On Nov 29, 2007 5:21 AM, <<a href="mailto:x@extropica.org">x@extropica.org</a>> wrote:<br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
"The consensus that formed in the 1960s turned group selection into a<br>pariah concept, taught primarily as an example of how not to think.<br>Interpreting behaviours as "for the good of the group" was said to be
<br>just plain wrong. Inclusive fitness theory (also called kin<br>selection), evolutionary game theory and selfish gene theory were all<br>developed to explain the evolution of apparently were all developed to<br>explain the evolution of apparently altruistic behaviours in
<br>individualistic terms, without invoking group selection."<br><br><<a href="http://evolution.binghamton.edu/dswilson/resources/publications_resources/New%20Scientist.pdf" target="_blank">http://evolution.binghamton.edu/dswilson/resources/publications_resources/New%20Scientist.pdf
</a>><br></blockquote></div><br>The matter of group selection on the genetic level is very controversial. On the cognitive level of memes however it is very different.<br><div class="entry">
<p>On page 85 of Jame5 point out for example that:</p>
<blockquote><p>"Culture is the byproduct of an animal's acceptance of a
shared moral-ethical meme complex to enable social collaboration in
large groups."</p></blockquote>
<p>Later in the book I broaden the concept of a 'moral-ethical meme
complex' to include all kinds of beliefs and assert that said shared
beliefs are fitness indicators relevant for inter group competition. As
a consequence groups with fitter belief systems prosper while groups
with unfit belief systems either adapt or perish. For a quick
introduction to my thoughts on this issue I suggest reading my paper on
<a href="http://www.jame5.com/?p=8" title="On benevolence and friendly AI theory">friendly AI theory</a> or Jame5 pages 69 and following.</p>
<p>With the advent of human thought the focus of evolution shifted away
from a genetic level and moved to an evolution of ideas and concepts
about the world that gave rise to new ideas etc. The genes, dominant
fitness determining information-carrying vehicles up to that point
became secondary.</p>
<p>The decisive difference between the Homo Sapiens and other primates
was the particularly useful ability to transfer these memes to other
members of the group, including their young, by effective communication
in the form of speech.</p>
<p>From that time forward, evolution on the genetic level slowly began
to retreat and eventually became secondary as fitness indicators in
humans as memes started to have an ever larger impact in determining an
individual's fitness in the group as well as on an inter group level.
The evolution of memes went on though the Stone Age and various metal
ages on a material level until it shifted toward harnessing more energy
with the first steam engine in the late eighteenth century. What
followed was the Industrial Revolution. Then came the first computers
that eventually triggered the Information Age.</p>
<p>In summary: Human groups act as super organisms on the basis of
shared beliefs with evolution continuing on the level of beliefs
(memes).</p>
<p>Example: Captitalism vs Communism<br>
The cold war was a period of conflict between two groups with largely different
belief systems. In the blue corner mostly capitalist democracies and in
the red corner mostly communist dictatorships. Capitalism eventually
'won' as its belief system happened to allocate resources with
alternative uses more efficiently and effectively. By now the former
eastern block largely abandoned the less fit ideology and is moving on.</p>
<p>Example: Market Economy<br>
In market economies companies can be seen as groups competing for the
scarce resource money. A company's culture, policies, processes,
intellectual property are its beliefs and its staff form that companies
embodiment as a group. Companies compete in the market place, act,
adapt, learn and form alliances. Those with fitter belief systems
survive and flourish while those that are less fit go bankrupt and
'die'.</p>
<p>And so evolution continues.</p>
</div>More also at <a href="http://www.psych.ubc.ca/~henrich/home.html">http://www.psych.ubc.ca/~henrich/home.html</a><br><br>Kind regards,<br><br>Stefan<br>-- <br>Stefan Pernar<br>3-E-101 Silver Maple Garden<br>
#6 Cai Hong Road, Da Shan Zi<br>Chao Yang District<br>100015 Beijing<br>P.R. CHINA<br>Mobil: +86 1391 009 1931<br>Skype: Stefan.Pernar