Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 11:32:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Elmo recio <polywog@drexel.edu>
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Subject: RE: Inernal meme?
In-Reply-To: <B0006439924@hamextw01.htcomp.net>
Elmo:
If you stand back and look at the rope you can see the wave travel down
the rope as it's shaken up and down. However, each atom of the rope
does not demonstrate the property of a wave. The wave exists AND the
atoms are following all the laws of physics/chemistry.
The same may be said of a neon sign spelling `Eat at Joes.' Looking at
each neon atom, will tell of nothing of the sign's message. However, all
of the atoms are following the rules of chemistry/physics AND the sign
is spelling (when standing back looking at it) `Eat at Joes.'
Mark:
Your rope example is a matter of physics. Your sign example is a matter of
semiotics. I recommend study of the wave equation before trying to relate
the two.
Elmo:
I am not trying to relate the two. I am just saying that the properties
of the `big picture' are not in the atom itself. Each atom is doing its
thing, and following it's own laws. You won't see `eat at joes' spelled
out in the atom of neon. And you won't see a wave in the atom of a rope.
however, putting it all together, you /will/ see the big picture. This
is what i mean by `belief of' as far as the neurons are concerned.
I can take the analogy a step furthur to say that you wont see little
humans in the cells of humans... or a little heart in the cell of a
heart. And, the whole point of bringing this up: you wont see an idea,
or belief system in the cell of a brain. Only when you stand back and
see how the pieces all work together can you get any idea of what diner
you've hit while travelling down Route 1.
--Elmo Recio; Philadelphia, PA 19103; USA Email: emr22@drexel.edu Homepage: http://polywog.navpoint.com/~elmo Sociology/Philosophy student at Drexel Univ
"If you want me all you have to do Is ask a thousand questions Triplicate and file under 'Simple things you ask to make a young boy sigh' Young boy sigh" -Belle And Sebastian (Simple Things)
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