Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 16:59:19 +0200
From: "Gatherer, D. (Derek)" <D.Gatherer@organon.nhe.akzonobel.nl>
Subject: RE: Inernal meme?
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Bob:
I think that Hans smiled because he was speculating on whether two people
were
each part of the others environment, and, if so, why the response of one to
the
other couldn't be a "contagious" environmental effect?
Derek:
I don't follow, a contagious environmental effect?
Bob:
Certainly, I have been
present when pheromones have activated a whole room full of people. The
pheromones were stimulated in response both to semantic signals, words
(environmental signals), and additional pheromones, and upon sensing the
combined effects I would commence looking for the most likely origin.
Usually,
it would from an unescorted lady who was saying something that indicated she
was
both in need of companionship and demonstrating by actions a similar bodily
display. This was, no doubt, accompanied by appropriate pheromonal stimuli
(including perfume). Men, whether accompanied or not, would immediately
commence
activity, perhaps pacing in place (pawing the ground), and become
"restless,"
and I've frequently referred to such responses as the "rooster effect."
Derek:
Yes, okay, I follow so far. But is that memetic? I think I see what you're
driving at, that (internal) meme transmission can in some circumstances be a
pheromonal efect? If so, I have some ideas on that, but is that what you
are saying?
===============================================================
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