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> * 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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/   Towards the conversion of data into information....
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/   Kenneth Boyd
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