Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id DAA12120 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 19 May 2000 03:57:34 +0100 Message-ID: <392467F2.3E0DA5B5@mediaone.net> Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 23:00:18 +0100 From: Chuck Palson <cpalson@mediaone.net> X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.72 [en] (WinNT; I) X-Accept-Language: en To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Useless memes References: <20000518223559.91842.qmail@hotmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
For the same reason why baseball pitchers believe in magic or that anyone who
wants a sense of control in a lot of chaos. When I lived in Brazil, I noticed
that most Americans that lived with the Brazilians ended up after a while going
to the voodoo doctors ("Macembeiros"). I was surprised at myself that I almost
went despite my highly scientific attitude. How does it work in the brain? I
don't think anyone has any direct information on what part of the brain is
involved -- there are probably more important things to do with brain scanners
at this point. If you can find it, there was a study done several years ago on
the use of water divining rods in the southwest that had very interesting
results - but I can't remember them. It was something like the regions where
there was the least water and virtually no chance of water diviners finding
water, they had the best reputation for finding water!
Remember - I have said *perceived* use, because you can't always be right. But
this magic stuff does give some comfort and probably some other stuff.
Diana Stevenson wrote:
> Chuck wrote:
>
> <Well - I definitely owe you. I forget - did we sign an agreementon terms?
> But
> at any rate, I DO owe you. It's an interesting example I probably never
> would
> have thought of.>
>
> Chuck - I think you're right that it's strange no-one has convinced you of
> another useless meme, if there are supposed to be so many.
It's not that no one has convinced me. No one has even offered an example that
*they* think is useless. Some have said - oh, Chuck will just find something -
and don't even try. Methinks they know that *something* is not something they
want to hear. Just my humble opinion, of course! : )
> In what sense do you think astrology is useful? And why are horoscopes
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