acebook has always been a powerful force since it's inception into the world of social networking in 2004. It was no surprise to see it become the successful internet tycoon that it is, however, few likely would have guessed that we could use it to better understand digital evolution.
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Chris Wilson goes on to explain that the Facebook phenomenon "25 random things about me" or simply "25 things" is actually the end product of a fairly lengthy evolutionary path. Starting out as "16 random things about me" (also a prime number) the meme proved highly virile, but only for a short time. Subsequent re-imaginings, both varying in number of "things" and general content helped to keep the meme alive but it was only when the sweet spot of 25 was discovered that it really took off.
Wilson even discusses how after analyzing data he was able to determine that 25 thing's hey day corresponded with Facebook's month of highest traffic (as of Feb '09). So Mark Zuckerburg might want to consider thanking the little meme that could for the wintertime surge of popularity earlier this year.
Wilson continues with evidence from his talk with biologist Lauren Ancel Meyers who studies the spread of disease that suggests that the spread of 25 things closely mirrors that of an infectious strain. Wilson goes on to comment on the short lived nature of even the most popular of memes (also similar to many contagions). The meme, in it's various forms seems to come and go. It's spread out at an exponential rate but those that choose to participate almost always will do so within one week , meaning that there aren't many stragglers out there.
He closes by stating that a memes success often seems like a crap shoot so the best bet for acceptance is to simply flood the market with all sorts of ideas and hope that at least one takes root. "If evolution is any guide, however, there's no predicting what succeeds and what doesn't. Just look at the platypus".
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