Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id WAA20866 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sat, 3 Jun 2000 22:10:51 +0100 From: "Richard Brodie" <richard@brodietech.com> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Cui bono, Chuck? Date: Sat, 3 Jun 2000 14:08:44 -0700 Message-ID: <NBBBIIDKHCMGAIPMFFPJOEJGEOAA.richard@brodietech.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal In-Reply-To: <39384464.D0AE344B@mediaone.net> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Chuck wrote:
<<Are you aware that Pinker completely disagrees with memetics?>>
He didn't mention that to me when I talked to him a year and a half ago,
although he certainly wasn't an expert on the subject. Forgive me if I don't
take your word for it.
[RB]
The question is, does every single
> individual in the society invent the solution on his own, or do a few
people
> invent the solution and then it spreads memetically?
<<In a way, yes.>>
Well, that was an either-or question and you answered "yes." How am I
supposed to take that?
<< Have you ever heard the term "make it your own?" Someone else may
appear to have created a solution, but until you try it yourself, "make it
your
own", you don't know for sure. Reverse engineering seems like mere imitation
to
laymen until they actually try it. It can sometimes be as difficult as the
actual invention - requiring as much creativity as the original.>>
You are describing one of the many processes by which memes are transmitted.
I think Blackmore put you off with her emphasis on imitation, which is
particular to her and a couple others.
<<However, in a society where everyone specializes in a particular area, you
have
to let them do it for you, and **they** have to make sure it works.
I'm sure I could think of other things involved in this business of
"memetic"
spread, but that's a start.>>
I don't know what you were attempting to demonstrate here.
<<For the same reason that Pinker would say it is diametrically opposed. He
finds
not one shred of credibility in memetics.>>
I find your appeal to Steven Pinker's supposed opinion to be rather weak.
Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com www.memecentral.com/rbrodie.htm
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