Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 08:31:34 -0400
From: Paul Marsden <PMarsden@compuserve.com>
Subject: Scientology Memes
To: "INTERNET:memetics@mmu.ac.uk" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Scientology, according to some sources, is the fastest growing religion i=
n
the Western World. Why? A: The scientology belief structure is a comple=
x
of very fit memes. Q: What are those memes?
This is my current project and rather try to set the agenda with my own
theories, I want to throw this open for a brainstroming, this group's fir=
st
exercise in applied memetics. The task is to produce an exhaustive list =
of
memes that MAY be part of belief structure (ie one's that you would expe=
ct
to find in any cult). In non memetic parlance, what is it about
Scientology that makes it so attractive? I will collate the list, and po=
st
it out for comments. Then I will go and empirically test for their
presence in the Scientology belief structure, and those that test positi=
ve
I will benchmark their relative fitness in an experiment this July. I ne=
ed
an exhaustive list of as many memes as possible. Let's start doing som=
e
memetics, rather than just talking about it!
The floor is open............
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