Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id DAA23411 (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 03:59:50 GMT Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 19:55:23 -0800 Message-Id: <200201160355.g0G3tNL31445@mail8.bigmailbox.com> Content-Type: text/plain Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary X-Mailer: MIME-tools 4.104 (Entity 4.116) X-Originating-Ip: [216.76.255.42] From: "Joe Dees" <joedees@addall.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Modes of transmission Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk('binary' encoding is not supported, stored as-is)
> Re: Modes of transmissionDate: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 21:36:25 -0500
> "Wade T. Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu> "Memetics Discussion List" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>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.
>
It gets transmitted behaviorally, but people cognitively change that which they have received, if they so wish, before they pass on.
>
>>Because some meanings are more readily passed on than others, and more
>>readily received than others, and meanings tend to mutate
>
>Just like that.
>
Yep.
>
>>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.
>
That meme does not change, although more effective modes or mode types may come into being (arabic vs. roman numerals).
>
>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.
>
Memes DO evolve, however; the prohibition, in the Hammurabic Code, against treating others in ways that you would not want to be treated, was advanced with its positive statement, in the Golden Rule, of endeavoring to treat others as you would have them treat you.
>
>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.
>
The behavior wants nothing; people may want to see other people do or say (a subset of do) or believe certain things. They may show them, tell them, write to them, show them a picture, all with the (sometimes successful) intention of transmitting the selfsame meme.
>
>
>- 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
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