Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id VAA22368 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 14 Feb 2002 21:34:28 GMT X-Originating-IP: [194.117.133.84] From: "Steve Drew" <srdrew_1@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Words and Memes Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 21:28:53 +0000 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F123ZAPZQPKv40d7KcP0000885c@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 14 Feb 2002 21:28:54.0111 (UTC) FILETIME=[9A4A5EF0:01C1B59E] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 18:53:27 -0800
From: "Dace" <edace@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Words and Memes
Grant,
> >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.
>
>I find it hard to separate ideas from memes.
Then what's the point of invoking memes? Why not just refer to them as
ideas?
>And how can the person who picks up a new meme have it running on
>autopilot as soon as he picks it up? Or wasn't it a meme he picked
up?
When you assume the validity of ideas without genuinely examing them,
then
it's not so much that you've picked up the ideas but that they've picked
up
you.
> >That which is everywhere is nowhere. The term means nothing when it
> >refers to everything.
>
>Since they are part of every cell in every living thing and ubiquitous
>throughout the surface of the earth, genes are everywhere and yet we
>find the concept to be most useful and applicable. Why are memes any
>different?
Genes have a well-defined boundary. They can't be equated with any old
thing. They're not "everywhere" in the figurative sense.
Ted<
With respect to the ideas / memes thing. I wouyld suggest that all ideas are
memes (or have some memetic quality) but that not all memes are ideas.
Regards,
Steve
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