Re: Words and Memes

From: Dace (edace@earthlink.net)
Date: Fri Feb 15 2002 - 18:44:24 GMT

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From: "Dace" <edace@earthlink.net>
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Subject: Re: Words and Memes
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 10:44:24 -0800
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    From: Steve Drew

    > > > >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?
    >
    > 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.

    Ideas become memetic only when they self-replicate. When they replicate
    through human intention, they're just ideas. Yes, memes can involve
    behavior as well as ideas. But if we equate memes with behavior and ideas,
    then we might as well just refer to behavior and ideas and forget about
    "memes." There has to be something that distinguishes some behaviors and
    ideas from others. When they're not only habitual but *culturally*
    habitual, then they constitute memes.

    Ted

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