My Memetic Theory

Ever considered that an idea was a living organism? They replicate from mind to mind. They fight over resources (us) and form all kinds of weapons in order to survive. They are symbiotic, parasitic, territorial and predatory. In the book Genesis by Bernard Beckett, he postulates that the meme is the most advanced form of life - the most advanced form of a replicating being.

But perhaps, we won't go into that today.

I'm here to suggest that ideas can be at least analogous (that means taking close similarity) to life forms. Also, I think that ideas cluster together naturally. Certain ideas like to coexist with other ideas alongside. Some are dependent upon the other idea being there. Every person then, is an ideology (a cluster of ideas). Amongst every ideology, I have always wondered what the main ideas are - meaning, I theorise that without a particular idea(s), the ideology would not hold and be forced to change.

These core ideas (maybe more people call them prime directives?) determine what that person does in life. I also believe, that these core ideas are very wide spread. Entire nations and cultures will share similar prime directives. Our world might run on fewer than ten prime directives? This is just a shot in the dark. Unfortunately, I do not think there is a lot of research into this area.

But assuming that an idea can then turn to be the guiding principle of all humanity, what sort of world does that build?

This is where I continue from my last post (Marxism), the core principle(s) build the world around us. Looking at our current economical system there are a few motivating forces we have built this upon: our insistence upon individualism (although evolutionarily and historically we probably arose from a very small knit social states), the need and worship of money and our assumption that no other human being is to be trusted (especially with out money!)

Core principles might also have another funny criteria - I'm not sure they can coexist or morph into one another.

This came from our discussion of the world as it is today - driven by currency. One idea, is that we need to take things incrementally. That change was a slow process, through much trial and error. I think this is a very sound and practical way of seeing things. There is another method of change though, radical change: revolution.

My assumption is this, if the core principles do not change, then any gradual change that does occur is still within the boundaries of the core principle. The change might not be sufficient to achieve our ends in mind. That means, another core principle has to invade in order for the actual change to occur. What happens then is memetic warfare, that can often translate into physical warfare.

There is a theory that every nation moving from one state of development to another, often goes through a revolution of sorts. Often bloody and always painful. What I think this is, is two core principles suddenly fighting over the resources.

When trying to change a system right, everything gets overturned. Why? Simply because, no two ideologies build the same system. You can't try mimic one ideology's system while maintaining a different core principle. Everything builds out from the core.

After reading a book (this one by atheists concerning the origins of sexuality and human nature) and discussing with Christians (regarding how the Chistian faith would build the world), I realised that neither would fit in with today's world. Both though offered lifestyles and benefits to the human race that we are working very hard towards! (an end to lonliness, more sex!, (by the atheists), greater spiritual awareness, less anxiety and a greater purpose (by the Christians) and increased health and joy (by both!)

Yet as long as we work within the frame of our current ideology, neither world is going to be realised.

What is this blog about? As information transfer increases, the memes replicate faster. Our world will eventually become a global culture. Maybe 50 years from now. Maybe 1000 years from now. I do not know. But I believe a single dominating set of core principles will take over the earth (or at least in majority) as all the memetic ecosystems start to merge. The internecine war that we have witnessed again and again within communites, countries and nations of memetic dominance is going to happen in cyberspace and it will be a much larger memetic clash than any before. Our future (or more rightly our future culture) is going to be the result of this clash.

What sort of world will we build then? I would like this blog to help contribute to the memetic fight. I don't believe that our world has it right. So let us change our core principles. Easier said than done of course. Maybe the incremental way will prove the right way? But even incrementally, we needs must start changing some principles. If we can sort out what will help us and what won't perhaps we will refine our future culture.

A stronger world, a better world starts today. I urge all of you out there to think. Think hard about what makes you you. What are your core principles? Could you lead a greater life? Could you help even in the smallest to make this world a better place?

Speaking with some dentists positively

Yesterday, I went to a little forum of dentists. Admittedly I often avoid dental gatherings. I feel uncomfortable with them (despite being one) because I don't feel that that's where I belong. My eyes begin to glaze over when they talk about further studies and specialising and treatment plans for too long a period of time.

However, for the first time I actually had a lot of fun talking to these guys! Why? Because they were unique dentists, in that they weren't doing it for the money. Don't get me wrong, these guys each are payed pretty well, but not that fabled amounts of money possibly achieved.

I'm glad to have found dentists who could say, "I don't mind spending a lot of time with a patient to get them through something - even though that means less dollar for my hour." It's so refreshing after hearing so many dentists only go on and on about time vs amount gained issues.

Marxism (Capitalism, Communism and Socialism too!)

Through a conversation with my friend regarding the current politics in Australia (they've hung the parliament for the first time since World War 2) we fell into discussing the type of governing system we would prefer to live under. For those who are a little fuzzy over the terms, here's a review in a nutshell:

Capitalism: Everyone makes as much money as possible. The government tries to involve itself minimally. The poor have to ekk it out on their own.

