From: joedees@bellsouth.net
Date: Thu 19 Jun 2003 - 17:32:44 GMT
From: "Richard Brodie" <richard@brodietech.com>
To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: RE: Precision of replication
Date sent: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 09:30:03 -0700
Send reply to: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Lawry wrote:
>
> <<I use the term and concept of memeplex, too, in the sense that a
> memeplex is a collection of memes with a common theme at its core, and
> in which the participating memes tightly reinforce and amplify each
> other, or in which the memes are mutually dependent. IIRC, this is, I
> think, compatible with your own use of the term.>>
>
> I don't know what a "common theme" is (other than another meme
> perhaps). But sure, a memeplex is a bundle of memes that tends to get
> the memes comprising it replicated with greater frequency than they do
> on their own.
>
> <<Then I think that the comments I am making pertain to both memes and
> memeplexes. In terms of precision of replication, I would guess that a
> memeplex -- simply because it is more complex -- might replicate with
> less precision than a single meme, but as I type this I wonder: might
> the interdependence and interaction of the memes within a memeplex not
> serve to _increase_ the fidelity of the transmission?
> Hmmmmmm.....interesting thought.>>
>
> Well, a meme gets replicated with 100% fidelity by definition. If it
> doesn't get replicated exactly then it's a mutation. And yes, I agree
> 100% with your interesting thought. The memes comprising a memeplex
> work together to get the whole bundle passed on.
>
> <<Richard, is it your thought that memeplexes and memes behave
> differently when it comes to transmission and replication? I have
> looked at the case in which only a subset of the memes in a memeplex
> are transmitted, and what effect that has, but short of this I have
> been proceeding on the assumption that a memeplex is essentially just
> a 'big meme' when it comes to transmission.>>
>
> I think you've put your finger on it. It makes no sense to talk about
> a meme being transmitted with less than 100% fidelity unless you are
> talking about mutation. With a memeplex, you might be interested in
> less than 100%-fidelity transmission as long as the receiving mind
> exhibits similar behavior as a result of sharing the memeplex.
>
Many memeplexes program their transmitters to pass on a subpacket
first (or close to first), which induces the recipient to seek out and
internalize more of, or even the rest of, the memeplex. Religions and
political ideologies are famous for doing this.
>
> Richard Brodie
> www.memecentral.com
>
>
> ===============================================================
> 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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