Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 04:35:53 -0400
From: Dr I Price <PEWLEYFORT@compuserve.com>
Subject: Artificial Societies and memetics
To: "INTERNET:memetics@mmu.ac.uk" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Shai ophir asks
>I wonder what are the relations between memetics and
complex systems theory. Especially computer simulations of complex system=
s.
We can see the evolutionary development of social relations in computeriz=
ed
simulations (such as "Sugarscape"). Do uou suggest to consider such an
emergance as a meme? The emergent cooperation for example, is not an idea=
which resides somewhere.In fact, it is not located within any of the
entities simulated in a computer. But the cooperation among the virtual
creatures is evolutionary self-developing. Can we consider this cooperati=
on
a meme?<
Shai
I would see it as the emergence of a memetic phemotype [or an ecology of
different memetic phemotypes]. Complex adaptive systems [replicator based=
]
not only emerge order; they maintain it.
Co-operation, ion either memetic or genetic domains can emerge as a stabl=
e
evoluionary strategy under certain conditions. Axelrod's 1984 book
'Evolution of co-operation' is a good starting point.
At risk of self-aggandising I refer you to py papers, acessible from URL =
below, where detailed references can be found.
Robin Wood and I address this issue in our complexity seminars [see his
earlier posts for details.
Others on this list may find the Complexity and Management List a useful
adjunct
http://lissack.com/maillist/Mailinglist.html
will get you to the list archive.
If Price
Active Personal Learning, Guildford UK
http://members.aol.com/ifprice/ifresch.html
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