> Er, none of the above. I think it's the fact that the whole theory is
> so philosophically/theoretically untenable. Yeah, that's probably it.
Not to be hostile about it, but, have you tried faith? Sure, it sounds
bizarre, but, so did the concept of air travel way back when.
> Problem #1: ideas are not, under any circumstances, *life forms*. Viruses
> are. Ideas are not.
Biological viruses are strands of DNA wrapped in a protein coat, unable
to move on their own, relying on Brownian motion instead. Maybe they
think on a quantum level. That would be freaky: Each atom a neuron,
each electron a nerve impulse.
> Problem #2: viruses do not depend upon other life forms for their creation.
> Ideas *do*.
Beg to differ here. Hypothetically, what about a pattern in an inanimate
object? Such as a rock with a pattern of bumps that happens to resemble
Jesus. Not necessairly man-made, but the idea of it would spread like
wild fire (just like visions of Jesus seen in windows, tortillas, etc).
> Problem #3: memetics oversimplifies a) evolutionary theory b) the human
Compared to life forms, ideas are vastly simpler than life forms, so
wouldn't it stand to reason that evolution, as it applies to ideas, would
be simpler?
> mind c) human culture d) human cultural dissemination e) pretty much
We don't really understand the human mind, if we do at all. Maybe we're
trying too hard, moving on such a level that we're making it more
complicated than it really is. I don't know.
> anything it addresses.
Just wondering: Are you a programmer? If you are, how did you start
out? Writing the Worm? Nope, most likely you began with the really,
really simple stuff, and worked your way up. As society evolves, so will
memetic theory, and our understanding of same.
> In short I think the whole theory, while an interesting metaphor (thanks
> Greg), is, in general, just crap. Anyone who has studied biological
> theory, philosophy, social theory, or psychology just looks at it and
> (essentially) says, "Heh, yeah, right." And shakes it off as drivel.
>
> My major problem with it (other than the fact that *I* think it's
> crap) is that so many other people think it's crap.
Timothy Leary put it best: "Think for yourself and question authority."
Do you take what others say about memetics as the gospel? I guess not,
because 'others' includes those that believe in it. But, that's beside
the point. <puts the knife and split hair down> Find your own truth
about it, is what I'm trying to say. Try experimenting with it on your
own, and see how it works. If it doesn't work for you, then it's dreck.
If it does, cool.
> Sorry if I sound a little vehement in my opinions. I've had a rough day.
That's ok. This week has positivly sucked the nitro out of dynamite for me.
Bryce Lynch
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
doctor who - del | finger for lousy reason for name/addr. conflict
"Something in the air/treat me like a child/you can lead me on..all night.."
http://www.lm.com/~bryce <--- still under construction!