Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id TAA04063 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 18 Sep 2001 19:09:01 +0100 From: "Richard Brodie" <richard@brodietech.com> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Dawkins View Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 11:03:17 -0700 Message-ID: <JJEIIFOCALCJKOFDFAHBKEJDDHAA.richard@brodietech.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000 In-Reply-To: <1000833567.3ba7821fbd3bf@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Importance: Normal Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Philip:
<<You advance the `good of their kin' mechanism, which in itself
is perfectly plausible argument from biology.
However, consistent with using such argument,
you are implying that the brave plane-passengers saved
relatives>>
Co-opting existing primitive emotional responses is a cornerstone of
memetics theory. Mind viruses such as the terrorist cults make liberal use
of these. As an analogy, consider how the junk-food industry has co-opted
innate mechanisms for determining which foods are healthy to eat. Although
the junk food is actually deleterious, it pushes the primitive taste
buttons. In a similar way cults can coerce self-destructive behavior out of
members by pushing primitive psychological buttons.
<<I second Dawkins still when he argues that religion is
mainly to blame for last tuesday's disaster. In fact, religion
is the source of most of the misery, suffering and
injustice plagueing this tiny but turbulent planet.>>
I don't think many scholars of religion would agree. Why not?
<<I agree, terrorism must seize. But given the never ending
bully-like suppresion by whatever superpower
(in the past Russia: Afghanistan, US: Vietman)
one can ask whether that goal is attainable simply by
vicious spirals of endless violent retaliation.>>
I haven't heard anyone coming out in favor of vicious spirals of endless
violent retaliation. What do you want to do, leave them alone to take over
the whole Middle East and build a nuclear arsenal?
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