If you've used any object-oriented programming languages, you understand the
distinction between a class and an instance of a class. A class is a
definition. Objects that are instances of a class all conform to the
definition, but they are not themselves classes.
Classes have methods. For instance, if I define a class "file," it may have
methods "open," "save," and "delete" among others. That means that every
object that is a "file" MAY be opened, saved or deleted. But it certainly
does not mean that each instance of the class HAS TO be opened, saved, or
deleted before it can truly be called a file.
Therefore, when I define the class "meme" as a piece of information in a
mind that influences events such that copies of itself get created in other
minds, I am not insisting that each member of the class actually get copied.
It's enough that it's the kind of thing that is structured to behave in that
way.
One way of looking at memes is as mental programming. A mind consists of a
set of instincts and a set of memes. Together, these accept stimulus and
produce behavior. The behavior may produce a long chain of cause and effect
that may eventually copy some of the memes, or it may not. For instance, I
have chosen to program myself with a very strong meme for helping others
make progress in their lives. Because of that, I have written two books.
While "Virus of the Mind" does not contain too much on the subject (though
obviously too much for some anal-retentive academics if you read the reviews
on Amazon.com) someone who reads it and finds it valuable may then pick up
my other book, "Getting Past OK." A few of those people may then choose to
program themselves with the original meme and themselves go off to help
others in their own way.
All the best memes,
Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/
Author, "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme"
http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/votm.htm
Free newsletter! Visit Meme Central at
http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/meme.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-virus@lucifer.com [mailto:owner-virus@lucifer.com] On Behalf Of
Nathaniel Hall
Sent: Monday, August 17, 1998 7:57 PM
To: virus@lucifer.com
Subject: Re: virus: Experimental memes.
Richard Brodie wrote:
>
> The great kid Nate Hall wrote:
> And so if you have no children, your DNA contains no genes?
>
> Richard Brodie
All of my genes are the results of replication from my parents. If I had
a brand new one that then dies with me that would be a better analogy.
But genes are not memes. They have a different definition . I'm just
sticking with your original definition of a meme here. Perhaps you'd
like to change it now?
The great Nate Hall the first. (just KIDding)