Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id PAA21779 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 15 Jan 2002 15:11:38 GMT X-Originating-IP: [137.110.248.206] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Knowledge, Memes and Sensory Perception Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 07:07:13 -0800 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F99fa8ilr2Aa2J0000147e@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 15 Jan 2002 15:07:13.0614 (UTC) FILETIME=[502356E0:01C19DD6] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
I can understand acupuncture and feng shui. The have some valid principles
behind them. For Acupuncture, Howard Bloom discussed the principle of the
appearance of control in The Lucifer Principle. There is also the placebo
effect. If people believe it works, there is a good chance that it will
work for some people. The feng shui thing is based on the effect light and
air flow have on how well and comfortable you will feel. Chinese were told
never to have the entrance face the north because the north wind brought
sickness with it. A lot of the things the gods decreed had elements of
common sense behind them.
I think what keeps astrology going is the art of semantics. The predictions
are worded in such a way that they apply to almost anyone. I used to play a
game with my mother, who was hooked on the astology column of the local
paper. I would read my daily prediction and tell her it was hers, then ask
her if she really thought it described her life and her problems. She
always said it did, even though she is female and her birthday is halfway
around the calendar from mine. Then I would read hers ask her if she
thought it fit me. She always did. After I analyzed them, I realized they
would fit just about anybody regardless of when they were born or what sex
they were. The trick was in the wording not the predicting. Things like
you will meet a man with dark hair are impossible to dispute because you can
hardly go through the day without meeting one unless you hide in your house
and don't go out. Only a few people have to feel they benefitted and get
the word out to keep the meme going on hope alone. Any chance to control
your life is better than no chance at all.
Grant
>
>
>
> >Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 01:56:48 -0500
> > Re: Knowledge, Memes and Sensory Perception "Wade T. Smith"
><wade_smith@harvard.edu> memetics@mmu.ac.ukReply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> >
> >
> >On Tuesday, January 15, 2002, at 01:09 , Keith Henson wrote:
> >
> >> As a result of it, phrenology is a relatively unpopular meme because it
> >> was subjected to the scientific method and found wanting.
> >
> >Astrology is an extremely popular behavior, untrammeled, it seems, by
> >any and all efforts of scientific methodology.
> >
> >As is acupuncture.
> >
> >Popularity is a memetic vector, not a scientific validity.
> >
> >As for why phrenology is not more popular in this day of feng shui, your
> >guess is as good as mine.
> >
> >It should be popular, looking around....
> >
>There was a fellow who was attending a phrenology convention. On his way
>down to the hotel lobby, a bellhop offered him the services of a call girl.
>He flipped a coin.
>Get it? HEADS or TAILS! (snicker!)
> >
> >- Wade
> >
> >
> >===============================================================
> >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
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
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>
>===============================================================
>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
>
Grant
The means you use shape the ends you get.
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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
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