Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id AAA18637 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Sat, 29 Sep 2001 00:19:18 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [209.240.220.143] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: RE: Thesis: Memes are DNA-Slaves Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 19:14:22 -0400 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F240OhmTwqPWqpeQF5Q0000a387@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 28 Sep 2001 23:14:22.0539 (UTC) FILETIME=[4EE899B0:01C14873] Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: "salice" <salice@gmx.net>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Subject: RE: Thesis: Memes are DNA-Slaves
>Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 00:40:33 +0000
>
>
> > What scale would explain coming to the aid of a whale or other wild
>animal
> > in distress? I watched a program recently where a whale was in distress
>and
> > a bunch of people got together to help it and it was then sent to a
>water
> > park for rehabilitation. *Why* (in the evolutionary sense of the word)
>would
> > someone consider the plight of sea turtles a serious concern? Would
> > inclusive fitness or reciprocal altruism fit the bill here?
>
>i dont know on dna-level, maybe these
>people share some genes with the distressed whale. they could also
>get money from tourists in the water park. on the meme level i mean
>you saw them on tv, if they wouldnt have saved the whale you wouldnt
>have seen them. it's just some kind of humor. but it makes you think
>so there's some meme business happening no matter how stupid it
>looks.
>
>i dont know like many people feel sad when they see a dead bird on
>the street but have no problem killing spiders or other insects.
>
The Jainists have taken respect (or reverence?) for animal to a level I've
not seen except for the hardcore vegans and animal rights fols (such as
found amongst the hard-core of PETA). How does one explain the ethical
concerns of Jainists and animal rights activists or those of
conservationists (IMO not to be equated with animal rights activists) who
rally behind endangered and threatened species? What in the Environment of
Evolutionary Adaptedness would predispose someone toward going to these
lengths of helping non-kin who probably won't reciprocate?
I'd splat a housefly, but would leave a dragonfly, butterfly or ladybug
alone. I've learned to accept the presence of spiders at a young age, though
I fear a bite from a black widow or brown recluse.
>
>maybe there is some dependence or just cultural learned belief.
>
>
>
If humans as primates should have prepared fears for snakes, how does one
account for the snakes as pets industry? Some people really love their
snakes. While working on a sea turlte project as side job we had was
catching reptiles and amphibians to identify, measure and release. I got
over my fear (innate or learned) of snakes pretty quick. Getting bit by a
rat snake wasn't all that bad of an experience. I have a respect for snakes
after handling several with varying dispositions, ranging from the feisty
bite-at all-costs black racers to the docile scarlet snakes.
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