Re: memetics-digest V1 #1319

From: Dace (edace@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue 25 Mar 2003 - 19:37:50 GMT

  • Next message: Wade T. Smith: "Fwd: Differing TV images feed Arab, US views"

    > From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com>
    >
    > > > >From: "Wade T. Smith" <wade.t.smith@verizon.net>
    > > > >
    > > > >On Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at 04:15 PM, Ted wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > >>Self-replicators. Remember, memes are alive.
    > > > >
    > > > >Jeez.... That goes beyond all absurdity.
    > > > >
    > > > >Nothing, in this universe or any other, is self-replicating.
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > I thought that attributing life to memes was the most absurd part of
    > >what
    > > > you replied to. Memes alive? Have we resurrected animism?
    > >
    > >If I attributed life to animals would you accuse me of animism?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > No. Butam I wrong in thinking you are attributing life to memes in the
    > literal sense (not the marginally less absurd metaphoric sense)? I'd say
    > that a palm tree or a porpoise are alive. An idea is not alive. A virus
    > strains ones views on what life is, and I'd probably lean towards no hee
    > too. A viral idea ("meme") if this exists, doesn't seem to be a good
    > candidate for being alive.

    At the very least, viruses participate in life processes. The same could be said of memes. After all, the mind/brain is as alive as any other organ. A meme, i.e. a "selfish" idea, lives and evolves in relation to the cultural environment in the same sense that an animal lives and evolves in relation to the natural environment.

    Ted

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