One of the comments on my post What we can learn from the vulcans was from pR@tz. It read “Renji John, you are tagged @ a world of my own….”

It got me curious. Was this similar to the chain mail phenomenon we are so accustomed to in the e-mail world?

A few seconds of googling and wiki-ing later, I found out that this phenomenon had a name. It was called Internet Meme.

At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.

                                                                                   - Wikipedia

So I have been ‘memed’. This particular thread involves

• Posting about 5 different (personality types) characters I hate.
• Passing on the tags to 5 different bloggers

However, since I am a religious man (Jesus asked us to ‘love thy neighbors’), I have changed the rules a bit. I have decided to post five Blogs I read religiously. (and don’t blame me, pR@tz. Wikipedia does mention that Internet memes have a tendency to evolve. )

So, there it is. The meme is now on posting 5 blogs you read on almost a daily basis.

1. Zen Habits:

Zen Habits covers: achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, living in frugality, parenting, happiness, and successfully implementing good habits.

2. The art of Manliness

Generation X and Y is a generation of Lost Boys. We live in a Never-Never-Land where boys stay boys and never become men. More and more males today are putting off college, family, and adult responsibilities in order to play video games and do keg stands. Don’t believe me that today’s man is lost? How about some numbers?

• 2/3 of men in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
• Men only make up 42 percent of U.S. college students.
• The average male carries around $2,369 in credit-card debt.
• Three out of ten drink too much
• A majority of males between the ages of 30 and 18 receive greater financial support from their parents and has more debt than previous generations.
• The average adult man plays video games 7.6 hours per week.

The Art of Manliness is dedicated to helping men uncover what manliness means in the 21st century. What skills and knowledge should a 21st Century man acquire? What traits should they develop?

3. Creating Passionate Users

The Creating Passionate Users bloggers are all fascinated by brains, minds and what science can tell them about the practice of making users passionate about their lives and tools.

4. CNET News Blog

My source for techie news!!!

5. Paul Graham

A good read. Especially, if you are entrepreneur-ly inclined.

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There are posts I might disagree with, vehemently, in some of the above-mentioned blogs. But that doesn’t make them any inferior. If anything, that’s because they make me think. That is one reason I like them.

Now for the tags. Here’s the blog roll-call.

1. http://deepakleads.blogspot.com/ (A friend of mine I met at a PLM conference in Italy)

2. http://prabhagovind.wordpress.com/ (Friend and a former colleague)

3. http://4sometime.com/blog/ (I know this person only through her blogs)

4. http://eapenz.blogspot.com/ (a friend from college days)

5. http://emjay-online.blogspot.com/ (A cool guy to hang out with)