Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id NAA12448 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 2 Nov 2001 13:44:02 GMT Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6D0E7@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Study shows brain can learn without really trying Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 13:25:13 -0000 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain X-Filter-Info: UoS MailScan 0.1 [D 1] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Hi Wade,
>>Anyway, transmission and reception of memes does not require a
self,
>>only a transmitter and a receiver which are not necessarily the
same thing
>>as selves.
<Remember too, that this 'self' appears to be a necessity when we
see
> cheating and manipulative behavior of almost any stripe.
>
> Whether memes are required as well is problematic, but they are certainly
> a major part of the toolkit of the cheat.>
>
Yeah, I guess I meant that it's possible for things to transmit
messages without conscious motivation or intent, whether that be human body
language, trees' chemical signals given off when being attacked by insects,
or even pulsars or hypernovae.
Certainly, much of what concerns this list, is motivated information
transmission, whether that be religious dogma, political propaganda,
scientific skepticism, or whatever. Also having the ability to, what's the
phrase.... theorise about other's state of mind (I know there's a more
correct term for that, but can't remember it) is helpful when trying to
manipulate them to your own ends.
I have an interest also in those things that kind of get away from
us, in terms of intent or control, like urban legends being passed on
despite every person passing it on probably knowing it isn't true, or bad
jokes that aren't funny that persist. Or the obligatory catchy tune
syndrome (by the way thanks for that article a couple of weeks back- very
interesting, but I had to use immense self control not to catch many of the
tunes mentioned- just as a payback, I had the Bonanza theme going round my
head yesterday, remember Bonanza?).
This also brings to mind the question of mimesis, like insects that
look like plants, and vice versa. Clearly no conscious intent is involved
there, but information transmission occurs, and they are deceits also.
Perhaps the self is merely the human version of mimesis- useful for
defence or for sexual success? Like the insect that is unaware it looks
like a twig, perhaps we are actually unaware that the self merely serves an
adaptive purpose.
I'm starting to babble now, sorry. A product of being in the middle
of marking a big pile of undergraduate essays, about which I can say nothing
now that new data protection act provisions means that my e-mails are
basically open house. How nice to live in such a free society...
Vincent
-- The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the University of Stirling shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.=============================================================== This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing) see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Nov 02 2001 - 13:49:35 GMT