Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id EAA08587 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Mon, 11 Feb 2002 04:12:11 GMT Message-ID: <004501c1b2b1$a7843720$8086b2d1@teddace> From: "Dace" <edace@earthlink.net> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> References: <LAW2-F146qR77bieLYC00001220@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Words and Memes Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 20:07:41 -0800 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-Mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Grant
> > Culture can be divided into intentional and memetic.
> > While the "atoms of culture" are always taking on a
> > life of their own-- far beyond the intentions of
> > their creators-- we are continually regenerating
> > culture from the foundation. Even if a particular
> > tune is known to be "catchy," if I consciously
> > decide to hum it, it's a function of intentional
> > culture. Only when it starts playing on its own--
> > and continues replaying long after it's begun to
> > annoy me-- does it become a function of memetic
> > culture.
>
> It's hard to choose and use a tool unintentionally.
Which is why it doesn't make much sense to regard memes as tools. Ideas are
tools. Ways of doing things can be thought of as tools. Memes spring up
when the tools start running on auto-pilot.
Ted
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