Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id CAA23231 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 16 Jan 2002 02:40:53 GMT Message-Id: <200201160236.g0G2aMS29971@sherri.harvard.edu> Subject: Re: Modes of transmission Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 21:36:25 -0500 x-sender: wsmith1@camail.harvard.edu x-mailer: Claris Emailer 2.0v3, Claritas Est Veritas From: "Wade T. Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu> To: "Memetics Discussion List" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Hi Joe Dees -
>Memetics is, in a sense, the evolutionary theory of meaning.
And the means of this evolution is the behavioral meme, through which
meaning gets transmitted, or doesn't, or gets changed.
>Because some meanings are more readily passed on than others, and more
>readily received than others, and meanings tend to mutate
Just like that.
>Simply saying 'meaning' simpliciter does not communicate this evolutionary
>dynamic.
Some meanings are transmitted totally and almost perfectly. Mathematics
is full of meanings like that. So is science. There is little possibility
that the behavior of expressing (the meme) "2+2=4" will get mutated,
regardless of countless re-behaviors. So, yes, saying meaning simpliciter
is quite okay.
But, when I try to express and transmit my meme, say, of not smoking
marijuana, at various times I'll need to vocalize, or gesture, and,
eventually, even amidst the most stoned-out, a simple head shake, or even
no response at all, will be all that is needed. But, I am not trying to
get this meme to replicate, I am merely wanting my meaning to be
understood, and I don't care if they think I'm a nerd, or allergic, or on
medication, or whatever they want to think about why I am not smoking
with them.
Memetic behavior is behavior that wants to see replication, not just
understanding. Animals understand meanings through behaviors- teeth
baring among many species is a sign of aggression or defence. But, if I
want you to take a bicycle ride with me, I need to get you on a bicycle.
- 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
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Jan 16 2002 - 03:21:06 GMT