# Applied Memetic Theory By [LGHT](https://paragraph.com/@lght) · 2023-10-18 --- After a lengthy (by internet standards) inquisition into the idea represented by the term _meme_, I attempted a canonization of the soft science most likely deemed _memetics_. Within the context of emergent crypto culture we studied the [Opepen art project by Jack Butcher & Jalil](https://opepen.art/), [Nouns DAO by the Nounders](https://nouns.wtf/), and the [Ethereum+ network company Zora](https://zora.co/). In hindsight we see that our understandings were resonant, and yet elementary in the amplified scope. Enter [Based Management](https://www.based.management/). A small scale onchain org cofounded by [Leighton Cusack](https://twitter.com/lay2000lbs) and myself. Leveraging [Nouns Builder tooling](https://nouns.build/), BM has begun wading through the crypto waters. This essay is focused on blueprinting the early _memetics_ of the project. Steal Like an Artist -------------------- The attempted innovation-quest we are on for Based Management finds its _uniqueness_ in the combination of _established_ understandings, designs, language, etc. More specifically, from Opepen, Nouns, and Zora. We’ve covered the [0 to 1 memetic interpretations](https://lght.mirror.xyz/qontuachyo0LRCmuALmwA3ugKq0EbXi8S-fH0Vr1t8o) of these three [hypercultures](https://lght.mirror.xyz/Av_4Vx1U9jDYgDzdrfWQD3FKuXUbMpQ9h5n-KlFz3KQ). So we’ll skip rehashing them and move on to the _second-order memetics_ pertinent to BM. ### Opepen What we’ve stolen from Opepen is their ‘opt-in’ meme. Jack and Jalil already had a token set. Whether that’s Checks or Opepen, the established contingency already possessed their cultural signifiers. This allowed for emphasis to rest on the people instead of the distribution. * opt in to modify your checks * opt in to solidify your opepens Additionally, anyone who resonates with the Opepen project can opt in conceptually (via art). This is where we found our first nugget to steal. BM’s [intern project](https://zora.co/collect/base:0xeac97752c40709f64fb2df084483508fe3b2d8f2) is our twist on opt-in. Anyone can mint BM related memes, art, design, content, audio, video, etc. If they earn 1000 mints from willing collectors onchain, they are brought into Based Management One’s DAO. With more BM treasuries on the horizon, we hope to see opt-in verticals for media of all formats emerge. Similar to Opepen, we allow any resonant party to have influence on who gets added to the project. ### Nouns With Nouns we’ve taken their auction and licensing models. The daily auction proved potent in attracting onchain attention. It made the close a daily quest for interested parties and provided a simple restart for the newly initiated. Our twists at BM are a curatorial approach. Instead of immediately available daily auctions, the founders amassed a chunk of tokens for considerate [contribution partnerships](https://zora.co/collect/base:0x32cff5c2a7233097efe3e8dc708d1df141780d69). We made the [auction](https://nouns.build/dao/base/0xB78b89EB81303a11CC597B4519035079453d8E31/21) cadence weekly as well so that Intern and Contributor paths have ample space to operate. Read more here: [https://lght.mirror.xyz/m-J7q20YX843S9HRFL649Zw5nZiYoyMjDsuIaRsfxdk](https://lght.mirror.xyz/m-J7q20YX843S9HRFL649Zw5nZiYoyMjDsuIaRsfxdk) Beyond the auction we made all branding, art, etc cc0. The power of cc0 has often been viewed as an _internal_ party handing off rights to an _external_ party. We are handing off rights to **both external and internal parties**. Based Management’s treasury is called _Based Management One_. We have chosen this name due to our desire to spin up more Based Management treasuries ourself. If someone already in-house wishes to create a new Based Management vertical they are encouraged to do so. If someone has just stumbled upon the project, they are equally encouraged to build on the network. A 15 minute added-context video here: [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e43dd9dd7540b446ac105ce77477fe1e3690007b636e68e3d95bda79671961ad.jpg)](https://twitter.com/notbylght) [wwwwwww](https://twitter.com/notbylght) [@notbylght](https://twitter.com/notbylght) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/notbylght/status/1713012466958114922) Based Management #0 early vision-design narrated by me ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1713010240856420352/img/GOlPT93B87o5rJto.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 28](https://twitter.com/notbylght/status/1713012466958114922)[ 9:02 PM • Oct 13, 2023 ](https://twitter.com/notbylght/status/1713012466958114922) ### Zora The theoretics behind their memetic icon (the zorb). A ball, a sphere, a vertex, a planet; I called the zorb an _abstract memetic icon_ in my [hypercultures](https://lght.mirror.xyz/Av_4Vx1U9jDYgDzdrfWQD3FKuXUbMpQ9h5n-KlFz3KQ) series. A more fluid and open-to-interpretation _hieroglyph_. Based Management has chosen a reinterpretation of the old Internet Explorer icon, using a B instead of E. We have also landed on a globe (signifying the World Wide Web). What we are trying to accomplish is an abstract, yet highly contextual/relevant _arena_ for memetic divergence. **The internet aesthetic as memetic iconography.** ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1ce9c3efce21e75c9f0c6af0ed6476762199084ddea129799b4bf649927f4556.png) Same Same, But Different ------------------------ The three hypercultures we have taken inspiration from have memetic blueprints local to their fundamental intentions. Based Management is no different. The puzzles we get to solve next are: * how expansive can memetic iconography be for a localized project? * can _internet aesthetic_ be a memetic icon? * if so, can corporate satire mesh for added divergence? * how localized do additional BM networks need to be if at all? * what are the memetics local to BM1 solely if any at all? --- *Originally published on [LGHT](https://paragraph.com/@lght/applied-memetic-theory)*