Re: What do geneticists think of memes?


"Perplexed in Peoria" <jimmenegay@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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> "Lupus" <ihowllikeawolf@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:docukl$1c30$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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>> What are the major disanalogies between the two concepts which make it
>> untenable to give a rigourous scientific treatment of memes?
>
> 1. Genes are inherited almost exclusively vertically (parent to
> offspring). Memes are transmitted from a variety of sources and
> are acquired at a variety of times within the lifecycle.

Generally true, but there is a lateral transfer via recombination, albeint a
more "angular" route. There is also some "pull" similar to meme adoption in
some traits such as a pea***'s tail. The mating partner is attracted to
the trait (perhaps for no good reason) but nonetheless, it becomes
concetrated in the population similar to a memetic idea or phrase.

>
> 2. Genes are transmitted by a mechanism which takes no account of
> what a gene DOES. Useful and useless genes are equally likely to
> be inherited from a parent. That produces a BIG simplification of
> the math. Memetic transfer depends in a complicated way upon what
> the meme does.
>
> 3. Genes are usually selected indirectly - but their impact on the
> fitness of the 'vehicle' carrying the gene. The beneficial or detrimental
> effect of a meme on its bearer may have little to do with whether a
> meme propagates. Memetic selection probably has to be modeled at
> the meme level, not the vehicle level.

As I said in my previous example, some genes are selected by other than
natural forces.
The exception does not of course disprove your statement of the general
rule.

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