Re: virus: Power

KMO (c538128@mizzou1.missouri.edu)
Sat, 27 Jul 1996 14:21:24 -0600


Ken Pantheists wrote:
>KMO wrote:
>>
>> Overt attempts to regulate "memetic material" come in the forms of
>> censorship and copyright protection.
>
>Yes. I couldn't agree with you more. But, again, I'm not talking about
>regulating. I suppose the closest analogy I can make is an artist's
>manifesto. Manifestos are went out of style with modernism, but there is
>value to a group of people getting together and hashing out what moves
>them about what they do.

You've read the Co-opted "Manifest-o-Matic" on the inside cover of the C
Supplement? I first encountered the Manifest-o-matic autonym in Douglas
Rushkoff's book, "Media Virus!" It might be fun and useful to craft a
version which more directly reflects Virian values.

>
>I think of the infosphere as very un-sphere-like. i.e. it does not have
>the unity of a sphere. It exists because (and in spite of) billions of
>private experiences. These experiences are coming closer together
>because of electronic media...

I agree, that's why I prefer the term "C-Realm." That and because the term
references the C meme-complex.

>Memetics gives you a choice.-- you don't have to let all of the insects
>in your house. You have memetic bug screens!

i.e. bozo filters.

>
>I'm getting way off topic-- let me just say that I agree with what you
>say about censorship. But what I'm talking about is exercising
>judgement-- good judgement, good self judgement.

Can't argue with that. Well, I actually I could. An argumentative nature
and three years of philosphy grad school have instilled in me the habit of
examining all claims and testing out possible challenges to them as a
matter of reflex, but in this case it would just be an exercise. I agree
that careful and thorough-going self-examination and conscious
consideration of the memes we propagate are of the utmost importance.
>
>
>Ultimately that's what an ethical choice is, no?

Yes.

>
>
>What would you do if you new someone were propogating a meme about you
>that you knew to be false?
>
>I'm not talking about a rumour. I'm talking about a whole cultural
>attitude about you and those associated with you that said, maybe, you
>kidnap children and eat them?
>
>Would you just let that meme through?

That's a toughy. Attempts to propagate a counter-meme which makes direct
reference to the meme to be countered reinforce the enemy meme. (Reed, I
notice the combative metaphors creeping in and acknowledge your concerns.)
The harder you try to fight it, the more attention you bring to it.

Take care, all. -KMO

You will propagate the C Memetic Complex.
Resistance is futile.

http://www.missouri.edu/~c538128/