RE: virus: Levels

Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:37:38 -0800

Ha! Crack me up!

Remember, though, Level 3 isn't about "false" concepts, just about recognition that there are different, mutually conflicting, useful maps. Use the one that leads you to your treasure.

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

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-virus@lucifer.com [mailto:owner-virus@lucifer.com]On Behalf Of MICHAEL.FULFORD.HD2O@statefarm.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 11:47 AM To: virus@lucifer.com
Subject: virus: Levels

Jake:
>Perhaps the bodhisatva will come down from the mountain again (is it "level
3"
>or "level 4" up there in the heavens?) and explain that one to us. Do you
get
>medals or insignia when you make it to the next higher level? When do you
get
>to the "level beyond human"? And will I make it in time for the next
>spaceship?

>I personally don't think it is sanely possible, or even desireable
>to hold and operate on inconsistent world views.

I don't think you're alone in your view. There is already a widely used term
in the field of cognitive science for what R.B. desribes as "level 3." That term is "psychosis". From Tabers Medical Dictionary...

                  Psychosis:  "...this condition is manifest in the
behavior,
                  emotional reaction and ideation fo the patient, who fails
to
                  mirror reality as it is, reacts erroneously to it, and
builds
                  up false concepts regarding it."

"Ideation; "fails to mirror reality"; "builds up false concepts"? Could these
descriptions apply to someone who has attained level three?

On the other hand, this definition comes from the same people who in the DSM-IV
cite "tardiness" as a cognitive disorder. So, you really have to wonder about
their (psychiatric commmunity) motive$.

Also, my intention is not to make any judgement about level 3 theory, but just
to make an observation. I'm a new student to memetics and may not have enough
immersion at this point to make any valid criticism. I just purchased "Virus
Of The Mind" this weekend and am working through that. (When I can get it away
from brother--who says he loves it!)

Michael Fulford