Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id LAA03247 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 15 Jun 2000 11:55:57 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D31017458C2@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Cons and Facades Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 11:54:06 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Information and truth are not the same thing. You specifically said the
truth, which surely means more than simple information like passwords- it
implies value for one thing. A password is not a truth claim, 'the world is
flat' is a truth claim.
Truth claims surely only have value if they can be communicated and thus
tested in some way or other (not necessarily experimentally, but also
philosophically, or as a test of faith perhaps).
Vincent
> ----------
> From: Lawrence H. de Bivort
> Reply To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 3:37 pm
> To: 'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'
> Subject: RE: Cons and Facades
>
> 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 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
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