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Ch. 1 - Breaking Which Spell
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BookTalk.org Forum Index -> Archived Book Discussions 2006-2007 -> Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon - by Daniel Dennett

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MadArchitect

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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Positive first impression

Mr P: Whether or not I buy the whole theory, it is a good means of bookkeeping to think of these memes as self perpetuating as in the method of genes. I think both the idea of memes and Dawkins presentation of the transmission of genes are useful as a form of bookkeeping. But I also think that acclimating yourself too much to that point of view -- which is both statistical and retrospective -- tends to distort the transmission of information (both genetic and cultural) in the phenomenon as it happens. By way of explanation, let me give an analogy. Keeping a log of sports statistics can be useful for certain tasks, that is, as a form of book keeping. But those looking at those statistics from a retrospective point of view isn't necessarily helpful in improving your game because they don't necessarily take into account what you're doing at any given time.

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