RE: Sources of novelty (was Dar v mem evol)

From: Vincent Campbell (v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk)
Date: Sat Feb 10 2001 - 09:39:33 GMT

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From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk>
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: RE: Sources of novelty (was Dar v mem evol)
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2001 09:39:33 -0000
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            <I agree entirely about the miscopying thing (and I like the example
    - my
    > old band ended up with a really great end to a song due to a timing
    > error with a four-track tape recorder). My point though, about the main
    > bulk of 'novel' ideas (especially at the more mundane end), is that they
    > come from within, from the variation in one's mind. When I find a new
    > use for a thing (from my good old junk box in the cupboard) it's not
    > because I accidentally think about it in the wrong way, I'm actively
    > searching for a solution which means I have developed a new niche in my
    > mind which various things try to fill. I think this recombinational mode
    > is dominant rather than a truly novel mistake-driven system.>
    >
            I see what you're saying, but what would make that new usage a meme
    is if other people started using that old thing in the new way you come up
    with, and then only if they see/hear/read about your new usage. (My mind is
    instantly drawn to Blue Peter and all those uses for old cereal packets and
    washing-up liquid bottles (for our non-Brits, this is a long running
    children's TV show)).

            Vincent

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