Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id IAA06072 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 23 Nov 2001 08:47:05 GMT X-Originating-IP: [209.240.222.132] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Study shows brain can learn without really trying Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 03:42:03 -0500 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F230nHAaaz7EjQxzmWe000002b8@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 23 Nov 2001 08:42:03.0173 (UTC) FILETIME=[B9592550:01C173FA] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: "Memetics Discussion List" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
>Subject: Re: Study shows brain can learn without really trying
>Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001 11:55:07 -0500
>
>Hi Robin Faichney -
>
> >All that's
> >required to validate the most basic memetic model is imitation.
>
>Or commonality.
>
>Similar environments populated by similar species produce similar
>behaviors. No imitation of any sort is required.
>
>Imitation itself in such models is an illusion.
>
>
Would this behavioral similarity stem from common ancestry (ie- would it
reflect a deep seated homology) or would the similarity merely result from
convergence or parallelism due to a common environmental constraint or
problem, such as sharks and dolphins sharing superficially similar fusiform
bodies for an adaptive streamlining which cuts through water or vertebrates
and octopuses sharing similar eye designs for reception of images? If the
former (ie- homology), there might just be something archetypal or
primordial about this behavioral similarity. Otherwise the theme arises from
convergence and homology is illusory.
One would think that the level of similarity between humans and chimps might
mean there are some homologies in behavior. What about tool usage? Does this
apparent similarity stem from common ancestry or merely from convergence due
to similar adaptive problems? Either way, when do "memes" enter the picture?
Are they, as collective representations so to speak, resultant from
variations in the development of a "primordial image" (however Burckhardt
may have actually used this term). Are they the superficial cultural chaff
around the mnemic kernel or a very thin layer of varnish anyway?
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