Successful Blog

What Do You Call a Meme that Isn’t a Meme?

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Yes, Virginia, There Is Such a Thing

I get tagged A LOT by memes. Some are fun. Some are not. Some hit me as downright silly.

Don’t get me wrong. Some are quite fun to write and fun to read. Some are educational and informational. Some, however, suck eggs and are the epitome of egotistical kerfuffle.

Lately memes have looked less and less like a fun way to answer questions, and more and more like a way to boost a Technorati rank. That got me wondering just what a meme is. I was sure that a meme had something to do with ideas and culture.

What is a Meme Anyway?

In his book, The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition–with a new Introduction by the Author, Richard Dawkins coined the term, meme, (rhymes with dream) to mean an idea that can replicate and evolve to spread through the culture. Memes are basic idea units that move, mutate, and adapt. They are the cultural equivalent of genes.

Beyond the personal belief about God is the idea of god as a cultural meme. Dawkins explained that God exists culturally. Here’s the page where Dawkins explained what he called the “god meme” and why it survives.

The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins, p. 193

How Do Memes Spread?

Memes mutate, crossover from generation to generation. adapt, and change. They spread in ways more subtle than blog posts and tags that branch out by five times five.

It’s suggested that memes survive the same as genes — through natural selection. Six conditions can effect the ability of a meme to spread.

  1. Experience If a meme correlates with your experience you are likely to spread it.
  2. Pleasure or Pain If a meme has caused a feeling of pleasure or pain, you are more likely to remember it and to pass it on.
  3. Fear/Hope If a meme promises a future, a threat, a cause, a philosphy, a reward, or great benefit, you are more likely to believe it and spread it.
  4. Censorship If a meme is censored, it can be destroyed.
  5. Economics If those with money exhibit a preference for certain memes, those memes will have an advantage, will be imitated and spread.
  6. Distinction The memes of leaders, intelligent people, and celebrities will spread more easily.

I suppose one could argue that blogging is a meme. But I’d have to say those blog posts that link back and tag five people forward would have to be memetic mutations.

I like the ones that tell more about the blogger . . . but I can’t get my head around calling them memes anymore. Anyone have suggestion about how to introduce a meme to rename the things that we have misnamed as memes?

How’s that for a problem?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOBCon Bad Poetry: Ode to Troy Worman

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For Troy of the 23 Blog Designs a Day

Sofitel Chicago Ohare

In a hotel, northeast of Wendy’s usual location,
on May 11-12, you’ll be finding Troy Worman in Orbit around a another new blogging creation.

These days, I wonder whether Orbit man, Troy Worman, somehow cast a spell on five folks to get SOBCon to start.
Could be that he wanted a chance to meet Ann Michael and Steve Farber at an event that was built from both head and heart?

Orbit Man, did you secretly plan SOBCon to have somewhere to link?
Orbit Man, your power, your glory, your constant design changes make flowers stand tall and weeds shrink.

A ways east of where David Armano lives is the hotel where bloggers will descend.
That the Wor-man has decreed loudly about the 10 Reasons to Attend

Then you point to the Phil Gerbyshak on SOBcon at Essential Keystrokes interview
Char and so many others know link love is always coming from just about everything you do.

Orbit Man, did you secretly plan SOBCon to have somewhere to link?
Orbit Man, your power, your glory, your constant design changes make bloggers smile, investigate, and think.

So I write this bad poetry to you, Mr. Worman, Orbit Now! Man.
I’ve made it a mission. I gave myself permission. I’ve made up my mind.
I’m going to meet the guy, who is so generous, because I need to know
if he changes his clothes as often as he changes his blog design.

Thanks, Troy, for everything.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
SOBCon 07 It’s incredible. Are you coming?

To My Friend, Wendy, the Inspired Entrepreneur

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I agree

Yesterday at her blog, my friend, Wendy Piersall, wrote what she called The Biggest Blog Post of My Life. It started with these words.

Let me start at the beginning. Not at the beginning of this blog. Not even at the beginning of this decade. I’ll start at the beginning of my career. Why? Because this is a journey that has been tragic and difficult, exhilarating and amazing. I want to start at the beginning, because I want you to see yourself in this post. I want you to come with me, because I want you to write a post like this yourself someday, too. (Oh, God, I’m crying already.)

