26
Mar
One of Britain’s leading public intellectuals, Professor Richard Dawkins celebrates his 80th birthday today.
In 1976, his book "The Selfish Gene" was published that established Professor Dawkins as a leading figure in evolutionary theory, which polularised the idea that replicating genes are the central force behind evolution, not individual organisms or species.
English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author played a significant role in advancing modern media studies by introducing a new term 'meme' – a unit of cultural information spread by imitation. A new discipline studying memes and their connections to their carriers was established based on Dawkins' theory.
BRAMS Institute wishes Professor Richard Dawkins a very Happy Birthday!