--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the biggest mistakes that people…" description: "\"One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they think about memes is they try to extend on the analogy with genes. That's not how it works. It w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/susan-blackmore-24318_analogies_one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-that-people_437917.jpg" --- # One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they… ![“One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they think about memes is they try to extend on the analogy with genes. That's not how it works. It works by realizing the concept of a replicator.” quote by Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/susan-blackmore-24318_analogies_one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-that-people_437917.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/susan-blackmore-24318_analogies_one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-that-people_437917.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/susan-blackmore-24318_analogies_one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-that-people_437917.jpg) > “One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they think about memes is they try to extend on the analogy with genes. That's not how it works. It works by realizing the concept of a replicator.” [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Memes spread by replication, not by genetic analogy; they are ideas that copy themselves. **In simple terms:** Memes copy themselves like ideas. Key Takeaway Focus on replication mechanisms. Themes cultural evolution memetics ideas Mood analytical curious Type theoretical educational When to use this quote - marketing - education - social media - viral content Key Concepts replicator theory information theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you design ideas to replicate? - What limits meme spread? A Different Perspective Memes can be influenced by human agency, not just passive copying. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Analogies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analogies/) [Analogy Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analogy-genes-3846035/) [Biggest mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest-mistake/) [Concept Replicator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concept-replicator-3846038/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genes/) [Memes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memes/) [Memes Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memes-try-3846037/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Think Memes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-memes-3846036/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Working it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-it/) ## Related quotes > [If you found a mammal with feathers, then you'd know that Darwin was wrong. Well, it's rather the same with memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/if-you-found-a-mammal-with-feathers-then-you-d-know-that-darwin-was/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Certainly almost everything we do and think is colored in some way by memes, but it is important to realize that not everything we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/certainly-almost-everything-we-do-and-think-is-colored-in-some-way-by/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [ 'Temes' \[technology-enhanced memes\] don't care about us - they simply want to create more of themselves. Don't think we created the internet for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/temes-technology-enhanced-memes-don-t-care-about-us-they-simply-want/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Consciousness is an illusion constructed by the memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/consciousness-is-an-illusion-constructed-by-the-memes/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [All other species on this planet are gene machines only. They don't imitate at all well; we alone are gene machines and meme machines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/all-other-species-on-this-planet-are-gene-machines-only-they-don-t/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Imagine a world full of brains, and far more memes than can possibly find homes. Which memes are more likely to find a safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/imagine-a-world-full-of-brains-and-far-more-memes-than-can-possibly/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [If everyone understood evolution, then the tyranny of religious memes would be weakened, and we little humans might find a better way to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/if-everyone-understood-evolution-then-the-tyranny-of-religious-memes/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Free will and consciousness is an illusion, and the self is a complex of memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/free-will-and-consciousness-is-an-illusion-and-the-self-is-a-complex/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [The sale of sex in modern societies is not about spreading genes. Sex has been taken over by the memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/the-sale-of-sex-in-modern-societies-is-not-about-spreading-genes-sex/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [You start by copying other people's paintings or music or whatever. You get all of those skills before you branch out. Really creative people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/you-start-by-copying-other-people-s-paintings-or-music-or-whatever/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [For memes, I have an entire iPhone folder of photos that I've taken or saved because I find something about them hilarious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaboukie-young-white/for-memes-i-have-an-entire-iphone-folder-of-photos-that-i-ve-taken-or/) [Jaboukie Young-White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaboukie-young-white/) > [We are built as gene machines and cultured as meme machines, but we have the power to turn against our creators. We, alone on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-are-built-as-gene-machines-and-cultured-as-meme-machines-but-we/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [ We're \[also\] trying to talk to a generation who grew up on the Internet. They're digital natives, and, essentially, they speak through sequential storytelling.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-aydin/we-re-also-trying-to-talk-to-a-generation-who-grew-up-on-the-internet/) [Andrew Aydin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-aydin/) > [Would you want people walking up to you and pointing at your d--k? I can't believe I'm still talking about this. But I've worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hamm/would-you-want-people-walking-up-to-you-and-pointing-at-your-d-k-i/) [Jon Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hamm/) > [All religious vows, codes, and commitments are null & void herein. Please refrain from contaminating the ideosphere with harmful memes through prayer, reverence, holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-erwin/all-religious-vows-codes-and-commitments-are-null-void-herein-please/) [Greg Erwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-erwin/) ## More by Susan Blackmore > [For the planet's sake, I hope we have bird flu or some other thing that will reduce the population, because otherwise we're doomed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/for-the-planet-s-sake-i-hope-we-have-bird-flu-or-some-other-thing/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Just as the design of our bodies can be understood only in terms of natural selection, so the design of our minds can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/just-as-the-design-of-our-bodies-can-be-understood-only-in-terms-of/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [You start by copying other people's paintings or music or whatever. You get all of those skills before you branch out. Really creative people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/you-start-by-copying-other-people-s-paintings-or-music-or-whatever/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Take