Re: Do all memes die out or evolve? I think not.

From: Dace (edace@earthlink.net)
Date: Wed Jan 16 2002 - 18:11:06 GMT

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From: "Dace" <edace@earthlink.net>
To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Do all memes die out or evolve?  I think not.
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 10:11:06 -0800
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    Joe Dees:

    > I think that some memes reach an optimized limit state that nevertheless
    > retains their functionality and usefulness. For instance, I do not see
    > the multiplication tables either dying out or evolving.

    Are you backing off from your assertion that memetics is the evolutionary theory of meaning?

    Just because memes are liable to arrive at an optimal state doesn't mean they aren't still products of evolution. The same thing occurs in the natural environment all the time. Organisms get to a certain point where they fit their ecosystem perfectly. Then the ecosystem gets washed away, and only those that are able to further evolve will survive. In the event of a general breakdown of civilization, multiplication tables would have little use and might disappear. The other possibility is a genetically engineered leap in intelligence that could render multiplication tables unnecessary. In that case, if they evolved into much greater complexity, then they might be useful again and would persevere.

    Ted

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