Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19980225212556.009275f0@voruta.vu.lt>
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 21:25:56 +0200
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
From: Kastytis Beitas <kastytis.beitas@gf.vu.lt>
Subject: Re: memetics-digest V1 #19 | about self-replication
In-Reply-To: <3.0.3.32.19980224110848.007a09f0@pop.netaddress.com>
>I’m arguing here with the conception of the meme’s ability of
>self-replication. The existence of memes (the same as for "selfish" genes
>and organisms) and their replication could be performed only in a system.
>Therefore, there are no memes (nor genes) with-out and out-of a system
>(organism). OK?
But from other point of view an efficient meme enforces in some way the
system to replicate itself (meme). Not system shows its will, but meme
coerces the system.
If system is conscious, it may think that meme replication act was
voluntary. But it wasn’t! (from point of memetic view).
>Let’s make things more simple, even if it is not always a good method:
>A system with a "living" meme produces a piece of paper with inscribed
>patterns. Has this meme the self-replication capability? NO. We can address
>this piece of paper only as a structure representing a meme (it is not the
>original meme). We need a whole system with a copy machine and the WILL
>(goal) to make copies of this particular meme picture. BUT, the "quality"
>of the copy is affected by the "quality" of the system that made the first
>replica and that of the copy machine. So, what we finally have? A number of
>copies (structures) containing replicas of "would be" memes. Only if one of
>these copies, by chance, came in the contact with another semicompatible
>system it is possible that a creation of a "living" replica of the original
>meme could happen.
All this do not negates the possibility that memes have a quality to
enforce some 'host' systems to replicate them.
Kastytis Beitas
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