RE: [asa] Silent MNism was [Definition for MN in PSCF 2007]

'For the better even' - isn't that ascent? Descent is downwards, not progressive, usually, or at least when climbing mountains (ohh..I miss them!). Why not find your own language instead of piggybacking?
   
  'Memes' are ridiculous! See what's behind it and abracadabra, you'll discover how not-brilliant it is. Dawkins may be a great writer, popularizer of science, but 'memetics' is not one of his 'bright' ideas. Others have done it before him anyway.
   
  Do you acknowledge how weak he is as a theologian? Perhaps he is even weaker as a social-humanitarian thinker, which is the realm in which 'memes' are proposed. Drivel. He needed help with his 'selfish is good' ideology. Though I doubt you support that, you don't seem to realize the link. Please excuse the tough tone on this.
   
  Thanks for acknowledging that 'ideas' are not 'biological' things.
   
  What are your options (do you mean, why am I asking)? Well, I'm a believer in reflexive science and not just positive science. So I appreciate it when people show a bit about themself to discover who I'm dialoguing with. So, no, 'super-natural scientist' wasn't my question. I meant, what are you studied in, fields, disciplines, etc. Or is it just everything (or only one thing) and thus mysterious?
   
  Throwing out the notion that 'memes' are 'brilliant' (with a not-British voice) doesn't mean much, for example, from a computer programmer's point of view (with due respect to Iain).

  Regards,
  Gregory
   
  
"Dehler, Bernie" <bernie.dehler@intel.com> wrote:
        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} “Yes, ideas 'change.' But we've already distinguished here on the ASA list that 'evolve' and 'change' are not synonyms”
   
  Evolution: Descent with modification… for the better even. How does that not fit the history of math? Of course ideas aren’t biological. If they were, it would be controlled by genes. Since they aren’t, but are mental, they are memes.
   
  I think the idea of a meme is brilliant, even if it did come from a militant atheist.
   
  You asked if I’m a “natural scientist.” I don’t know… what are my other options? “Super-natural scientist?” Let me know the options, and I’ll choose one.
   
  …Bernie
   
      
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  From: Gregory Arago [mailto:gregoryarago@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:50 PM
To: Dehler, Bernie; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: [asa] Silent MNism was [Definition for MN in PSCF 2007]

   
    So you've swallowed Richard Dawkins' idea of 'memes' whole, have you? Or is it Susan Blackmore you've taken 'memes' from? If you're a natural scientist (are you?), then reading Rev'd A. McGrath might help to set you straight about 'memes'.

    Yes, ideas 'change.' But we've already distinguished here on the ASA list that 'evolve' and 'change' are not synonyms. Surely you're not arguing that 'ideas' are 'biological' things?

    Mathematics might be the last discipline by priority to help you here.

    G.A.

       
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Received on Thu Nov 29 20:41:47 2007