From: Wade T. Smith (wade.t.smith@verizon.net)
Date: Wed 28 May 2003 - 23:11:24 GMT
On Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at 06:28 PM, Lawrence wrote:
> The structure provides the substance -- the idea -- with
> the wherewithal to spread itself and defend itself.
This is very in line with what I imagine the cultural venue to be- the
structure that provides the wherewithal to spread and defend the
performance- although, defend and spread is perhaps more linearly
correct.
It is also where I see the effort of maintaining, even introducing, the
performance (the meme) to be focused, and in this way, although the
performance (the meme) is not 'engineered' in the traditional meaning
of 'constructed from designed specifications', the expected performance
is statistically encouraged, often by making aberrant performances more
difficult to achieve. One cannot bounce a ball under water, so to speak.
The main problem with this is its propagandist approach, in that
creating venues for expectations of performances is not a clear and
clean choice field for the participants. Of course, all cultures are
such propagandist venues to some degree, with the sole exception of
science. But, in an enlightened excursion within a well-designed and
fairly elaborated structure, choices become more willingly just. This
is one of the great attractions of such problems as the Prisoners'
Dilemma for memetic processes, although much time is spent sifting
through to the statistical end, if ever it occurs, but, we have lots of
time, don't we? (Not according to Wilson, we don't, but, who's
listening to him while we drive our SUV's to the whole food market?)
The greatest good for the greatest number, of course, lets a good third
suffer vastly.
But it's okay, there will be more. The first principle of most cultures
is to be fruitful and multiply.
All of this, of course, relates to your quest for the perfect State.
- Wade
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