From: <MemeLab@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 03:34:36 EDT
Subject: Re: The information theoretic view Was: JOM
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
In a message dated 9/5/1999 5:56:12 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
robin@faichney.demon.co.uk writes:
>>If Richard is really being obstructionist, it
>would be wiser to either discuss it privately with him or not at all.
You're right, Jake, I need to think a little more before hitting that
Send button. Look out for evidence that I'm doing so. <<
BTW, just for the record, I really don't think Richard is being an
obstructionist - though I allow that I could be wrong about that. I think he
is just expressing reservations that anybody considering empirical processes
for a working science of memetics would address. I personally share his
skepticisms, though I am the first delighted to see people trying to devolope
rigorous models. We have to start with something if we hope to eventually
end up with something that actually works.
Though I obviously don't think that information alone can provide a complete
account of memetics, I do not see any reason in principle why it cannot
provide at least a partial and useful account. Many well respected and
established sciences never achieve anything greater than that (physics so far
for starters).
-Jake
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