Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 10:37:45 -0400
From: "Robert G. Grimes" <grimes@fcol.com>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: Re: Genetics/Memetics analogy
Bill Benzon wrote:
>
> If Price to Bill Benzon:
>
> IP: >Yeah but thats life. Multi-celled technology was all over the map at the
> >time of the Burgess Shale and most schools of scholastic debate still are
> >all over their respective maps.
> >
> BB: But what does any school of memetics really have to show for itself?
>
> BB: >>The replicator of what? Neuronal patterns? & how does this replicator
> >get from one brain to another, the Vulcan Mind Meld?>
>
> IP: >Of itself.
> >
> And thereby a difficult problem has been solved by fiat, but ruling it out
> of existence. I don't buy it.
>
> BB: >How does any idea implant itself in your head?
>
I would assert:
It gets there by the normal routes of communication, symbology (aural,
visual, verbal, non-verbal) accompanied (often) by pheromones,
subliminal cues, etc. Those (in concert) are the "carriers" and the
replicatation of the original meme (fairly true as it can be in a unique
world) is "reassembled" in the milieu of the receptive organism,
probably concentrated in the cortical areas of the brain. The "shape" of
the original carriers is what determines the subsequent replicant's
character and "demeanor" within that host mileu. If the "reward or
irritant," to be really simplistic, is of sufficient potential its
liklihood of additional replications within subsequent hosts by
repetition of the communicative forces is high.
We've gone through this before but we must keep at it before we can
really satisify all of our objections or suggestions. There is nothing
"mystical or spritual" about (as there is none of this in the real
world). Be our guest, have at it again, for each time it becomes a
little more stronger and accurate...
Cordially,
Bob
-- Bob Grimeshttp://members.aol.com/bob5266/ http://www.hotwired.com/members/profile/bobinjax/ http://www.phonefree.com/Scripts/cgiParse.exe?sID=28788 Jacksonville, Florida Bob5266@aol.com grimes@fcol.com
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore....."
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