Re: virus: Memes and Modes

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Tue, 25 Mar 1997 08:55:17 -0800 (PST)


On Mon, 24 Mar 1997, David McFadzean wrote:

> At 09:14 AM 24/03/97 -0800, Tim Rhodes wrote:
> >Not if you can do multi-tasking.
>
> That's what I meant by "being able to switch between modes quickly
> and transparently". What's the difference between multi-tasking and
> being inconsistent?

Smart-ass answer: Ask your computer if its inconsistent when its
multi-tasking.

Thoughtful (to a point) answer: I think we (humans) are capable of doing
more than one thing at a time. We can tell the tale of the blue-skinned
god that got out of his canoe at the third waterfall to take a leak and
created the our universe by accident, and at the same time part of our
brain will make sure our grammar and spelling is correct. You can design
a MemeHazard symbol (for instance) and be working on both (informational)
content and visual impact at the same time.

Maybe this /is/ just "switching between modes quickly." But even if it
is, why would that be inconsistent? (see smart-ass reply)

-Prof. Tim