RE: menes or gemes? (was Re: virus: Martyrdom)

zaimoni@ksu.edu
Wed, 13 Nov 1996 22:19:24 -0600 (CST)


On Fri, 8 Nov 1996, Martin Traynor wrote:

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[CLIP]

> * We cannot change our genes (yet) but we can change our memes. I
> have noticed that when our memes attempt to suppress our genes then
> unproductive (or downright destructive) behaviour often ensues. If we
> can correctly attribute what is driving a certain action we can
> perhaps do something about it. If our genes drive us towards
> behaviour which our memes will not accept then to redirect those
> drives strikes me as less dangerous than to try to suppress them.

It also works in reverse. ALL of the major mental illnesses seem to be
implemented by biochemical "malfunctions" that may have extreme
environmental influence, but very little memetic influence.

Most concretely:
A fairly good measurement of the phase a bipolar-affected person is can
be done by taking a melatonin level.

[It seems that the blood-level regulation of the Ultimate Antidepressant
is highly unstable. The meme "most emotions have some external reason"
is pretty much destroyed by this, and the functioning of its remnant is
alternatively called depression and 'completely disconnected from
reality'. Note that a more accurate/useful memetic complex is not
attacked by the biochemistry.]

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