Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id WAA07585 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sat, 19 Jan 2002 22:51:58 GMT To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Message-Id: <AA-08084FC922871F901598F98D56038D2F-ZZ@maillink1.prodigy.net> Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 17:48:05 -0500 From: "Philip Jonkers" <PHILIPJONKERS@prodigy.net> Subject: Re: sensory and sensibility Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Frankie:
>>As the mother of a three-year-old, I think there is
memetic stuff
>>happening *way* before that. Especially when you
talk about memes
>>on a behavioral level. Maybe the way to
operationalize this is to
>>ask when is the first time you demonstrated
something for your child
>>and they copied you. No. That won't work, babies
imitate facial
>>expressions at birth, it is hardwired in. Perhaps
certain types of
>>behavior then. Manipulating objects, maybe? Is
memetic behavior by
>>definition learned and not hardwired? If so, how
can you
>>operationalize that distinction?
The original purpose of memetic activity was to
enhanced chances of survival of humans.
By the Baldwin effect `cultural' humans got selected
out. So yes, we have innate capabilities
to function within a cultural environment. But since
culture is so vast, rich, sophisticated and most
importantly evolving at a high pace we have
to learn to function in it and adapt to with it
nonetheless. Nature has provided with an
excellent tool to do so, the brain.
Philip.
Cheers,
Philip Jonkers.
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