Jim Rutt defines a 'memetic tribe' as a collection of individuals united not by genetic ties or traditional cultural affiliations, but by a common set of ideas, values, and beliefs that propagate through social and digital networks. These tribes are bound together by shared memes — distinct, often ideologically charged units of cultural information that replicate and mutate as they spread from person to person. Unlike physical tribes that rely on proximity and kinship, memetic tribes exist in the realm of consciousness, shaping their members' worldview and identity through sustained engagement with specific narratives. Rutt emphasizes that these groups wield significant influence in contemporary society, as they can mobilize quickly and effectively around their core memes, engaging in collective actions, both online and offline, with profound sociopolitical ramifications.

See also: cultural evolution, emergence, evolutionary computing, evolutionary psychology, memetic warfare