Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 10:19:56 -0700
From: Bill Spight <bspight@pacbell.net>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: Re: when is a meme selfish?
Dear Wade,
> The only reason I would use a toaster (to stay with the toaster) to burn
> bread would be because I know what bread is, and I know what toast is,
> and I know it needs an electrical outlet and I know I have to put the
> bread in and push down the button.
>
> There is an entire set of circumstances where I could replicate this
> toaster completely, right down to duplicating the serial number and
> manufacturing date, but there is no guarantee, unless my immediate
> cultural environment contains enough 'memes' about toast and toasting,
> that I would ever drop a slice of bread into it and have the marmalade
> ready....
>
Your remarks are in line with Weber's idea that the meaning of a cultural artifact resides in its purpose. <s>
Best,
Bill
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