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Subj: Re: magnetic memetics
Date: 1/27/2001 12:13:32 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: ecphoric@hotmail.com (Scott Chase)
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Reply-to: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: <LJayson@aol.com>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Subject: magnetic memetics
>Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 02:27:01 EST
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I thought this was an interesting quote because of its
>memetic implications.
>
>"We always attract into our lives whatever we think about most,
>believe in most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and
>imagine most vividly."
>
> - Shakti Gawain
Along with my responses, Scott answered my
(Len Jayson) e-mail as follows.
:
Scott:
From the thread title, I was kinda expecting something
mesmerizing.
Len:
Sorry that you found my post to be neither enthralling nor
spellbinding; it wasn't meant to be.
Scott:
From an
history of ideas perspective, Franz Anton Mesmer seems like a
fascinating figure. Ellenberger highlights where Mesmer fits into
the scheme of dynamic psychiatry's history (hmmm, "scheme"
might be an aptly chosen word here) in his book _The Discovery
of the Unconscious_.
Len:
I have no clue as to what your references to Mesmer, Ellenberg or
the "unconscious" have to do with my e-mail message.
Scott:
I'm no fan of synchronicity,
but when I scanned the "for sale" rack at my local video rental
place recently, there was an affordable copy of _Mesmer_ starring
Alan Rickman. This was coincidental to my reading Ellenberger's
book. I don't know how historically accurate this film is, but it has
helped me gain a little perspective on Ellenberger's treatment of
Mesmer. The film centers on the case of the blind pianist.
Len:
I'm pleased that you found an affordable copy of Mesmer. I
similarly lucked out in recently finding cans of DelMonte
Spaghetti Sauce on sale.
Scott:
The sway of imagination and suggestion and the rapport between
people may be more important than "animal magnetism". It's
amazing how people can get caught in a fervor.
Len:
I was remiss in not elucidating what I meant by "magnetic
memetics." For that I apologize; it had absolutely zero
reference to "animal magnetism."
Please let me explain the thrust of my post. In my study of
memetics, I have noticed an empahsis on individuals absorbing
memes from their culture, consequently becoming socialized
and sharing neuro-typical ideas with others. To counteract what
I believe to be an over-emphasis of outside meme forces
filling-up empty craniums, I believe that we should give greater
credence to the natural propensity of each individual to pick and
choose from the culture "buffet" of memes that which best suits
him---based on his genetics, physical brain characteristics, and
environment. Within any cultural subset, individual differences
are vast.
My use of the word *magnetic* referred to Gawain's quote: -- "We
always *attract* into our lives whatever we think about most, believe
in most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and imagine most vividly."
Most of us would agree that any additional memes accepted into our
brains are largely dependent on the memeplexes already in place.
Therein lies a powerful concept, pointing out that each human brain is
continually shaped and developed by new memes, that are either
accepted or rejected, largely determined by the billions of memes
that have already "taken up housekeeping" in his skull.
I hope this clears up the mystery of what I meant by "magnetic
memetics," nothing more serious than a metaphorical use of the
word---magnetic.
I meant no profound lesson to be learned, this stuff is mostly old
hat to list members. I just felt that the Shakti Gawain quote neatly
expresses an important memetic truth.
Sincerely,
Len Jayson
===============================================================
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