Memes as 'experiential-reaction protocols'
Our reactions to our experiences determine whether or not we will survive.
Our experiential simulation/ 'imagination' faculty provides us the means and
method of configuring our reaction sequences to our experiences, i.e. of
structuring our "experiential-reaction neurocircuitry configuration" (ERNC).
We experience one another's reactions to our own experiential reactions in a
'self-organizing' (self-configuring) feedback process.
Using our 'associative' experiential information indexing logic, which
includes our language logic as a sophisticated enhancement, we retrieve
experiential info from our 'memory' into our 'imagination buffer', and there,
mix it, morph it, merge it, and manipulate it to construct novel experientialreaction
sequence 'scenarios', or simulations. But this
'simulation'/'imagination' activity comprises a certain amount of work, and
requires the dedication of our ER (i.e. 'consciousness') resources for
specific time periods.
By reacting to recurring experiences in the same way each time, we strengthen
the synaptic pathways which correspond to those experiential-reaction
sequences. By structuring our environment to consist of recurring
experiences, we are able to maximize the utility of these existing ERNCs
(pathways) and thereby save the time and effort necessary to 'plan' our
reaction sequence to (i.e. construct new ERNCs in response to) novel
experiences. [This is an analogy and extension of the principle by which a
'standard' environment allows us to reuse our body's physical configuration of
parts over and over, and prevents us from having to 'evolve' new ones. Our
'experiential simulation/imagination' faculty allows us to undergo a kind of
'hyper-evolution' /adaptation process.]
Since we are part of each other's experiential environment, our reactions to
our experiences of each other become each other's experiences. By reacting in
'standard' ways to 'standard' behaviors of others ("Good morning. How are
you?" "I'm fine, how are you?" "Great! Have a good one." "You too", as a
very simple example), we are able to maximize the utility of our existing
neuro-synaptic pathways (ERNCs), i.e. our existing 'knowledge' (or 'map', in
GS terms). We see these standardized experiential-reaction sequences, or "ER
protocols", propagate through our social inter-reactions as 'memes'.
Chris Turner 1-25-99