Wendy Piersall

It’s a fabulous story about an amazing and intelligent woman, who is beautiful inside and out, who knows how to live her life with every bit of the person she is.

It’s a kick and an honor to know her. Won’t you go read her good news and join me in celebrating with her? Click the title below to read her story.

Liz's Signature

Blog Herald Today: The Writer’s Dilemma and the Blogger’s Secret

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Writing and Blogging — The Difference

We often talk about writing and blogging. Go see what bloggers have that writers do not.

Quote after quote tells the story of writers who know that they have to go it alone. Every blogger worth his or her blogging salt knows the same thing.

Yet we do it. Why do we do it? We have a secret.

Read the whole feature in today’s Blog Herald by clicking the logo.

It’s about blogging and real life.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
sobcon-07, sobevent.com, the-blog-herald

Related articles
Liz Strauss at The Blog Herald, The Blogging Times, and Who’s One in a Million?

Interview 15.5: Jeff Addresses My Fear of Losing All of My Money

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Jeff Brown pix

Last week Jeff Brown, real estate investment advisor, explained quite a bit about the hows and whys of real estate invement. He described the process, the myths that get the way of most people enjoying a work-free retirement, and a positive way to respond to a bad market situation. I’m left with only one question.

All right Jeff. You’ve got my attention. But at the end of the day, I really have only one question. How do you make sure I don’t lose all of my money?

The short answer is there’s no way I know of to make sure you don’t lose money. Losing all your money is something I’ve only heard about, and I’ve been doing this for close to four decades now. Be clear about this – nobody can ensure you don’t lose money when investing. It’s simply not possible. And if someone tells you they can – run.

It’s called risk capital for a reason.

That said, we do everything possible to see how far away from the cliff’s edge we can get. The idea after all is to go from point A to point B. Since retirement is most likely your point B, skirting the cliff is probably not appealing to you anyway. So what do we do to make investing as safe as possible?

First, we refuse to work with an investor who won’t have a reserve account. (Remember Sominex?) There are very few exceptions to this rule. The most recent was a man who has consistently earned over $30K a month for the last eight years. A bill for $900 isn’t going to ruin his day.

This reserve account is abundant in nature. Typically for a client who spends $100K to acquire 3-4 properties, a reserve account should be at least $30K — at least. We find ways for the client to make this happen.

The lion’s share of your capital’s security is established through the solid research done by either you or your advisor. How reliable is your conclusion that the area you like is really poised for long-term growth? Is the professional property management firm you found really as good as Uncle Farley said? Do you have reliable and experienced inspectors lined up? And how experienced is your lender? Many lenders will say they know investments, but most couldn’t find a solid investment loan with two helpers and a GPS. Do they even know what the right loan is for you and this particular property?

How about he subtle nuances of making the rental units appealing to prospective tenants – without breaking the bank to do so? Are you a softie? When tenants stop paying, and trust me, no matter how fine the filter, you will have bad tenants — what will you do? Let them stay for three more rentless months, or evict them and cut your losses?

This question goes to the root of the #1 axiom of investing: First protect the capital – THEN protect the return on the capital.

Solid research, having the right pros in place, and ensuring an abundant Sominex account before you even begin, will go a very long way to helping you avoid the loss of your capital. Being consistently involved, or at least in the loop, will be a key.

Finally, I’ll quote one of my favorite people, Warren Buffet. He was responding to a question referring to the strategy of diversification. In short, that strategy has the investor’s capital in opposing investments. For instance, if stocks go one way, bonds usually go the other. So the principle of diversification puts some money in both. Here’s what Mr. Buffet had to say about that:

“Diversification is for people who don’t know what they’re doing.”

Know exactly what you’re doing and why. It’s your capital’s best protection. If you don’t know, and don’t have time to learn it all, then find an experienced advisor.

“Know what you’re doing.” I feel like I know a WHOLE lot more now.

Thank you, Mr. Brown. You’ve made us all more prepared.

Understanding and tracking investments can be a full-time job. It’s not something that will take care of itself. That’s why we have investment advisors to help us out. Find advisors you decide are intelligent and have integrity. Never feel like you’re being asked to take an off-the-rack plan. Have your planners justify why their choices are individually suited for you.

