Re: Psychedelics and memes

Bill Benzon (bbenzon@mindspring.com)
Wed, 09 Jun 1999 14:36:42 -0400

Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 14:36:42 -0400
From: Bill Benzon <bbenzon@mindspring.com>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: Re: Psychedelics and memes

Dave Gross wrote:

> Well, I've given some thought to this area, so I'll throw out a few
> observations, although I'm worried that a discussion like this is liable
> to go flying off-topic in a hurry.

No doubt, but that's pretty much par for the memetic course anyhow.

In general, psychoactive drugs (a broader category than psychedelics) are very
important in human society. I'd think psychedelics were pretty important. While
it's not specifically about drugs, the following book is about the origins and
evolution of culture and is directly relevant to this:

Instinct and Revelation : Reflections on the Origins of Numinous Perception (World
Futures General Evolution, Volume 10) by Alondra Yvette Oubre, Paperback
(September 1997) Gordon & Breach Science Pub; ISBN: 9056995286.

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