From: Brad - Eufrates (brad.jensen@eufrates.com)
Date: Fri 12 Dec 2003 - 21:27:40 GMT
> I think he needs to be reminded of the context of the running
> and maintenance of the list- on a British University server,
> for the purpose of open, but informed discussion of memetics.
> It's not a US chat-room intended for anybody to spout
> whatever they like on any topic, and doing that is taking
> unfair advantage of the spirit of open discussion of memetics
> the list is intended to serve.
Wow, there are a lot of memes in this paragraph.
It seems to me that the burning issues of the day can stimulate
us to consciousness of the memes that are carrying us along in their
grasp.
Personally, I'm not so much offended by anything people say, but
I am somewhat offended by people being offended.
I've been twit-filtered myself, and someone once called me an obnoxious,
know-it-all-jerk, which was sort of soothing for everything anyone
else has said since.
Maybe it would help for some of you more practiced memeticists
to define or at least describe what memetics is, how you look at
things in terms of memetics, then an example of a news story or
current interest item analyzed along memetic principles.
I suggest you do this without mentioning any names of memetics
pioneers or popularizers, and without pointing to texts and
saying go read this or that. If memetics is truly and approach
or discipline, and not just a fad or a fan club, then the principles can
be described
in the vernacular and comprehended without allegiance to or dependence
on authority.
For example, I can describe Jesus' presentation of
Christianity without reference to scripture by saying:
You live in a larger reality than you have ever imagined, and
you have accepted false limitations on your sense of self because
of your loyalty to tradition or dependence on outside authority.
Instead, reason on the fact that your nature is what you are made
of, and you are made of the Creator. Therefore, to experience the
world as it truly is and to know yourself as you truly are, be like God.
Nothing less can satisfy you or make you happy.
(I understand there is a religion 'about' Jesus, and they call
that Christianity also, but it really has little relation to what he
says.)
What can we do with an understanding of memetics that we
cannot do so well without it?
It's not like anyone freezes your eyeballs forward and makes
you read a particular message. I think I understand what 'open' means
but I'm a little clueless on how 'informed' can 'but' against that.
I don't mind being annoyed by the lefty lemmings who are
sputtering Saddam sycophants; at least they aren't Texans (who we
call 'Baja Oklahomans' during years such as this when our
university beats their university).
I already know what I know, I am more interested in finding out
about what I don't know, understanding that this will lead me
into interaction with people whose values or lack of same I find
frightening or disconcerting.
It's hard to be condescending when you live in cyberspace.
Brad Jensen
brad@elstore.com
www.elstore.com
www.actasif.com
www.seemyscreen.com
www.eufrates.com
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