Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id KAA07160 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:53:41 GMT Message-Id: <5.0.2.1.0.20020110034617.00a39130@mail.clarityconnect.com> X-Sender: rrecchia@mail.clarityconnect.com X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.0.2 Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 05:47:11 -0500 To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk From: Ray Recchia <rrecchia@mail.clarityconnect.com> Subject: Re: Knowledge, Memes and Sensory Perception In-Reply-To: <004001c199ad$e1f7f440$509cef9b@intekom.co.za> References: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3102A6D1CE@inchna.stir.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Hi Pieter and welcome,
I will take a stab at your questions.
At 10:05 AM 1/10/2002 +0200, you wrote:
>I am new to this list and also, except for a few magazine
>articles over the last couple of years, a novice in the field of
>memetics. My academic background, although somewhat antiquated,
>covers subjects like Linguistics, Psychology and Education.
>
>It is possible that you have covered the following questions in
>the past, in which case I shall appreciate it if you could give
>me some guidance as to where I can delve in the archives:
>
>1. Does all knowledge consist of memes or memeplexes?
No. Knowledge is a meme only if it is acquired by transmission from
another organism. Learning about the environment through other means does
not create memes unless that learning is then transmitted. Some on this
list would argue that 'knowledge' should not be regarded as a meme at all
because of problems characterizing what an organism knows. For those who
follow this rule only 'behaviors' which are acquired from organisms are
memes. In either case though transmission would be required
>2. Are all memes received/perceived through sensory
>perception?
Yes. Since they have to be acquired from others. Some internal processes
will have to occur during the acquisition process and in fact it may be
some time after the perceptive event occurs that the meme is fully
acquired. So for example, someone may show you how to skate but you may
have to work at it for a while before you can duplicate their actions.
>3. Is it also possible to acquire memes through experience,
>where the knowledge is not the direct result of recent
>communication?
I think I have covered this in 1 and 2.
>Any explanation, reference to websites or other media will be
>sincerely appreciated.
>
>Pieter Bouwer
>
Ray Recchia
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