On meme-gene coevolution

In this article we examine the effects of the emergence of a new replicator , memes, on the evolution of a pre-existing replicator, genes. Using a vers ion of the NKCS model we examine the effects of increasing the rate of meme evolution in relation to the rate of gene evolution, for various degrees o f interdependence between the two replicators. That is, the effects of meme s' (suggested) more rapid rate of evolution in comparison to that of genes is investigated using a tunable model of coevolution. It is found that, for almost any degree of interdependence between the two replicators, as the r ate of meme evolution increases, a phase transition-like dynamic occurs und er which memes have a significantly detrimental effect on the evolution of genes, quickly resulting in the cessation of effective gene evolution. Conv ersely, the memes experience a sharp increase in benefit from increasing th eir rate of evolution. We then examine the effects of enabling genes to red uce the percentage of gene-detrimental evolutionary steps taken by memes. H ere a critical region emerges as the comparative rate of meme evolution inc reases, such that if genes cannot effectively select memes a high percentag e of the time, they suffer from meme evolution as if they had almost no sel ective capability.