virus: What makes memes compete?

Reed Konsler (konsler@ascat.harvard.edu)
Fri, 11 Apr 1997 17:41:49 -0400


From: Robin Faichney <r.j.faichney@stir.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 09:45:00 +0100

Tim Rhodes wrote:
>...it is in the interest of your genes
>to protect your brother until the risk is greater than 50-50 that you,
>yourself, will die (for half of your genes can survive through him).

Rubbish! This is one of the most common "scientific" canards.
How many genes do siblings share? Well, I'm led to believe
that humans and chimpanzees share about 98%. Just think
about it, OK?
*****************************

Perhaps gene "alikeness" is like the weather: a chaotic phenomena.
In such a case 2% might be (a certianly appears to be) a literal
world of difference. It is amazing that kin are able to distinguish
such subtle differences, hmm? But, then, I guess that is what they
are evolved to do.

Reed