fair point. it just seemed that in the context of the discussion about humanity's rise, the important replicators are not the ones without evolution.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-extropians@extropy.com
[mailto:owner-extropians@extropy.com]On Behalf Of Robert J. Bradbury
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 8:30 PM
To: extropians@extropy.com
Subject: RE: MEMES: and things.
On Wed, 3 Nov 1999, John Holmes wrote:
> it seems important to point out that replicators separate from a context
of
> variation and selection are unimportant and uninteresting. memes and genes
> both fit these requirements, while most computer viruses do not.
>
Well, I'd point out it *is* replicators in a context *without* variation and selection that allow you to rapidly disassemble planets and do other feats of astroengineering. Adding the variation and selection is what gives you the distinct possibility of them creating a home for themselves rather than for you.
Don't dis the replicators, they can do a lot for you. :-)
Robert