Re: virus: testing memetics (fwd from JOM-EMIT)

Casper K. Clausen (ckc@dmi.min.dk)
Thu, 11 Dec 1997 12:45:10 +0100 (MET)


On Wed, 10 Dec 1997, Tim Rhodes wrote:

> The fact that the octopus is probably
> not going to teach other octopuses their jar tricks is a function of
> their social skills, not the memetic system.

I wouldn't be so sure of this. Food-gathering memes are extremely
virulent, and I believe that all it would take for another octopus to
learn this behavior is simply observing the first octopus as it opens the
jar (and an unopened jar on which to practice). A well-fed octopus is an
efficient host for a food-gathering meme of any kind.

Kvan.

-------Casper Kvan Clausen------ | 'Ah, Warmark, everything that passes
----------<ckc@dmi.dk>---------- | unattempted is impossible.'
Lokal 544 |
I do not speak for DMI, just me. | - Lord Mhoram, Son of Variol.