LISTEN UP LEMMINGS.

We repeatly get comments asking if something is a science meme. It is one of my favourite and least favorite questions, depending on the respect given from the commenter, so I am writing this out for clarity. Some of you have picked up on how this all works, some have not. Regardless, class is in session. There are three simple things to keep in mind for posts here:

1. Definition (Dawkins definition, think IDEAS, not simply image macros)
2. Purpose (provoking curiosity, not simply filing facts), and
3. Moderation philosophy (vibe over rules, light pruning)

So, if you are ever here asking: "Is this a science meme?" The answer is: Probably, yes. We use the Dawkins definition of meme: a replicating idea, not just an image macro with a fact on it. A good post here doesn't need to teach you something. It needs to make you ask something: who, what, where, when, and especially why or how (though we do love a bit of slapstick too, of course).

Science is a conversation, not simply a filing cabinet of facts. For example, a photo of an eel or other localized wildlife counts because most people never see one, and wonder is the first step of inquiry. A car meme counts if it makes you curious about what's under the bonnet. If you want to talk about something you noticed in the world, chances are someone else wants to talk about it too. Academic journals are essentially like old school, pre-computer forums.

We moderate for vibe, not category. Pruning is light, especially where a post creates interesting discussion. Experimenting is encouraged.

See the pinned paper on Shitposting as Public Pedagogy if you want the academic case for why this works.

tl;dr: Y'all are in my petri dish. Semi abridged version added to the sidebar, ciao.