Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id UAA01690 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 16 Aug 2000 20:03:00 +0100 Message-ID: <001801c007b8$76886100$940fbed4@default> From: "Kenneth Van Oost" <Kenneth.Van.Oost@village.uunet.be> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> References: <Pine.OSF.4.21.0008160936251.8123-100000@tracy.umd.edu> Subject: Re: Changing threads/ American Nationalism !? Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 21:29:00 +0200 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Nice to hear from you again, Lawrence ! It is good to have you back !!
<< Lawrence wrote,
>
> Greetings to all...
>
> I must say that I am enjoying reading this discussion by Europeans of
> America's social, political and evolutionary beliefs, seeing how you see
> America. A couple of offerings for your consideration:
>
> 1. Darwin and 'creationism' -- don't be too impressed by this seeming
> debate: creationism is really a fringe belief in terms of those who take
> it seriously. It is used metaphorically, even poetically, by many
> more. The fringe people here and there acquire disproportionate political
> influence from time to time, which makes big headlines, but poorly
> reflects general opinion.
<< Maby to your American mind, though ! ( Excuse me for that)
But when I sit down easy in my armchair and I watch that program on BCC
World, well it is quit impressive !!
Do you know by the way, the Monkey Trial (1925) a teacher was fined a
100 dollars to teach evolution on school !?
I suppose they make big headlines, but poorly reflects general opinion !?
Well, in the State of Tennessee there was a discussion about such matters,
( evolution contra creration) they voted there an anti- evolution
- bill, the majority won with 3 votes in favor of evolution, how long can
they
hold on...!? >>
> 2. VietNam had a massive psychological impact on the USA, still felt today
> through unresolved disputes about the character of American society, the
> role of government, and the role of the USA in the world. This has vastly
> more impact than JFK's assassination, for example.
<< Is that so !? I didn 't know that !! Can you tell us more !? >>
> 3. Like most people around the world, Americans are generally innumerate,
> thus leaving us exposed to a rash of misperceptions. In America, where
> traditional ways of doing things are less respected than in many other
> countries, this innumeracy can be particularly costly and burdensome.
<< Innumerate !? Like in having no identity !? You can 't really tell who or
what is an American !? I don 't quit understand the term I suppose. Can you
enlight me !?
> I believe that all three of these items have significant memetic
> implications.
>
<< Can you eleborate !? >>
Best regards,
Kenneth
(I am, because we are)
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