Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 17:41:30 +0000
From: Bruce Howlett <bhowlett@metz.une.edu.au>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: Re: To have a mnemon
>let's face it, if academics don't buy your theory then it's never going to be
intellectually respectible.
I have a problem with this statement in relation to the intention of
progressing any scientific theory or concept. Who are we trying to sell this
to? Is "respectability" the objective? I would suggest that the established
academic community are neither the target nor the body from which approval
should be sought. In the realms of culture, the only satisfactory criteria is
"does it work?" I would hate to think that all this cognitive effort is about
"approval". When this Science of Memetics is progressed to a point where it
is obvious to all that there is a benefit to Social Science (in particular)
and the human race (in general), then the establishment academics will say
"what a good idea". All good ideas appear logical in hindsight (de Bono).
Bruce Howlett
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