RE: virus: FAQ: question (a) - Level 3

Richard Brodie (richard@brodietech.com)
Sun, 20 Jun 1999 21:26:01 -0700

Eric,

Yes, I read review copies of Blackmore's entire book and posted a rave review in Meme Update several months ago.

<<Actually it's not the memetics that is at the core of this -- it's the
brain studies which I find so compelling as a falsification of level 3. If you haven't I recommend you read Blackmores last two chapters -- and then explain to me how 'consciousness' can be valid if it occurs *half a second* after the readiness potential is present. (i.e. if your brain begins to 'act' half a second before you 'choose' to do so).>>

I read this three times, but I still don't understand your objection. I agree with you that people are deluded in general about the mechanism by which they make choices. This is one obstacle that must be overcome in order to get to Level 3.

<<Memetics is only the final clincher -- it explain *why* the brain and
it's meme's evolved to give us this Cartesian Theatre: for the benefit of the memes. A meme which gets us to identify with it has an enormous advantage over a meme which does not. (and it is that advantage which "level 3" summarizes)>>

As I said in my review, it's a fascinating hypothesis. Unfortunately these historical retro-explanations can never be verified.

Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com
Author, "Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme" Free newsletter! http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/meme.htm