❐ The term "meme" itself was coined by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book "The Selfish Gene." Dawkins used the term to describe cultural ideas, behaviors, or symbols that are transmitted from one person to another through imitation and replication, much like genes are passed down through generations.

❏ "The Selfish Gene" is a groundbreaking book by Richard Dawkins, published in 1976, that revolutionized the way we think about evolution and genetics. Summarized: Dawkins introduces the concept of the "selfish gene," which suggests that genes are the primary units of selection in evolution, rather than individuals or species. He argues that genes "selfishly" strive for their own replication and survival, influencing the behavior and characteristics of organisms in ways that maximize their chances of being passed on to future generations.

Dawkins explains how natural selection operates at the level of genes, driving the evolution of traits that enhance an organism's reproductive success. He introduces the idea of "replicators" as entities capable of producing copies of themselves, with genes being the most successful replicators known to science.

The book explores various aspects of evolutionary biology, including altruism, cooperation, sexual selection, and the evolution of social behavior. Dawkins uses examples from animal behavior and genetics to illustrate his arguments, demonstrating how seemingly altruistic behaviors can be explained by the self-interest of genes

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