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This page contains all of the posts and discussion on MemeStreams referencing the following web page: A new meme unfolds. You can find discussions on MemeStreams as you surf the web, even if you aren't a MemeStreams member, using the Threads Bookmarklet.
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A new meme unfolds
by possibly noteworthy at 7:00 am EST, Mar 4, 2008 |
Memeticist Susan Blackmore uses the hotel-bathroom toilet-paper fold as an example of a useless meme -- a meme that has spread throughout the world, even though there is no human reason for it to exist. The persistence of this meme easily disproves the comfortable notion that we humans only spread ideas that are useful or interesting -- it shows that, once a meme takes on life, it spreads itself. Inspired by Blackmore's research, origamist and TEDster Bruno Bowden created a combinatorial meme -- linking Blackmore's ideas with the sophisticated folding techniques discussed by origami master Robert J. Lang onstage at TED. To see what happened when Ze Frank was attacked by this meme on Day 4 of TED@Aspen, visit our Flickr set.
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RE: A new meme unfolds
by Decius at 11:56 am EST, Mar 4, 2008 |
possibly noteworthy wrote:
Memeticist Susan Blackmore uses the hotel-bathroom toilet-paper fold as an example of a useless meme -- a meme that has spread throughout the world, even though there is no human reason for it to exist.
Sorry to belabor something which obviously isn't the point, but the purpose of the fold is to imply that the toilet paper hasn't been used since the last time the bathroom was cleaned (and therefore its likely, not impossible, but likely, that no one else's posterior has been positioned on the bowl), and that the person who cleaned the bathroom took the time to sort out that little detail (therefore implying that they have taken care of other details with similar care). This person might as well have asked why we bother to fold dry towels when we place them next to the sink rather than leaving them in a clump! |
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