Re: Cichlids & Memes

From: Bill Spight (bspight@pacbell.net)
Date: Thu Aug 30 2001 - 16:47:14 BST

  • Next message: Chris Taylor: "Re: Cichlids & Memes"

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    Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 08:47:14 -0700
    From: Bill Spight <bspight@pacbell.net>
    Subject: Re: Cichlids & Memes
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    Dear Vincent,

    > Of course whether fish really have culture or memes is, I suspect, a matter
    > of some contention.
    >

    Hmmm. I wonder if it is possible to have memes without culture.

    I know, I know, memes are defined as building blocks of culture, so the
    notion of a meme without culture is meaningless. Or is it?

    Isn't it possible to have patterns of behavior that are reproduced via
    imitation, are varied and subject to selection, without their combining
    in a superstructure that we call culture? Why not? The imitation of mate
    preferences in guppies seems a good candidate for such.

    Best,

    Bill

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