Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id XAA17180 (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 23:31:29 +0100 Message-ID: <39257B10.F8037299@mediaone.net> Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 18:34:08 +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: Technology vs. culture References: <NBBBIIDKHCMGAIPMFFPJOEHKENAA.richard@brodietech.com> <3925BE02.4F13FAE8@pacbell.net> 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
Bill Spight wrote:
> Dear Richard,
>
> > Exceptions don't prove rules.
> > They DISprove rules, don't they? I've heard this phrase used before and
> > never understood what it could mean.
>
> It's a good example of meme mutation.
>
> "Prove" and "probe" are cognates. An exception probes the rule,
> it tests it. The meaning of the phrase has altered over time.
That's very interesting. I do, however, have a problem calling it a mutation.
Mutations are accidents of the system - like a stray UV ray mutates a gene. I
don't see how this is necessary a random process -- it sounds like it could
have been a deliberate mataphorical process - of using a word metaphorically
to describe another event. Also, I am a bit confused about what altered. Are
you saying that probe altered into prove?
How would memetics see this differently from etymology - is there a
difference?
> Nowadays it is used as a defense of a general proposition (the
> rule). Just because a generalization has exceptions does not
> disprove it.
Do you mean "necessarily disprove." -- because an exception *can* disprove a
rule if it doesn't deepen it. That is, if it is more than merely an apparent
exception.
> Best,
>
> Bill
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