[simianwords]

Karp is likely aware of all this. You are right about genetics vs memetics difference but the point here is that genetic differences can affect us at memetic level. People with certain genetic aberrations have ideas that might win the memetic lottery

[dtagames]

That's a good observation. Dawkins might characterize that as a generic advantage that's only expressed in a particular environment. That is often a trigger for a successful change in the downstream DNA.

I can think of at least 5 prominent and very wealthy "leaders" who show signs of neurodivergence, including the negative aspect of decreased empathy. Their power and money magnifies those ill effects as well. Perhaps through neglect rather than ill will these people effect the death of many conspecific individuals.

If that succeeds in preventing those (large) populations from competing for resources with the elite rulers or, more likely, alleviates the need to care for them though programs like UBI, then it's an advantage of that "selfish gene." All of these outcomes map nicely to Dawkins's writing.