Genes, memes, templates, and replicators

Abstract

Observed differences between living systems at the biological and social system levels may be attributable in part to differing characteristics of their templates. Biological templates are alpha-coded in genetic material. Social systems, on the other hand, employ beta- and gamma-coded instructions called memes that may constitute the bulk of their templates. A meme-based template, called a charter, is more mutable than a genetic template. Other interesting differences involve modes of reproduction of the system and replication of its template. This paper explores the similarities and differences between genetic and memic templates, and attempts to link them to convergent and divergent characteristics of biological and social systems.