Static and Dynamic Memes

CR distinguishes static memes from dynamic memes:

• Static memes. Patterns of behaviour, like bird songs or hand-shaking. They exist but don't carry instructions for change.
• Dynamic memes. Patterns that contain instructions for their own evolution — recipes, scientific theories, computer programs.

Why the distinction

• Only dynamic memes can be improved by criticism. Static memes can be replaced, but not edited.
• Knowledge is dynamic memes. Recipes, theories, methods — they're instructions for action that can be criticised and refined.
• Evolution of dynamic memes is what CF calls knowledge evolution. Ideas evolve; habits are replaced.

Examples

• Static. A traditional dance, a religious ritual.
• Dynamic. A scientific theory, a programming language, a recipe with measurements.

CF's adoption

CF keeps the distinction:

• CF is itself a dynamic meme. It contains instructions for self-improvement via criticism.
• Paths Forward is a way to keep memes dynamic — making them criticisable.
• Automatized skills can become static memes if not updated.

"Static and dynamic memes" is one of CF's enumerated CR-specific concepts. — criticalfallibilism.com