Re: [xmca] Unbelievable

From: Tony Whitson (twhitson@UDel.Edu)
Date: Thu Oct 19 2006 - 07:03:26 PDT


Martin,
  I think the idea of culture affecting biological evolution was
commonplace among primatologists at least as early as the 1960s, so I
don't think Curry merits too much credit for that.

On Thu, 19 Oct 2006, Martin Packer wrote:

> David,
>
> That is indeed one way of thinking about Vygotsky's view of the influence of
> culture on biology. But I was referring to phylogenesis, not ontogenesis.
> This prediction for the year 3000 is undeniably rather wacky, but it does
> have the merit of recognizing the impact of culture on human biological
> evolution.
>
> Martin
>
>
> On 10/18/06 9:28 PM, "David Preiss" <davidpreiss@uc.cl> wrote:
>
>> I am not so sure, Martin, this is a fair comparison. For Vygotskty
>> the way culture shapes biology is by means of the internalization of
>> tools and symbols. For this guy, what culture does is triggering
>> changes in our sexual preferences and weakening our immune system.
>> Very different, I guess.
>>
>> On Oct 18, 2006, at 10:00 PM, Martin Packer wrote:
>>
>>> But this is precisely an example of a theory in which socio-historical
>>> evolution is seen as shaping biological evolution, no? As David
>>> (Kellogg)
>>> said a couple of days ago:
>>>
>>>> I think that Vygotsky's position on the connection between
>>>> learning and
>>>> development, and also the connection between ontogenesis and socio-
>>>> historical
>>>> development, and even the connection between socio-historical
>>>> development and
>>>> biological evolution is that all of these things are indeed
>>>> linked, but
>>>> nevertheless distinct. Linked but distinct.
>>>
>>> Martin
>>>
>>> On 10/18/06 6:02 PM, "David Preiss" <davidpreiss@uc.cl> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I wonder if the guy REALLY thinks this or is just seeking publicity.
>>>> I am astonished how many evolutionary theories make it to the press
>>>> these days. What is making these theories so fashionable is beyond my
>>>> understanding. Is like a postmodern, late capitalism state of mind
>>>> Any guesses?
>>>> David
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 18, 2006, at 9:55 AM, bb wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> "Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as
>>>>> predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said.
>>>>>
>>>>> Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of
>>>>> Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass
>>>>> to emerge. "
>>>>>
>>>>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6057734.stm
>>>>>
>>>>> ---------------
>>>>>
>>>>> In the year 2525
>>>>> If man is still alive....
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> From: "Mike Cole" <lchcmike@gmail.com>
>>>>> Date: October 14, 2006 9:55:13 PM GMT-04:00
>>>>> To: "eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity" <xmca@weber.ucsd.edu>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [xmca] interweaving
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> xmca mailing list
>>>>> xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
>>>>> http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca
>>>>
>>>> David Preiss, Ph.D.
>>>> Profesor Auxiliar / Assistant Professor
>>>>
>>>> Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
>>>> Escuela de Psicología
>>>> Av Vicuña Mackenna 4860
>>>> Macul, Santiago
>>>> Chile
>>>>
>>>> Fono: 3544605
>>>> Fax: 3544844
>>>> e-mail: davidpreiss@uc.cl
>>>> web personal: http://web.mac.com/ddpreiss/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
>>>> web institucional: http://www.uc.cl/psicologia
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> xmca mailing list
>>> xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
>>> http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca
>>>
>>
>> David Preiss, Ph.D.
>> Profesor Auxiliar / Assistant Professor
>>
>> Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
>> Escuela de Psicología
>> Av Vicuña Mackenna 4860
>> Macul, Santiago
>> Chile
>>
>> Fono: 3544605
>> Fax: 3544844
>> e-mail: davidpreiss@uc.cl
>> web personal: http://web.mac.com/ddpreiss/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
>> web institucional: http://www.uc.cl/psicologia
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>

Tony Whitson
UD School of Education
NEWARK DE 19716

twhitson@udel.edu
_______________________________

"those who fail to reread
  are obliged to read the same story everywhere"
                   -- Roland Barthes, S/Z (1970)

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