Re: virus: Meme vs concept
Tom Loeber (chiploeber@telis.org)
Tue, 14 May 1996 15:35:52 -0700 (PDT)
>>As far as I can tell there is no difference except perhaps the need to
>>impress or as you quoted "intimidate." Perhaps there is value in
>
>"Concept" and "meme" are not identical. A meme is a concept that replicates
>and evolves through variation and selection analogous to biological genetics.
>
>>intimidating "faith-sufferers" so they don't end up hogging a conversation
>>meant to explore finding "faith" in understanding, in expectations based on
>>knowledge. Seems to me the Church of Virus already has the makings of a
>>priesthood which in my eyes means it is losing validity as a religion that
>>seeks adherence to science.
>
"Concepts" don't do all you attribute to "memes"? Then how the heck did we
get to where we are today without memes or did we just not know that we were
using memes all this time, mistakenly claiming that science was the
discovery, development, evolution, variation and selection of proposed
concepts? Semantics is at least one step below the general systems theory
we need to explore and develop for the furtherance of our welfare. It's
still pretty important so I take the time to put in the extra quotation
marks that designate the labels rather then their intent and I participate a
bit in this discussion on the meaning of meaning, but, eventually, a man
grows tired of playing games.
>
>It is true that the Church of Virus is designed to adhere to science.
>I was frustrated by the fact that all world religions, though incredibly
>powerful social structures, resorted to some sort of mysticism or blind
>faith so I decided to create a new one that was not. Could you elaborate
>on your last point?
>
Okay, I'll give it a try. The scientific method is an attempt to disclose
observations in a way that facilitates sharing those observations in such a
manner that they can be replicated and tested by others. Science is the
body of information built upon such testable observations. A "priesthood"
is an elite that has special knowledge that they own and only share
sparingly to preserve their special designation and aloofness from the
general populous. A priesthood has a special lexicon as well as traditions
and practices that require allegiance to specific teachers and proponents of
the faith. A priesthood profits from the continued ignorance of others. A
scientist seeks to bring greater clarification, efficiency and understanding
to all people. A true scientist seeks to share and develop wealth. Not so
for a priesthood.
>
Hey! I'm totally with you in the desire to find spiritual understanding
that does not negate science. You don't know how grateful I am for the
Church of Virus and its intent though I suspect it be just a transitory
phenomenon that this endeavor be labeled as it is. I hope my contributions
aren't detracting from your goal.