Before applying several issues to the evolution of a strategy, a short summary. Above I have firstly introduced the meme-gene analogy from Dawkins and Hull. I have shown that memes are replicators forming lineages that can disseminate through unit-pools involving brains as the physical structures that replicate them. In doing so I have tried to show that the implicitly mixed use of metaphors from biology does not help to make memetic issues more clear. Secondly I have focused on selective processes involved in the meme-gene analogy, since this part of the analogy can be approached in different ways. Although there are probably more issues I have not examined, than the ones I have, I believe I have described some key-issues in the meme-gene analogy. With those issues clearly in mind, it will be easier to picture processes where memes disseminate, are involved in the selection of other memes, etc. Issues touched only lightly, deserving more elaboration are numerous. I would like to mention the genotype-phenotype distinction applied to memes. Memes can be instructions like genes, but do not have to be. I do not see how songs, and replicated desires are instructions for instance. Another issue that could be elaborated upon is the selection of memes by memes, for instance when some memes must be mastered, before other memes can be used. or where 'ways of thought' and cultural habits play a role in the selection of memes. The last issue that needs some elaboration is a classification of types of memes, since meme types like songs, beliefs, ways of thought, norms and values and concepts seem to be very different things.
The next step in this essay will be the description of a particular class of social or memetic evolution, being the selective evolution of a strategy held by an organization to achieve goals. In this second part I will build on the concepts examined above, adding one or two along the ride.
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