Perhaps they're referring to memes like these
this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
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lol a meme is literally just an idea.
Free exchange of ideas is the core concept of democracy.
Therefore, may I say, the free exchange of ideas poses a threat to the US financial system. May I add "It always was".
Exactly, and the report uses the term "memetic" to distinguish from its frequent use to mean "image macro". Unfortunately the article headline chose to confuse things.
"Advanced memetic engineering attacks could progressively undermine trust in financial markets and institutions, causing a steady, incremental impact on market stability rather than a sudden breakdown“
RAND Corporation, Technological and Economic Threats to the US Financial System, July 2024
The article body does a good job covering the topic, its a shame they chose such a clumsy headline.
Image memes were never the only memes in internet lingo, and the original Dawkins term is exactly how they're using it, as the analogue for gene, but with ideas generally. That's all fine.
But that makes their core concept "people might spread ideas we don't like".
I made enough off my dogecoin to pay off my student loans, and it pleases me that the meme investing crowd actively took billions away from hedge funds.
It sucks having to pay for things like that, but it feels good that they're gone. I only hope one day they all get abolished.
