On Sep 10, 2004, at 10:39 AM, Travis Edmunds wrote:
Me
For we all are individuals and cannot be lumped together in this particular context because of that.
Actually we can (I think), since I-consciousness is a trait, or at least that's how I see it. And in order for that "I" to be there, I've got to have something to contrast it with -- otherwise "I" has no meaning.
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to listen in, it still makes a sound. Similarly, if I were the sole remaining human being on this planet (for whatever reason), I would still be me. And being a sentient life form - the kind that Data just loves scanning for - I would be aware my own existence and surrounding environment in ways that only a sentient being can.
Right; I think we're in agreement here that differentiation is in effect. This isn't exactly the example I had in mind but it seems to be roughly in the same ZIP code at least.
Basically all I'm suggesting is that while the gene drives evolution in animals lacking self-awareness, as soon as the "I" surfaces, as soon as visible signs of intelligence can be seen (and selected for by potential breeding mates), we're moving into Dawkinsian meme-space. Genes are no longer the sole driving factors in human evolution, in selection, or in determining what traits pass along. (After all we see traits other than the physical, such as tastes in music, etc.)
Yes, yes. I understand all of that. And all I'm suggesting is that the 'I' is limited to the 'I' in a very strict sense. Meaning that a generalization such as yours - while being accurate to some degree - cannot be 100% assured, as we have no idea what breeding choices individual people might make.
Sure, I'll agree with that, yeah. So perhaps I was either overgeneralizing or being overly optimistic. Knowing me I'd lean toward the former. ;)
Which you kinda stated by saying that potential breeding mates are selected for reasons other than tight-fitting jeans.
Interlocking genes, possibly?
-- WthmO
If obesity is genetic, why are so many American dogs fat too?
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