Hi,
David McFadzean <david@lucifer.com> writes:
<<
Hmmm... see, I haven't finished the book yet (just made it to chapter
13). However, I've just given
<< {this}
a couple of hours of thought -- and, you know, I really think
Blackmore's onto something. If memetics can explain the origin of
complex "design" and knowledge in culture, then *why* to we need to
postulate "creativity"? It's like one of Dennett's unnecessary "sky
hooks". The only real objection doesn't address the truth of the
issue, it address the nature of that truth: ugly and immoral!
If we are nothing but the hosts for memes and genes, and one doesn't
need to postulate freewill or creativity to explain the origin of
design (in any of it's forms) around us, then where is the meaning?
(of life)
I just finished the book and would like to add my recommendation to
Eric's. This one is a must-read, especially because the conclusions at
the end are .... disconcerting, to say the least. I can also see why
the recommendations from other authors have been cautious, Blackmore
disagrees with everyone on at least one major point.
>>
Speaking of design, what do you think of Blackmore's contention that
humans have no creative agency other than the fact that they host an
evolutionary process? I think I agree, which is why I have never
claimed to be the designer of Virus. Instead I have called myself the
First Host.
>>
And the answer is: meaning emerges when we trick ourselves with the user illusion -- when we pretend that we have some control, that we can (as Richard would say) develop clarity of purpose and change the world to what we would like to see. Is that *really* just a user illusion? And if so, does that in any way decrease how meaningful it is?
<<
Suggestions for a (short) definition?
How about something along the lines of
VIRUS: 1) Something that replicates by infecting a host. 2)
(capitalized)
The Church of Virus, a memetically engineered religion founded on the
web in 1994.
>>
Hmmm. No. I'd like to convey something of the spirit of Virus as well e.g.
VIRUS: 1) Something that replicates by infecting a host. 2) (capitalized) The Church of Virus, a memeplex which has already made you want to {click here}
Insidious, no?
ERiC