Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id EAA15306 (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 04:34:00 GMT Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 20:29:36 -0800 Message-Id: <200201220429.g0M4Tar10538@mail20.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: [65.80.47.144] From: "Joe Dees" <joedees@addall.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: RE: Recursive def. of the meme Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk('binary' encoding is not supported, stored as-is)
> memetics@mmu.ac.ukDate: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 23:02:44 -0500
> "Philip Jonkers" <PHILIPJONKERS@prodigy.net> Recursive def. of the memeReply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>For what it's worth, I propose this definition of the meme:
>
>Recursive def. o/t meme:
>An element of culture that can be replicated/transmitted.
>In addition, it has a set of properties or features that
>determine its uniqueness which, in turn, are memes too (by some
>mode).
>
>In other words: a meme can be expressed in other more primitive
>memes.
>This definition has the benefit that it explicitly recognizes the
>observation
>that memes can be expressed in memes, which can be expressed in
>memes etc...
>New memes have to be expandable in known memes in order
>to disseminate and communicate its existence over the population.
>The process of recursion ends when the level of expressive memes
>becomes
>so primitive that further recursion is impossible (the
>non-uniqueness
>condition is then violated). This level may be called the atomic
>level
>of memes.
>
>Examples:
>
>An idea can be expressed in phrases, metaphors, slogans,
>single sentences, themes, theorems etc. which constitutes the
>first
>primitive level. In turn, phrases, metaphors and the like can be
>expressed
>in single words, the second primitive level. Words can be
>expressed in letters
>and marks. Further recursion is impossible as the sticks, bars
>and circles
>used to construct character do not uniquely belong to one
>particular
>character. The single symbols therefore constitute the atomic
>meme-level.
>
>An invention such as the airplane consists of parts like wheels,
>wings,
>fuselage and cockpit which may constitutes the first primitive
>level.
>Wings consist of flat and curved metal plates, fuel containers
>and a
>metallic framework to keep the construction together: the second
>primitive
>level. The metal plates may consist of several metallic layers,
>paint,
>anti-corrosive layers and nuts and bolts. All these elements can
>be
>expressed in more detail by giving the materials or chemicals
>involved,
>ways of fabrication, number of threads in bolts, etc. This level
>of
>description would be the atomic level (although recursion may go
>beyond
>this point from engineering into the realm of physics and
>chemistry.)
>
>A complex behavior such as a fancy eating etiquette or royal
>inauguration
>may be decomposed in several programs of bodily movements. Each
>of these
>programs may be expressed further into more primitive patterns of
>movement/
>behavior until the movements are too mundane and non-unique to
>allow further
>recursion. The atomic level has been reached then.
>
>Comments, additions, wise-cracks? All are welcome...
>
>Philip.
>
Single letters and numbers of the alphanumeric system would be foundational for written language, phonemes would be foundational for spoken discourse, and basic shapes and chemical elements would be foundational for technology.
>
>
>===============================================================
>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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