Did Somebody say, "McMEME?"

(All your base are belong to us)

The word, "McDonaldization" is a perfect example of how memes work. The word can be traced to sociologist, George Ritzer and his book, The McDonaldization of Society - An Investigation into the Changing Character of Contemporary Social Life. In its lifespan of 10 years (or so) it has spread from the lexicon of sociological theory and into the front line of global thought.

Try unbundling this meme. It has deep roots... from the Dead Sociologists like Max Weber to what contemporary social psychologists like Ellen Langer call "mindlessness." The meme has been applied to education..

What does "McDonaldization" mean to you? What is the "iron cage of rationality?" What does it have to do with "efficiency, predictability. calculability and control?"

Excerpt from THE MATRIX:

"The Matrix is everywhere, it's all around us, here even in this room. You can see it out your window, or on your television. You feel it when you go to work, or go to church or pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth."

"What truth?"

"That you are a slave, Neo. That you, like everyone else, was born into bondage... ... kept inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind."

Are memes the "world that has been pulled" over our eyes? Can we uncover them like the Matrix? Can memes be helpful? What causes information to be "overhyped" or "under-reported?" What makes something so obvious so invisible? To quote a German who witnessed the nazi meme machine:

"All those who had wondered how the German people could have stood by and allowed a patent evil to overtake their country and good sense, probably know now at last. It's happening before their very eyes."

Why do we avoid the "F-word?" Why are others saying it?

Here are some more links about McDonaldization, Mind(ful-less)ness, and memes. Dig in!

http://www.mcspotlight.org/

http://www.stedwards.edu/bss/farrall/mcdonize.htm

http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/Illumina%20Folder/kell30.htm

http://web.simmons.edu/~chen/nit/NIT'96/96-171-Larney.html

http://www.newhorizons.org/neuro/front_neuro.html

http://www.workingpsychology.com/mindfl.html

http://www.roosevelt.edu/misj/article-psythemes.htm

http://users.lycaeum.org/~sputnik/Memetics/bible.html

Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.... Remember, all I'm offering is the truth, nothing more....