Are Memes & Internet Culture Creating a Singularity? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios

Here on the internet, we love us some memes. But where do they come from? Yes we know, they are user generated. But to an internet layman, they seem to just appear, in HUGE quantities, ready for cultural consumption. Are they a sign of a “cultural singularity”? Memes follow rules and code, are varied, self-referential, and seem to multiply at an ever increasing rate. It may seem like science fiction, but we’re close to a world where culture automatically and magically creates infinitely more culture.

Let us know what sorts of crazy ideas you have, about this episode and otherwise:
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Hosted by Mike Rugnetta (@mikerugnetta)
Made by Kornhaber Brown (http://www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Music Links:
Chris Mortimer: http://archive.org/details/Chills__Mortimers_Melody-9840
StatueOfDiveo: http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/352814/statueofdiveo
Mister Electric Demon: http://misterelectricdemon.bandcamp.com/
Wizwars : http://www22.us.archive.org/details/Game_Boy_Rock-7605
Roglock: http://archive.org/details/Out_Of_Disorder-4704

Nic Cage Links:
Pouring the Bees: http://youtu.be/hmHFjyYO0cE

Want some more Idea Channel?

Here’s last week’s episode: “Is Nic Cage the Intersection of YOLO and Taoism?” http://youtu.be/fOPNJl0PDP8

Want another one? Here ya go: “Are the Olympics A Model for Creating Geniuses?” http://youtu.be/PE-vSJh0N_A

You want more? Check this one out: “Is Dubstep Avant Garde Musical Genius?” http://youtu.be/3l_hy33-1Yw