Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id BAA14516 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 22 Jan 2002 01:17:46 GMT Message-Id: <5.1.0.14.0.20020121192043.00bc8e68@localhost> X-Sender: jakemaier/pop.abs.adelphia.net@localhost X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1 Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 20:13:20 -0500 To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk From: Joachim Maier <jakemaier@adelphia.net> Subject: Re: Scientology In-Reply-To: <AA-1A04C7B4EE944C7668FBC1D84F18EF95-ZZ@maillink1.prodigy.n et> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>I agree, the meme clearly doesn't want anything.
>It's an abstract entity with no will.
>The verb `to want' should be considered with
>a metaphorical meaning. It's easier to say that
>a meme wants something to describe its dynamics.
>Perhaps better would be to speak of the more
>neutral infection potential.
>I guess the slogan of memes wanting anything is
>an artifact of assuming the `meme's eye view'.
>
>Philip.
Philip, I can understand your point, and can see that metaphorical meaning.
I do not know much about the theory, and the different shades people represent.
I did mostly refer to Bloom's Lucifer Principle, and here the chapter Why
men embrace ideas and ideas embrace men.
He says on page 178
But why does a meme grab onto humans? So it can use a social bunch as a
tool for self-expansion, driving a superorganism like a tank. Memes have an
ultimate ambition. and it goes on like that for a while.
Joachim
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