Communism: The government owns everything. All businesses are controlled by the government. You are given as much as they think you deserve. (I am unsure if there any pure communist countries left)

Socialism: The more money you make, the greater your taxes. The less money you make the greater the government hand out.

Well, this is more a question for the economists than us philosophers perhaps, but what sort of system is the best? I believe there are entire schools of debate upon this matter.

However, despite the Cold War (the ideological war of Communism and Capitalism, fought largely by America and Russia on foreign soil) and America's insistence upon Capitalism being the perfect system, I believe today we can openly see how it has failed in several major aspects. One only has to do a small amount of research into its health system (try looking at the amount an average person pays over their life span in comparison to any other country in the world) and certain numbers are shocking.

What of communism? Did that work? I think it fair to say that true Communism, the type that Marx (the purported founder of communism) suggested never came to be. Perhaps, within our current economic system, cannot come to be? But Marx wasn't describing so much a system as a flow of events. He observed how riches and power became more and more decentralised as a nation became more modern. From the king to the priests, from the priests to the lords, the lords to the politicians - and he was hoping from the politicians to the people. That last step by and large has not come about (or maybe power has shifted instead to large corporations and businesses?)

Socialism goes a little bit along the way of Marxism. Not in terms of power or wealth but socialist countries try, at least, to ensure everyone has the basics. Agreed, there are myriad ways to abuse the system and so far, I don't believe it has completely irradicated crime and poverty. But here, we begin to see, what humans do when perhaps not so pressured by the need to survive (i.e. generate money). We also see interesting subcultures that only present in socialist countries. My personal favourite is the beach bum culture in Australia, who live to surf, sun, sex and have little of anything else. How would we all live if we were guaranteed all the basics of life?

Continuing this discussion with another group of friends, this time a more religious group, economic systems proved a rather trying and taxing riddle. Economists themselves are often arguing many points amongst themselves and I've heard it more than once that no one actually has a completely functioning economic theory. Maybe it is a little like physics, the extreme conditions do not conform to the general laws? So a group of people approaching it from a religious view have a difficult conundrum indeed.

Firstly, religion (save maybe in the askance of donations and funds) have not truly given any guideline to the economy. So, being unequiped to tackle the problem we are left to follow moral principles that our religion has set out and hope this to be the best.

I think this is true irregardless of which religion and still true for everyone around us who simply don't understand economy or politics (irregardless of the presence of religion!) We are often being asked to vote upon or nominate something whose complexity is deep enough to rival that of particle physics! What happens in most cases, unable to make an informed vote for the benefit of all (since no outcome is certain), we are left to vote for which party will give us the most money. (If money is considered a religion too, then this still follows above stated principle neatly: we follow the mandates of our religion - case in point: make more money!)

Further reflection with the group we came upon the interesting subject matter, that Jesus (and might I add even Buddha and Muhammad? And perhaps people could suggest other learned characters giving people meaning to life) never gave anyone an economic system to follow... But the economy is a large demanding kind of beast and affects more than just us humans on the planet. Can we actually ignore it?

I think I'll stop the post on that note. But I intend to continue that last line of thought on with a matter close to my heart, soon.

This is an extraordinarily large topic and I would love for anyone who has something to say to respond. Maybe some wise economists could enlighten us all with some insights?

The Fisherman and the Businessman

I like this story:

Once upon a time, not too long ago, a rich business man decided he had had enough of a particular stressful situation and took a trip to South America to enjoy the beaches. On the first day of his trip he got a call at four in the morning regarding some overseas business that was going badly. Stressed and unable to get back to sleep he decided to take a walk along the beach at dawn.

As he walked a long the beach, he happened to chance a fisherman coming back with his catch in the early hours. He walked up to the boat and saw many beautiful, large fish. He praised the fisherman for his skill and asked him how long he had been doing this. The fisherman said that he had been fishing for a long time, ever since he was a child and could follow his father out to sea.

The businessman asked what the fisherman did in his normal day. In the early mornings, the fisherman would go out to sea to fish. He would then come back and sell his catch to the lorry men to bring to the market that morning. He would then spend the afternoon napping, fixing his nets and equipment and play with his children. In the evenings, he liked to go to a small get together, sip wine and play the guitar.

The businessman asked whether with his profits the fisherman had ever wondered if he wanted to expand his business? The fisherman said, "No, what would I do to expand my business?

The businessman the drew himself up and said, "Why, you could be a very rich man. First you'd hire a few more of your friends to fish for you. Then you'd buy larger boats and fish even more fish."

The fisherman said that would be nice, but then what?

"Then," the businessman continued, "you'd start up a company and export your goods, you'd own the transport and packaging business to send your fish to markets and supermarkets all over and invest in properties and stocks."

The fisherman said and then what would I do?

"Then?" the businessman exclaimed, "Well then you'd sell the shares of the company and eventually sell the whole thing off. It'll be millions of dollars."

