Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id NAA14910 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 6 Feb 2001 13:54:22 GMT From: <joedees@bellsouth.net> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 07:57:52 -0600 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Re: Darwinian evolution vs memetic evolution Message-ID: <3A7FAE80.29525.263345D@localhost> In-reply-to: <20010206132231.B550@reborntechnology.co.uk> References: <3A7F8CB0.27790.1DF1843@localhost>; from joedees@bellsouth.net on Tue, Feb 06, 2001 at 05:33:36AM -0600 X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12c) Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
On 6 Feb 2001, at 13:22, Robin Faichney wrote:
> On Tue, Feb 06, 2001 at 05:33:36AM -0600, joedees@bellsouth.net wrote:
> > > > Freedom means that our emergent self-conscious awareness can >
> exert causal control, not just over our bodies, but over our brains;
>
> Saying so doesn't make it so, Joe!
>
But evidence does tend to corroborate claims in the scientific realm.
>
> > in
> > the short run, in the neuronal activity patterns (what we choose to
> > think of, and how we choose to think of it (memory, anticipation,
> > directed perception, abstract cognition, etc.)) influences what
> > parts of our brain are more used (and PET scans bear this out),
>
> How so? I wasn't aware that free will showed up on PET scans.
>
When an area of the brain is used more, it burns more of the
isotopic sugar injected into the subject, and the isotopes are
released. These isotopes, and the locations from where they are
released, DO show up on the PET scans, and conclusively
demonstrate that the areas of the brain which are activated are to a
significant degree a matter of conscious choice. Or how do you
THINK they do all those PET scan memory, perception, etc.
studies? By asking their subjects to think, perceive, etc., and
guess what? They can choose to do so and have it demonstrably
happen. This research has been going on for over a DECADE,
Robin; where have you been?
>
> > and in
> > the long run, the free-will motivated continued usage of some
> > neuronal pathways rather than others selectively strengthens and
> > myelinizes them (by virtue of the electrochemical activity of the
> > neurons being utilized stimulating production of the myelination-
> > facilitating MAP-2 protein on site).
>
> Evidence, please.
>
Consult PSYCHOPHYSICAL ASPECTS OF READING AND
LEARNING, edited by rentel, Corson and Dunn; the chapter
entitled ASYMMETRIC BRAIN SPECIALIZATION: PROPOSED
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ITS DEVELOPMENT AND
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT by R. Harter kraft, particularly the
sections entitled 'the influence of environment on lateralization',
''Early functional plasticity of the human cortex', and 'development
of neural structures'. Also see BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY by
James W. Kalat, and there was an article in Scientific American
which I have misplaced.
>
> And would you say that the strengthening and myelinization of pathways
> enhances or diminishes freedom of the will???
>
It shows that if one perseveres, one can change one's own mind in
desired directions not just in the short term, but also in the long
term, or what's a college education for?
> --
> Robin Faichney
> robin@reborntechnology.co.uk
>
> ===============================================================
> This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
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>
>
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This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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