From: Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Date: Mon 19 May 2003 - 13:32:47 GMT
Bill Benzon wrote:
<<So, just how do you define "meme"?>>
In the very post you were replying to, I wrote that I used the
Dawkins/Dennett definition: mental replicator.
<< Let us say that we define a meme to be
an entity that plays a role in cultural processes that is analogous to the
role that a gene plays in biological processes. That, I believe, is what
Dawkins had in mind and what Dennett has defended.>>
That was the early, vague definition Dawkins gave. He later clarified it to
be a mental replicator and Dennett concurred.
<<So, we now examine cultural processes to see what, if any, entities fit
the
definition. You claim to have found such entities in people's minds. Wade
claims that is impossible and so do I. We're not disagreeing with the
definition -- assuming you more or less agree with it. We're disagreeing
about where to look in the world to find entities that satisfy the
definition.>>
You are disagreeing with the definition as currently held by Dennett and
others who have written books on memetics, but I'm sure you have your
reasons.
Richard Brodie
www.memecentral.com
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