Re: Defining the word "replicator" (was Re: Silent memes)

From: joedees@bellsouth.net
Date: Tue 05 Aug 2003 - 22:23:27 GMT

  • Next message: Lawrence DeBivort: "RE: Defining the word "replicator" (was Re: Silent memes)"

    From: AaronLynch@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 17:53:34 EDT Subject: Re: Defining the word "replicator" (was Re: Silent memes) To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Send reply to: memetics@mmu.ac.uk

    > In a message dated 8/5/2003 10:48:09 AM Central Daylight
    > Time, Lawrence DeBivort <debivort@umd5.umd.edu> writes:
    >
    > > I wonder whether there is confusing arising from Dawkins'
    > > terminology?
    > >
    > > A "replicator" should be the thing that is doing the replication,
    > > and not that thing that is being replicated.
    > >
    > > The thing that is being replicated should be called a "REPLICATEE",
    > > and the thing doing the replication should be called the
    > > "REPLICATOR" -- this reflects standard subject/object usage,
    > > unless I am mistaken.
    > >
    > > Does this help?
    > >
    > > Cheers,
    > > Lawry
    >
    Since the replicatee is a replica of the replicator (or else the replicator has not replicated), it, too must also be a replicator, at least potentially.
    > Thanks, Lawry.
    >
    > In one way, this would be more logical terminology. But the
    > word "replicatee" could easily be misconstrued in another
    > way, as referring to a person who is replicated. In any
    > case, the term "replicator" has already been introduced
    > into the literature. And scientific terms often have
    > technical meanings different from those of mainstream
    > usage. For purposes of science, it matters that the term be
    > clearly defined.
    >
    > --Aaron Lynch
    >
    > Thought Contagion Science Page:
    > http://www.thoughtcontagion.com
    >
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