Re: memetics-digest V1 #1302

From: Wade T. Smith (wade.t.smith@verizon.net)
Date: Wed 05 Mar 2003 - 19:10:12 GMT

  • Next message: joedees@bellsouth.net: "Re: memetics-digest V1 #1302"

    On Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at 01:18 PM, memetics-digest wrote:

    > This argument is kinda like saying that unless exact genetic
    > replication
    > occurs, that the theory of evolution is flawed.

    Kinda like, perhaps. Mostly like, no way.

    > But it is precisely the
    > natural selection between natural occurring deviances that allows for
    > evolution to occur.

    No argument, but, hmmm, we can't duplicate the conditions that this natural selection occured within, can we? Nope, that time/space is gone.

    > The difference is that, in memetics, those deviations
    > (mutations) may be intended, and indeed engineered - as can be the
    > selection.

    There is no _necessity_ that any of the 'mutations' in memetic transfer
    (cultural transmission) be intended or engineered, and no one is arguing that intention may _not_ be a part of cultural mechanisms. But, yes, I am arguing that intention need not be communicated, at all, and can be lost for all time.

    - Wade

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