From: M Lissack (lissacktravel@yahoo.com)
Date: Mon 26 Jan 2004 - 15:21:39 GMT
In an effort to move this dialogue into a more
constructive phase please consider the following:
Memes as a descriptive term is fine as is.
Memetics -- if it is to be a science or a field of
study -- must be concenrned with more than
explications based on descriptive terms.
Memetics is presently stuck in a "bad space" due its
reliance on the descriptive and intutive qualities of
the indexical term "meme" as its unit of analysis.
A memetics which uses as its unit of analysis a term
or terms which have functions, qualities, mechanisms,
constraints, and processes which are directly
observable and measurable will make greater advances
in pursuit of both science and study.
I have suggested catalytic indexicals as such a term.
Other terms may prove to eb better.
Such a memetics is still concerned with the
descriptive arena of memes but is no longer
constrained by the problems of an overloaded
indexical.
I would suggest that my article, Derek's article of
1998, and Bruce's challenges be reread in light of the
above.
Bruce's challenges can be found at:
http://jom-emit.cfpm.org/2002/vol6/edmonds_b_letter.html
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