Re: virus: What is meant by "memes affecting genes"?

zaimoni@ksu.edu
Sat, 19 Oct 1996 00:27:02 -0500 (CDT)


On Wed, 16 Oct 1996, David Leeper wrote:

> :> Genes are chunks of DNA. Memes are stored in the neural nets of the brain. It is impossible
> :> to encode memes into genes.
> :
> :I disagree. For example, let's imagine a species which has just
> :deveoped a meme of co-operation. Let us also imagine that it works
> :i.e. it enhances that species ability to propogate. When genes arise
> :which facilitate the co-operation meme, those genes will be more
> :likely to survive. Thus we have a meme evolving into a genetic
> :quality, given enough time.
>
> What sort of genes would facilitate a co-operation meme?
> --
> David Leeper
> Homo Deus
> http://home1.gte.net/dleeper/index.htm

On a less intelligent scale:
Would an ant colony count as an example of a species which is
genetically dominated by a meme of cooperation [among others]?
I'm not certain which genes would count on a human scale.

Which behaviors count is easy, though. Glance at the Tao Te Ching's
definition of proper education [or lack thereof] for the common man.

[READ THE TEXT, NOT THE INTERPRETERS!]

Any genes that facilitate ignorance would at least superficially count.
There's a reason why IQ tests only measure raw speed of thought....
[ideally ;)]

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