Date: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 16:08:32 -0400
From: Thomas McMahan <tamcmahan@erols.com>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: Re: astrology-talk behavior
I do get the point of your astrology parable, but I'm left wondering
that a memetic approach can easily reduce itself into silliness with the
notion that all ideas are equivalent, even mistaken ones, as long as it
satisfies some particular need of mine at the moment. I think the
parallel between genes (whose "mistakes" advance their evolution in an
unthinking way) and memes (whose very existence is wrapped up in
thinking) can be taken too far.
If, on the other hand, your story was meant in an ironic or wry way, its
a good one!
Aaron Lynch wrote:
>
> A personal anecdote on this thread:
>
> Last week, I thought I was an "Aquarius." This was not based on any hard
> evidence, or even on 'lab' results. The only reason I ever accepted the
> label "Aquarius" was because that's what someone born in the U.S. told me.
>
> Several days ago, I went on a first date with a classical musician from
> Japan. When she asked what day was my birthday, I told her. She then said
> that I am an "Aries." She explained that this was a good sign, because she
> was "Aries" too. So now I am an "Aries." Who am I to say that one strain of
> astrology is superior to any other?
>
> I think Richard might follow this reasoning...
>
> --Aaron Lynch
>
> http://www.mcs.net/~aaron/thoughtcontagion.html
>
> ===============================================================
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===============================================================
This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit