Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id PAA27885 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 14 Jun 2000 15:39:41 +0100 X-Authentication-Warning: morse.umd.edu: debivort owned process doing -bs Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 10:37:46 -0400 (EDT) From: "Lawrence H. de Bivort" <debivort@umd5.umd.edu> X-Sender: debivort@morse.umd.edu To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Cons and Facades In-Reply-To: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D31017458C0@inchna.stir.ac.uk> Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.4.21.0006141018260.27309-100000@morse.umd.edu> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
On Wed, 14 Jun 2000, Vincent Campbell wrote:
>When is it inappropriate to communicate the truth? In what circumstances?
When there is the concern that it will enable someone to do something
irresponsible. Simple examples: we don't give out our passwords, to
anyone. Less simple: our credit card information, which we give out to
some people. Even less simple: our views on controversial subjects when we
are in social settings where it is 'inappropriate' (Learned this one the
hard way <grin>.) Trade secrets, classified information (e.g. re.
materials that can be used for terrorist purposes), organization-sensitive
materials, personnel files, etc, are other examples of kinds of
information that are given restricted dissemination, rightly, I think, for
the most-part.
We can decide against communicating information for several reasons:
1. Sometimes we don't communiacte things because we judge the
setting into which we might do so inappropriate
2. Sometimes we simply view the information as priveleged, whether for
personal or professional or commercial reasons. (The reason that Aaron
noted a few days ago.)
3. Sometimes we refuse the communication because the requestor is impolite
4. Sometimes we anticipate or fear the information's possible misuse.
For me, 'memetic engineering' falls into this last category. (I know not
everyone shares this view.)
5. Sometimes information is not adequately formulated; it is still too
'raw.' 'Memetic engineering' may fall into this category as well, though
in my view if people clearly state that they view a communication as 'raw'
it can be helpful nonetheless to communicate it.
- Lawrence
===============================================================
This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Jun 14 2000 - 15:40:22 BST