1) I subscribe to the theory that genes effect our behavior. These effects
produce broad guidelines such as how men and women view sex, how we view our
childern, how we act in social situations, and so on. This is not some
theory I just made up. I refer you to the books "The Selfish Gene" and "The
Moral Animal".
2) I subscribe to the theory that memes effect our behavior. These memes
may, or may not, work within the behavior promoted by our genes. This is
not some theory I just made up. I refer you to the book "The Selfish Gene".
3) I subscribe to the theory that memes need hosts to be active. I don't
believe in disembodied intelligence. While a meme that destroys its host
may reproduce (by spreading before it destroys its host), a meme that
destroys its host's genes (causing it to become exctinct) will not
reproduce. This is my own little addition to the two popular theories noted
in 1) and 2).
4) From 3) we can see that it is very much in the intrest of a meme to
produce behavior that complements the behavior promoted by our genes. I
gave an example of this in a previous posting when I stated that I belive
greed is a behavior promoted by our genes and that various memes and
meme-complexes thrive in that genetically created environment. So, _as a
general rule_, I see genes creating environments in which memes "live".
Similarly, a lake creates an environment where fish live. When I say I
belive memes will be hard pressed to overthrow the control that genes have
over them, its just as if I said a fish would have a hard time living out of
water. Let me state my belief clearly: A meme that goes against the genetic
good of its host will have a very low chance of survival. Genes, not memes,
are in control.
This doesn't mean that memes are not useful. Obviously, "good" memes can
promote the success of their hosts genes. I belive Virus is searching for
and trying to create "good" memes.
5) The world does not need to be saved. Other than the metaphysical
ickyness of ideas like "saving the world", I honestly believe that there is
nothing to save us from. Our genes have stood the test of time. They will
produce behavior that will prevent their own self-destruction.
This does not mean I don't think there are problems, _big_ problems, with
the world and our genes and memes effect on the world. It doesn't mean that
I ignore problems like over-population, destruction of eco-systems, and the
seemingly unstopable popularity of Rosanne. Its simply means that I think
we already have the tools to overcome these horrible dangers. These tools
are our genes and the memes which thrive in the environments created by our
genes.
Thanks,
Dave Leeper
dleeper@sybase.com
"Semi-Witty Sig Line (SWSL)" - Dave Leeper
-------------------------
On Fri, 27 Oct 1995, David Leeper wrote:
> I know I'm new to this list, and I _don't_ mean this to be insulting, but
> GIVE ME A BREAK. The world is not going to be saved by a few dozen folks
> posting strange stuff on the net. Besides, the world doesn't need to be
> saved. Our genes have everything under control. Our memes will be hard
> pressed to overthrow that control.
How do our genes have everything under control?
As a molecular biologist this is far from obvious to me.
Duane Hewitt