Re: virus: New List Member

Aina & Bones (goldengarden@arjang.mail.telia.com)
Mon, 31 Aug 1998 13:28:35 +0200


C.A. Cook wrote:
>
> Welcome aboard, Bones!

Thanks Cory!

> The idea behind memetics is that if
> you could do this, you would find that ideas
> spread, reproduce, and compete following
> the rules of evolution.

If I have understood you a meme could be likened to a small program such
as a computer virus. This would like the clinical virus have it's own
agenda and self interests. It could be considered as having life as I
believe has been suggested in the case of the computer virus and it
would "live" in it's host either in a symbiotic or parasitic
relationship.

It would then be desirable to avoid parasitic memes (especially
unsuccessful ones) and to seek colonization by symbiotic meme cultures
that protect the organism in regard to health and that otherwise create
conditions conducive to survival and growth. I suppose that in this
connection it could also be argued that If one had the right meme or
combination of memes one could achieve eternal life or big bucks;
hopefully both. Do I seemed to have grasped the Idea or perhaps I should
say been infected.

Of course, in transmission
> there are all kinds of mutation going on, so
> two people never really hold the same idea.
> But if you could track the macro movements
> of an idea, I'm sure that the study of memes
> would be justified.

They do sound like interesting critters. Is there purported an emotional
equivalent to the meme?

Ciao!

Bones