RE: virus: the shine of enlightenment

Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Thu, 4 Feb 1999 17:07:22 -0800

Norene wrote:

<<Isn't it true that people learn better when they are
motivated by the content,>>

I know of no evidence to support this assertion.

<< that we retain what is of value to us
(emotional response) and toss what is of no value?>>

Then why can I still sing half a dozen cigarette jingles that I haven't heard for 25 years?

<< Oh no, here I am
again weaving human qualities, instead of separating them like many of my CoV mentors. Maybe the fervor comes from the fever of learning. Yeah, do me a favor, don't call me a cookie. >>

No, you're certainly right that emotional responses play a big role in pursuing learning. But while learning for love of the subject is a powerful motivator, it is a rare one. Fear of various sorts is a much more common means of motivation.

<<To stay in place, you have to run. To get anywhere, you have to run even
harder. --The Red Queen>>

Sounds exhausting.

Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/ Author, "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme" http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/votm.htm Free newsletter! Visit Meme Central at
http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/meme.htm