And then?

"And then you could nap in the afternoon, mend your nets and equipment, play with your children, sip wine and play the guitar with your friends."

An interesting juxtaposition

Often, we know that there are wrong things going on in our world. From our small office politics to mass hunger and genocide in some other god forsaken land. Most of the time, we don't know what to do about it. Most of us are not cruel people, but the effort to make a difference is a large and taxing one (whether it is to let go of office politics or help solve world hunger). So, we have no choice then but to accept it.

And we return to the system that we live in. This is where I think we can make a difference. Firstly we need to recognise that we do live in a broken and hurtful system. What is this system? It is simply our economic system. And our economic system doesn't work just upon money - it works upon the potential that money promises - it works upon power and the need for it. We are all working to increase our power within society - for whatever our purposes are.

Our power/economical system then, by its definition draws up a kind of ladder of life. It polarises wealth and power exponentially into its top percentage. We work most of our lives trying to climb the ladder. The system also is hurtful because it ignores many other aspects of our lives - emotional/spiritual/relationships/moral etc.

Consider the system you live in and contribute to. What are its foci and what does it ask you to aspire to? Does it ignore or reduce the importance of any aspects of your life?



Here is an amusing excersice to try. I did this with a group of young adults as we started our discussion group (I was a participant not a coordinator). We were directed to first list a few things that were wrong with the world today.

There were many things listed as what was wrong with the world. Selfishness, greed, anxiety for material stability, sickness, the rich and poor divide etc.

Then we put up on board just below it what the idea of a great person was. A great person (someone we might be jealous of or aspire to be) was often - male, rich, influential, good looking, charismatic, powerful, intelligent, rational, etc. This great person though, is often a great person of the system.

We realized then, a great person did not actually alleviate or concern themselves with what was wrong with the world. Of course, there were and are great individuals who have done otherwise - Mother Theresa for example. But our general idea of the great person was not helping the planet. In many cases they support and contribute to the current system.

Many people strive for what the 'great' people have. Once again that is power. That is what the system promises.

Power to be free of life's constant worries. Power to divulge into any craving you might have. Power to choose as you wish without concerning yourself with others - or at least choose how much you want to concern yourself with it.

It then behooves us to contemplate the nature of power. So my question today is this:

What is the nature of power? Is it something we should be striving for? How much power do we need? How much money do you need? Does it help the world at all? Does it perpetuate the system, and thus increase what is wrong with the world? Does having a lot of power in your life make it a better life? Does it build trust, love, friendships, life? Does not by definition power mean some of us are weaker?

As I start...

I am sitting at my computer with a little bit of a cough.Because I didn't want to infect all my patients with whatever germ it is I've picked up, I didn't go to work today.

Since I'm stuck here at home, I thought I would make a start on this project. Let me start by saying this. I have very few answers but many many questions. But these questions I would like more and more and more people to start asking too. I do not care who you are or where you are. You should be asking these questions. Whether you have to pay the bills, feed the baby, go shopping, train in the army, build your business empire, go shopping with your friends, get drunk or whatever it is you are about to do - I want you to stop and listen. Even if for just a moment to ask yourself these questions. Let me begin.


Over the last few weeks I have been having discussions with many people from many walks of life. I would like to start with a simple question.

Is there something wrong with the world today?

Looking at it from a global point of view, the answer is a resounding YES. We have wars, poverty, hunger, destruction of the environment, child labor and prostitution, obesity, depression, astounding rates of divorce, violence in homes - the list is endless. Most of these problems are ones we have created ourselves. Some of these problems, could be completely solved tomorrow. Yes, you heard me. Tomorrow.

Isn't that curious. We have the ability to stop a problem - but we don't. What is wrong with us?

If I twisted the question slightly; is there something wrong with you(us) today? Some of us would say yes and others no. Some of us are perfectly happy individuals, who by and large do not break any laws, do not go out of our way to make people suffer, love and care for our family and friends and lead healthy productive lives. How is it, if that individually we are doing okay, that the earth is then in this condition?

Could it be we are all equally responsible for the way the world is? Is it possible that leading our law abiding lives is simply not good enough? Just maybe, are the lives we are living wrong?

Nothing is disconnected from the other. Today, decisions made in any place has ripple effects through the whole planet. The structures that support our lifestyle. The work we have to do that support these structures, perpetuate the condition of our planet. And we are all part of that economy. All of our actions and all of our lifestyles sum up to the world and what it is today. Every. Single. One.


I would like to put forward these two questions to you.

Is there something wrong with the world?
Is there something wrong with us, individually?


Please feel free to comment. Argue. Put something controversial. Put something meaningful. Put something trivial. As long as you have stopped to consider the question that is what is important. Also, go out there and discuss! Blog about this on your own blog. Tweet about it. Put it on your Facebook walls. Discuss it with your friends, your family, your colleagues, your teachers.

We as a humanity have reached a point where it is high time we stopped and listened. All of us.