Recently, I received a message from someone that I had been “memed”. The invitation to participate in what is ostensibly a chain letter, said -

“A meme is an internet game similar to a chain letter except you post on line.”

I think when Richard Dawkins (the foremost authority on genetics, atheism, and a profoundly critical thinker) first coined the term "meme", he had a definition in mind that is far different from an "internet game".

Memes propagate themselves and can move through a "culture" in a manner similar to the behavior of a virus. The inaccurately-defined practice of memeing someone is dependent upon a chain-letter that is forced upon other individuals not unlike other marketing chain-letters we’ve all been asked to participate in from time-to-time.

I think it's great to use the Internet to get to know people better, but this behavior of sharing information about yourself (or requesting information about others) really doesn't fit the definition of a meme, and is not an act of "memeing"[?].

When I see someone write "Meme’s are social games that help folks get to know each other." (as Matthew Rathbun did), I cringe because this couldn't be more inaccurate or misleading. Memes evolve by natural selection - there is nothing naturally selective about "meming someone" in the context I‘ve observed it being used.

I'm not sure where or how this inaccuracy about the term got started, but ironically, the spread of this through ActiveRain and the blogosphere is itself a meme. As wide and incorrect use of this term spreads through our culture -- being passed from one person to another with mutations and typically an increased mischaracterization of its true meaning – it continues to spread like a virus just as Dawkins suggests memes would.

The continual misuse of the term is a pattern that is subject to inheritance, variation, mutation, and competition. And also (as Dawkins observed), memes will not necessarily mutate with the best interests of the hosts in mind.  I see no evidence that the numerous chain-letters invoked under the premise of a “meme”, have inherited any attributes, nor have they evolved or mutated.

Here’s a meme -

As a culture, we should attempt to be more accurate in the definitions we use for communications and characterization of actions and activities.

Spread the word. ;-)

Google BlogSearch handvertising

Handvertising is one of those brilliant "Duh!" moments. When I was very young and I tried to create an illusion of homework completion, my dad used to say Does it say Stupid across my forehead? I thought his forehead did say that of course. But what if it said Coca-Cola?

I can recall a promotional reception I attended at a computer conference in San Diego quite sometime ago. It was in the night-life district at a hip mexican bar - lots of fun; great food. But to gain access, I had to get my hand stamped at a trade show booth of the sponsoring company - the stamp said "DUMBO". I had to explain this hand stamp all day as I walked the show floor - some jokes just write themselves.

What if it said "Intel Inside" or "Lexus"? Much easier to explain and a lot less insulting. ;-) More important - thousands of brand impressions at near zero cost. Hmmm...

But they need to take this to the next level...

• Color (a must for brand savvy firms)
• Glow-in-the-dark inks
• Ultra-fast, Internet-based production process
• Web-based stamp printing (I have no clue how to do this, but imagine getting a stamp via your printer)
• Viral stamp sharing (for some events you want to spread the invitations - shake hands, pass the stamp?)

This reminds me of PaceTat which makes tatoo-like pacing guides for runners. But they have found a far more lucrative market. What's interesting for marketers is the branding opportunity: PaceTat offers custom branded versions for advertisers. Priced from USD 0.39 each, depending on order quantity, PaceTat's pacing guides present marketers with a unique canvas for conveying a message that literally sticks with the consumer until it’s washed off. The company, which was founded earlier this year, has already sold over 30,000 branded pacing guides. (They picked a desirable audience, too. In the US, the running market is notable for its median household income of roughly USD 113,000, according to Runner's World.)