Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id DAA21196 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 24 Jan 2002 03:26:02 GMT X-Originating-IP: [199.35.202.40] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Three Scientists and Their Gods Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 19:21:42 -0800 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F298NNWCFlAWhw0000c01c@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 24 Jan 2002 03:21:42.0536 (UTC) FILETIME=[3E913080:01C1A486] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>>A computer virus is nothing but a computer program, albeit somewhat pushy
>>and malevolent. Therefore, in principle you should extend the distinction
>>to
>>separate
>>memes from computer programs, which is not correct I think as computer
>>programs also feature all the properties of memes. Moreover, computer
>>programs
>>have a high longevity, vary easily and can be terribly fecund and
>>easily transmittable (by internet, discs, etc...). A typical example of a
>>potentially very
>>successful meme I would say.
>
>Your point is correct. Of course you could consider all programs as
>memes. But while it is common to be singing some popular song, hardly
>anyone is chanting the code from the computer virus someone sent you last
>week. :-)
>
>Keith Henson
>
It's my computer that does the chanting as it merrily works away destroying
my files. As to computer programs having a high longevity, I have thousands
of them on disks that my computer can no longer read and that I have no wish
to use again anyway. The course of evolution governed by Micorsoft and
Intel have made old programs unintelligible to any but old computers. I
figure the life of a program is about three to five years, if it's popular.
Windows 2000 may resemble Windows 3 in some ways, but it is not the same
program. It's a different species. It can't have intercourse with old
software.
Grant
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