How many memes do you host?

[porphyrian]

For clarity, a meme is a unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Meme exhibit some behaviors of life forms (though no one is suggesting that they are alive) - they replicate, evolve over time, develop defense mechanisms and means by which to "survive" when confronted with competing memes.

Here is a list of example memes:
* 4 out of 5 doctors choose Crest.
* Jesus is the son of God.
* Eggs are bad for you.
* Eggs are good for you.
* All we can ever have knowledge about is the world of phenomenal human experience, but there is no reason to suspect that reality mirrors our perceptions and thoughts.

So, how many memes do you personally host?

[swag]

1. Nice poll.

I take it you have read Susan Blackmore?

Love that book.

[porphyrian]

3. Actually, I haven't yet, but thanks for reminding me. - n/t

[swag]

6. You're welcome.

Anything in service of the replication of a constructive meme complex.

[porphyrian]

18. By the way, for anyone wondering who we're talking about...

This is Susan Blackmore's website, specifically the part about memetics: http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/memetics/index.htm

I like her more and more.

[slackmaster]

2. All of them

Didn't you get that memo?

[porphyrian]

4. I send back the ones that aren't stamped by Information Dispersal.

Sometimes, I throw them away.

[Posteritatis]

5. Heh, anyone who picks the first option is dead

I expect the freakouts over this poll could be interesting, given reactions I've seen to the concept in some other forums. ;)

(I need to read more Dawkins. I mean, everyone does, but I do too.)

[porphyrian]

7. I think the inability to record memory would work, too.

However, I doubt they'd ever be able to answer the poll in that case. Yes, more Dawkins.

[wyldwolf]

8. top prize for quirkiest meme goes to .... (drumroll.................)

MY MOM!

She'd heard years ago a cock roach can live off of one grease spot for a week or so. As the years went on, that "week or so" became months... then years....

[porphyrian]

9. Well, technically that could be true...

...there's no reference to how big the grease spot is. Heh.

[wyldwolf]

10. LOL! true...

[Ignoramus]

11. I thought the interesting thing about memes

was that it suggests that our communication with each other is necessarily not simple rational arguments. Our communication is sort of like fashion. Part of that is that thought isn't just the thing speaking in your head, it's a broader thing including emotions. And reasoning about things tends to lead to paradox, so we are essentially all just dancing with each other and participating in meme fashion with each other. That's not a flaw that can be corrected, it is the nature of language.

[porphyrian]

12. Fascinating, isn't it?

We may be more like insects than we realize - how much do we communicate pheromonally, even if we don't consciously evaluate the chemicals as smell?

[porphyrian]

13. Kick for the two people who aren't ignoring me that haven't voted. - n/t

[Swamp Rat]

14. Just "mimes."

And I've heard no complaints so far. :D

[porphyrian]

15. Heh, if you were blind you'd be deaf to them. - n/t

[porphyrian]

16. Kick for the after-dinner crowd. - n/t

[porphyrian]

17. Anyone else, or have I alienated myself from everyone finally? - n/t

[Lilith Velkor]

19. I'm a lean, mean, screamin' meme machine

You may be a F. A. but at least your polls are interesting. Cheers.

[porphyrian]

20. Heh, heh, I like to earn my labels... - n/t