From: Wade T. Smith (wade.t.smith@verizon.net)
Date: Tue 17 Jun 2003 - 18:28:30 GMT
On Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at 01:57 PM, Ted wrote:
> [Any] model of memetics is useful only to the extent that it clearly
> demarcates memetic and non-memetic cultural transmission.
Such demarcation is _mandatory_ for memetics, because memetics is a
discussion of culture, not a discussion of information. And, excuse my
amendment to your quote, because, there is more than one model of
memetics, although which one is useful is conjectural.
> This is a very illuminating example of the difference between ideas
> that passively replicate via human consciousness and self-replicating
> (memetic) ideas.
And the model of memetics that defines the meme as a self-replicating
idea is the one most mistaken about culture. There is no way to
demarcate how an idea replicates, or even if such a process is
possible. Indeed, your entire sentence above is nonsensical and
illogical, by any definition of 'idea'.
Passive information leading to knowledge, and intended communication of
knowledge, is more apt. At any rate, culture is dependent upon both
forms of knowledge.
And so is memetics. And so is any model of culture.
- Wade
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