Even when your investment is small, your advisors should believe that you are with them because they are going to make your investment grow. So it’s to their benefit to pay attention to you. If they don’t have time, do what you do on the Internet, move on to one who knows how valuable you are.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Jeff offers a free case study in the sidebar at his own blog BawldGuy Talking. Jeff also writes as a contributor at the Bloodhound Realty blog. Jeff will be attending SOBCon 07 in Chicago on May 11-12.

Related
Interview 15.3: Jeff Walks Us Through the Process
Interview 15.2: Jeff Talks about the Two Myths that Get in Our Way
Interview 15.1: Jeff Brown, Real Estate Investment Advisor

Interview 15.4: Jeff Talks about the Real Estate Market

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Jeff, My Market Is Stinky

Jeff Brown pix

Yesterday Jeff Brown, real estate investment advisor, showed us how the process works. Now he has to answer the question that I have.

Jeff, my town’s real estate market is terrible. Should I wait until it’s better?

I’ve been hearing that question for some time now from many parts of the country. Let’s step back and look at the big picture. You have more options than you may believe.

I’m based in San Diego where the real estate market is worse than some and better than others. But nobody would say it’s currently a good market. I have many investors from here who have invested not only out of town, but out of state. Some have acquired properties in two states. Why?

Since your capital doesn’t know where it’s invested, you can go anywhere you like. There’s literally no strong argument for staying local just to be local. There’s nothing magical in being able to drive by your property. It might give you the warm and fuzzies, but if your area is terrible, your choices are limited.

You can either invest somewhere else, or not invest while you wait for your town’s market to recover.

In San Diego, that’s never going to happen. Don’t get me wrong — our market will regain its equilibrium. But in the next 5-10 years what investor in their right minds is going to pay $750,000 for a 40 year old duplex in a nice, but blue collar area of town? Not my clients, that’s for sure.

So exactly what are your options?

First understand there are growth regions out there. Don’t believe everything you read, see, or hear in the media. Bad news sells newspapers, and air time.

You can readily access areas offering very well located affordable investment properties, just waiting for your capital. People just like you have come to my office from San Diego, and after hearing about the Phoenix area, ended up investing in 2-6 properties there. The same thing is now happening in pockets all over the country. Austin, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver, and I could go on.

Should you let your local depressed market delay your investment agenda? No way.

So what should you do? (You mean besides call a very knowledgeable real estate investment advisor Jeff?) J

Before you even think about making any offers anywhere you need to have your property management in hand. This sounds easy, but trust me, most of them aren’t worth the time it takes to pull out of their parking lot. If you’re investing in another region, property management will be your best friend – or your worst nightmare. Make your choice wisely.

And finally, what’s the best part of investing in a far off city? You can’t drive by. You don’t get those 2 A.M. phone calls complaining about the stove’s pilot light. You’re not cleaning a newly vacated rental in preparation for a new tenant. Instead, you go to the movies or enjoy reading about how much your investments are appreciating in value. Investing out of town needn’t be difficult, but it does require you to be purposeful at every turn.

Should you wait until your town bounces back? You should if you can afford to tread the financial waters without hindering your retirement. Most people don’t have the luxury of wasting several years while their investment capital stagnates.

Make the move.

Jeff, you’ve made a difference in how I think about this subject.

Understanding and tracking investments can be a full-time job. It’s not something that will take care of itself. That’s why we have investment advisors to help us out. Find advisors you decide are intelligent and have integrity. Never feel like you’re being asked to take an off-the-rack plan. Have your planners justify why their choices are individually suited for you.

Even when your investment is small, your advisors should believe that you are with them because they are going to make your investment grow. So it’s to their benefit to pay attention to you. If they don’t have time, do what you do on the Internet, move on to one who knows how valuable you are.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Jeff offers a free case study in the sidebar at his own blog BawldGuy Talking. Jeff also writes as a contributor at the Bloodhound Realty blog. Jeff will be attending SOBCon 07 in Chicago on May 11-12.

Related
Interview 15.3: Jeff Walks Us Through the Process
Interview 15.2: Jeff Talks about the Two Myths that Get in Our Way
Interview 15.1: Jeff Brown, Real Estate Investment Advisor