Memetic View of Terrorism

Uday Dandavate

Excerpts:

In this article I draw parallels between
the world of genes and the field of memes so that we can learn from the
programs, which eradicate viruses in the world of biology to help us
eradicate the viruses of the mind, which increase terrorism.

Biologist Richard Dawkins first introduced the concept of memes in his book,
The Selfish Gene (1976) to explain the evolutionary rationale for the spread
of ideas and cultural phenomena in society.

How do we fight the spread of the virus of the mind? Psychologists Abraham
Maslow and Victor Frankel have inferred that those who get the most out of
life are those who have some kind of higher-level life purpose.

Tolerance for cultural and religious diversity is central to immunizing our
minds from becoming the carriers of the terrorist meme. Plurality and
diversity are central to the creation of the universe. It is necessary to
train minds to harness limitless opportunities for innovation from diverse
cultures and ideas. We need to fight the memes that spread terrorism. The
fight begins in our own minds.