[Buddha-l] Memes

[Barnaby Thieme]

My understanding is that the concept of "meme" refers to the propogation of 
information throiugh a cultural network. Some folks have noticed that the 
way ideas or constructs spread between individuals and groups obeys the laws 
selective adaptation that guides evolution. An idea might propogate widely, 
not because it is a good idea, but because it is a robust and successful 
reproducer.

For example, an evangelical religion might discourage critical thinking and 
encourage active prosetylization, which would mean it was a "virulent meme", 
in the sense that it encourages self-propogation.

The term is becoming more and more frequently misused to refer to any idea 
or construct that exists in a culture.

regards,
Barnaby Thieme



_________________________________

It's my manner. It looks insubordinate, but it isn't, really. - T. E. 
Lawrence




>From: Jim Peavler <jmp at peavler.org>
>Reply-To: Buddhist discussion forum <buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com>
>To: Buddhist discussion forum <buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com>
>Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Memes amd me
>Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:14:55 -0700
>
>I suppose instinct is correct, although I don't know if there is a  
>technical difference amongst biologists. It is like, for example, a  young 
>monkey learns to wash clams before eating them if she goes with  the adults 
>to the seaside everyday, but a similar monkey, isolated  from the clan but 
>with access to the same clams might eat clams  (instinct/genetic), but 
>never think of washing them.
>
>"Meme" should always be kept separate from "mime", of course, which  means 
>"one who imitates monkeys".
>
>
>
>
>On Jan 25, 2007, at 8:12 AM, Joy Vriens wrote:
>
>>Hi Jim,
>>
>>>I don't know for sure what curt meant, but biologically a meme is
>>>some characteristic or attribute of a species or culture that is
>>>passed from one generation to another without a genetic base: i.e.,
>>>it is passed on by imitation or teaching or custom and has no genetic
>>>base.
>>
>>Instinct?
>>
>>Joy
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>buddha-l mailing list
>>buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
>>http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l
>>
>
>Jim Peavler
>jmp at peavler.org
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>buddha-l mailing list
>buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
>http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l

_________________________________________________________________
>From predictions to trailers, check out the MSN Entertainment Guide to the 
Academy Awards® 
http://movies.msn.com/movies/oscars2007/?icid=ncoscartagline1