Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id SAA18009 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 28 Sep 2001 18:00:48 +0100 From: Philip Jonkers <P.A.E.Jonkers@phys.rug.nl> X-Authentication-Warning: rugth1.phys.rug.nl: www-data set sender to jonkers@localhost using -f To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: RE: Thesis: Memes are DNA-Slaves Message-ID: <1001696183.3bb4abb7242cf@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 18:56:23 +0200 (CEST) References: <E15meHu-0000vY-00@dryctnath.mmu.ac.uk> <E15mg8c-0002e2-00@dryctnath.mmu.ac.uk> In-Reply-To: <E15mg8c-0002e2-00@dryctnath.mmu.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit User-Agent: IMP/PHP IMAP webmail program 2.2.6 X-Originating-IP: 129.125.13.3 Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Quoting salice <salice@gmx.net>:
>
> > More over, even characteristics deleterious to survival persist,
> only
> > depending upon just how destructive they are, how quickly, the
> competition,
> > external threat and other factors.
>
> but in the end it doesn't survive.
>
> anyways,
> do you really think that the meme-handling capability is a
> deleterious or indifferent characteristic? i mean, every human has
> it. even monkeys build up simple cultures. quite wide-spread to be
> deleterious in my eyes.
>
> > > Therefore memes relate to genes in a contributing way.
> > > Memes serve to the survival of their corresponding genes.
> > The reverse argument might just as well be made, and just as easily.
>
> hm, no.
> memes live in brains. that a brain exists, that it is able to process
> is at first made possible by dna.
>
> if you can prove your version please show me.
>
> > After all, behaviors and ideas will persist in a population healthy
> enough
> > to stay alive. But not in ones that disappear.
>
> my point. if a meme-set would kill it's people it would die too.
> therefore the meme-set (ideas,behaviors...) makes it's population
> survive. it serves the dna.
Hi Salice,
Please recognize the fact that brains aren't the
only storage facility for memes. Better than the human memory,
written documents, computers, computer disks, magnetic
streamers etc. also store memes with higher levels of,
at least one of the following properties, fidelity,
fecundity and longevity. This has great implications
on the survivability of (malevolent) memes. While memes
harmful to humanity might give the impression to vanish of the face
of the earth as their carriers get killed for precisely the
reason of carrying those memes, such as happened to people
adhering to the nazi/fascism regimes. They can't be eradicated
completely however, as there will still exist versions and copies
of those memes documented using
none-brain media (written paper, films, recorded speeches etc.).
In fact, such memes can become `en vogue' again if the environment
permits or desires again. For instance, nazi/fascism memes can
hold sway again if economical or financial prospects deteriorate
or the perceived safety of the country is otherwise compromised.
Therefore, memes considered malicious are extremely hard
to eradicate.
Inventing better ways to accelerate memetic evolution (books,
computers) wasn't a futile or useless move;
it's a natural consequence of (progress in) memetic evolution!
Philip.
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