That’s correct. Chain letters—and the rest of human culture—is literally alive.
Here is Dawkins (1976) on the topic:
As my colleague N.K. Humphrey neatly summed up an earlier draft of this chapter: “memes should be regarded as living structures, not just metaphorically but technically”.
Mules are alive. Mule cells reproduce and persist via a copying process. Being sterile does not mean you are not alive, just that you are near the end of the line. Chain letters are alive too - it is unfortunate that few people realise that.
IMO, a new word is not needed: we don’t need multiple terms for practically the same basic thing.
Like chain letters?
That’s correct. Chain letters—and the rest of human culture—is literally alive.
Here is Dawkins (1976) on the topic:
Seems a bit perverse to use a definition that says a chain letter is alive, but a mule isn’t. Why not just make up a new term?
Mules are alive. Mule cells reproduce and persist via a copying process. Being sterile does not mean you are not alive, just that you are near the end of the line. Chain letters are alive too - it is unfortunate that few people realise that.
IMO, a new word is not needed: we don’t need multiple terms for practically the same basic thing.