I'm saying that memetics is a process which occurs at all levels of
development from that of the cell to that of behavior (see the bit on
pragmatism from today's post). I am saying that the actual physical
structure of meme must have certain characteristics--they must be recorded
in a stable form which is understood to have the evolutionary properties of
passing charisterics "on to the next host". Because of these criteria, I am
saying that the meme will be scientifically designated as that
structure/process within a gene by which genes record "behavioral changes"
(as opposed to simply physical characteristics).
I am not saying that there is no behavorial equivalent to this proposed
genetic structure. I am not saying that the only way behavior is passed on
is through the gene. I am not saying that "memes" at the level of "jingles"
and "slogans" must first be encoded into a gene before they can "infect"
someone else. But I am saying that memetics viewed from the level of
jingles and slogans only provides behavioral *evidence* that memes
exist...and that jingles and slogans are not memes.
Brett
Returning,
rBERTS%n
Rabble Sonnet Retort
Stop searching. Happiness is right next to you.