Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id UAA28801 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sun, 6 Jan 2002 20:03:21 GMT X-Originating-IP: [137.110.248.206] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: playing at suicide Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 11:58:50 -0800 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F107WWhbBu40lB00018264@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 06 Jan 2002 19:58:51.0067 (UTC) FILETIME=[8FB708B0:01C196EC] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Kenneth,
From the point of view of memetics, imitating behavior is what memes are all
about. It's built into us and is the foundation on which culture (and
consequently, memes) is structured. I don't know if you've read the article
below from EDGE or not, but I highly recommend it. It shows there are
genetic and structural features in the brain that support the whole process
-- not only in humans but in other animals as well. I feel sorry for the
children who followed their instincts to their deaths, but I don't really
see any deep psychological underpinning for it. To me it looks a lot like
what happens when a child dashes in front of a car or falls into a swimming
pool and drowns -- an unfortunate accident. We can't child-proof the world
to avoid them.
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/ramachandran/ramachandran_index.html
Grant
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