male strategies for success in the world. If you've got all the advantages, if you're attractive and clever and all of that, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/take-male-strategies-for-success-in-the-world-if-you-ve-got-all-the/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [The sale of sex in modern societies is not about spreading genes. Sex has been taken over by the memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/the-sale-of-sex-in-modern-societies-is-not-about-spreading-genes-sex/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [In proportion to our body mass, our brain is three times as large as that of our nearest relatives. This huge organ is dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/in-proportion-to-our-body-mass-our-brain-is-three-times-as-large-as/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Free will and consciousness is an illusion, and the self is a complex of memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/free-will-and-consciousness-is-an-illusion-and-the-self-is-a-complex/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [If everyone understood evolution, then the tyranny of religious memes would be weakened, and we little humans might find a better way to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/if-everyone-understood-evolution-then-the-tyranny-of-religious-memes/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Finally, we might decide that civilisation itself is worth preserving. In that case we have to work out what to save and which people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/finally-we-might-decide-that-civilisation-itself-is-worth-preserving/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Imagine a world full of brains, and far more memes than can possibly find homes. Which memes are more likely to find a safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/imagine-a-world-full-of-brains-and-far-more-memes-than-can-possibly/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [All other species on this planet are gene machines only. They don't imitate at all well; we alone are gene machines and meme machines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/all-other-species-on-this-planet-are-gene-machines-only-they-don-t/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [“What happens when an animal or person dies? Something seems to have departed--something like a vital spark that makes the difference between life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/what-happens-when-an-animal-or-person-dies-something-seems-to-have/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [I have not come up with anything original. It needs a better brain than mine! I have done what I can do in taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/i-have-not-come-up-with-anything-original-it-needs-a-better-brain/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [Consciousness is an illusion constructed by the memes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/consciousness-is-an-illusion-constructed-by-the-memes/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) > [ 'Temes' \[technology-enhanced memes\] don't care about us - they simply want to create more of themselves. Don't think we created the internet for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-blackmore/temes-technology-enhanced-memes-don-t-care-about-us-they-simply-want/) [Susan Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) [Explore all 24 Susan Blackmore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-blackmore/) ## More Analogies quotes > [I always use the analogy that when you go to a jeans store and put on a new pair of jeans, it's a pair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bana/i-always-use-the-analogy-that-when-you-go-to-a-jeans-store-and-put-on/) [Eric Bana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bana/) > [ Kanye \[West\] just says the funniest analogies that are so random. I should start keeping a book - in 20 years, I'll have a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/kanye-west-just-says-the-funniest-analogies-that-are-so-random-i/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [Historical analogy is the last refuge of people who can't grasp the current situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/historical-analogy-is-the-last-refuge-of-people-who-can-t-grasp-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Calvin: Today for show and tell, I've brought a tiny miracle of nature: a single snowflake! I think we might all learn a lesson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/calvin-today-for-show-and-tell-i-ve-brought-a-tiny-miracle-of-nature/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [For some people, getting pregnant is as easy as catching cold." And there certainly was an analogy there: Colds and babies were both caused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/for-some-people-getting-pregnant-is-as-easy-as-catching-cold-and/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [That is why the analogy of stealing does not work. With a thief, we want to know how much money he or she stole,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-foss/that-is-why-the-analogy-of-stealing-does-not-work-with-a-thief-we/) [Lukas Foss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-foss/) > [The nude does not simply represent the body, but relates it, by analogy, to all structures that have become part of our imaginative experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clark/the-nude-does-not-simply-represent-the-body-but-relates-it-by-analogy/) [Kenneth Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clark/) > [His lessons were chock-full of analogies for a variety of musical situations. Those little things were my favorites. 'No . . . that's too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-laureano/his-lessons-were-chock-full-of-analogies-for-a-variety-of-musical/) [Manny Laureano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-laureano/) > [E-books are impervious to analogy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/e-books-are-impervious-to-analogy/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Imagination runs out. But it makes sense, right? We probably just imagine things based on what we already know, and we run out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sloan/imagination-runs-out-but-it-makes-sense-right-we-probably-just/) [Robin Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sloan/) > [Apt analogies are among the most formidable weapons of the rhetorician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/apt-analogies-are-among-the-most-formidable-weapons-of-the-rhetorician/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [In my photographic work I'm generally attracted to places that contain memories, history, atmospheres and stories. I'm interested in the places where people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kenna/in-my-photographic-work-i-m-generally-attracted-to-places-that/) [Michael Kenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kenna/) > [There is then no analogy whatever between the operations of the Chess-Player, and those of the calculating machine of Mr. Babbage , and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/there-is-then-no-analogy-whatever-between-the-operations-of-the-chess/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [The real achievement in discoveries... is seeing an analogy where no one saw one before... The essence of discovery is that unlikely marriage of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-real-achievement-in-discoveries-is-seeing-an-analogy-where-no-one/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [The expressive techniques of painting are capable of conveying an analogy but not an impossible photograph of a moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edouard-vuillard/the-expressive-techniques-of-painting-are-capable-of-conveying-an/) [Edouard Vuillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edouard-vuillard/) [Browse all 311 Analogies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analogies/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they think about memes is they try to extend on the analogy with genes. That's not how it works. 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