TED2008
Susan Blackmore: Memes and "temes"
苏珊 布莱克莫尔谈迷因和技因
Filmed:
Readability: 3.8
882,044 views
苏珊布莱克莫尔研究迷因：思想就像病毒一样自主地由一个脑袋复制到另一个脑袋。她提出了一個大胆的新观点：人类已经产生了一种新的迷因，那就是技因，它由科技传播 － 并发明出各种形式使自己生存。
Susan Blackmore - Memeticist
Susan Blackmore studies memes -- those self-replicating "life forms" that spread themselves via human consciousness. We're now headed, she believes, toward a new form of meme, spread by the technology we've created. Full bio
Susan Blackmore studies memes -- those self-replicating "life forms" that spread themselves via human consciousness. We're now headed, she believes, toward a new form of meme, spread by the technology we've created. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:18
Cultural evolution is a dangerous child
0
0
3000
文化的进化是个危险的孩子
00:21
for any species to let loose on its planet.
1
3000
3000
对于任何放任它的物种来说。
00:24
By the time you realize what's happening, the child is a toddler,
2
6000
4000
等到你意识到正在发生的情况时，孩子已经会走路了，
00:28
up and causing havoc, and it's too late to put it back.
3
10000
6000
到处闯祸，想把他拉回来为时已晚。
00:34
We humans are Earth's Pandoran species.
4
16000
3000
我们人类是地球的潘多拉德物种。
00:37
We're the ones who let the second replicator out of its box,
5
19000
5000
我们是把第二个复制因子放出盒子的人，
00:42
and we can't push it back in.
6
24000
2000
而我们却不能再将它放回去。
00:44
We're seeing the consequences all around us.
7
26000
3000
我们见证了身边的后果。
00:48
Now that, I suggest, is the view that
8
30000
4000
现在，我提议
00:52
comes out of taking memetics seriously.
9
34000
2000
是好好谈谈迷因论的时候了。
00:54
And it gives us a new way of thinking about
10
36000
2000
它给我们提供了一个新的思考方式
00:56
not only what's going on on our planet,
11
38000
2000
不仅仅是关于我们的星球上发生些什么，
00:58
but what might be going on elsewhere in the cosmos.
12
40000
3000
还关于宇宙中其他地方发生的事情。
01:01
So first of all, I'd like to say something about memetics
13
43000
3000
所以首先，我想介绍一下迷因
01:04
and the theory of memes,
14
46000
2000
和迷因理论，
01:06
and secondly, how this might answer questions about who's out there,
15
48000
5000
其次，这个可能解答关于外太空的问题，
01:11
if indeed anyone is.
16
53000
3000
是否有生命存在。
01:14
So, memetics:
17
56000
2000
所以，迷因。
01:16
memetics is founded on the principle of Universal Darwinism.
18
58000
4000
迷因是建立在通用达尔文理论上的。
01:20
Darwin had this amazing idea.
19
62000
3000
达尔文想到这个惊人的点子。
01:23
Indeed, some people say
20
65000
2000
确实，一些人说
01:25
it's the best idea anybody ever had.
21
67000
3000
这是有史以来最好的想法
01:28
Isn't that a wonderful thought, that there could be such a thing
22
70000
4000
难道这不是个绝妙的点子吗？有什么
01:32
as a best idea anybody ever had?
23
74000
2000
可能是最好的点子呢？
01:34
Do you think there could?
24
76000
1000
你认为有可能吗？
01:35
Audience: No.
25
77000
1000
观众：没有。
01:36
(Laughter)
26
78000
1000
（笑声）
01:37
Susan Blackmore: Someone says no, very loudly, from over there.
27
79000
2000
苏珊 布莱克莫尔：那边有人很大声地说不。
01:39
Well, I say yes, and if there is, I give the prize to Darwin.
28
81000
4000
但是，我说有可能，如果有，我要颁奖给达尔文。
01:43
Why?
29
85000
2000
为什么呢?
01:45
Because the idea was so simple,
30
87000
3000
因为这个想法很简单，
01:48
and yet it explains all design in the universe.
31
90000
6000
却解释了宇宙中所有的设计。
01:54
I would say not just biological design,
32
96000
2000
我会说不仅仅是生物上的设计，
01:56
but all of the design that we think of as human design.
33
98000
2000
还包括一切我们所想到的人为设计。
01:58
It's all just the same thing happening.
34
100000
2000
它们发生的原理都是一样的。
02:00
What did Darwin say?
35
102000
2000
达尔文说了什么呢？
02:02
I know you know the idea, natural selection,
36
104000
2000
我知道你们知道这个想法，自然选择，
02:04
but let me just paraphrase "The Origin of Species," 1859,
37
106000
5000
但是让我解释下“物种起源”，1859年出版的，
02:09
in a few sentences.
38
111000
2000
的几句话。
02:11
What Darwin said was something like this:
39
113000
3000
达尔文所说的是这样的--
02:14
if you have creatures that vary, and that can't be doubted --
40
116000
4000
如果你看到生物变异，那是无容置疑的--
02:18
I've been to the Galapagos, and I've measured the size of the beaks
41
120000
3000
我去过加拉帕戈斯岛，我测量过喙的尺寸
02:21
and the size of the turtle shells and so on, and so on.
42
123000
2000
海龟壳的尺寸以及等等等等。
02:23
And 100 pages later.
43
125000
2000
翻过100页后--
02:25
(Laughter)
44
127000
2000
（笑声）
02:27
And if there is a struggle for life,
45
129000
4000
如果为生存竞争，
02:31
such that nearly all of these creatures die --
46
133000
3000
好像几乎所有这些生物都死亡--
02:34
and this can't be doubted, I've read Malthus
47
136000
3000
那是不可能的，我读过马尔萨斯
02:37
and I've calculated how long it would take for elephants
48
139000
2000
我也计算过大象要花多长时间
02:39
to cover the whole world if they bred unrestricted, and so on and so on.
49
141000
3000
来遍布全球，如果它们无限制的繁殖，等等等等。
02:42
And another 100 pages later.
50
144000
4000
再翻过在100页。
02:46
And if the very few that survive pass onto their offspring
51
148000
5000
如果少数能活下来，遗传给子孙
02:51
whatever it was that helped them survive,
52
153000
3000
有助于它们存活的任何条件
02:54
then those offspring must be better adapted
53
156000
2000
那么这些子孙一定能比祖先
02:56
to the circumstances in which all this happened
54
158000
2000
更好的适应
02:58
than their parents were.
55
160000
3000
周围环境
03:01
You see the idea?
56
163000
2000
你明白这个想法了？
03:03
If, if, if, then.
57
165000
2000
如果，如果，如果，那么。
03:05
He had no concept of the idea of an algorithm,
58
167000
2000
他没有算法的概念。
03:07
but that's what he described in that book,
59
169000
3000
但是他在书中所描述的就是这样
03:10
and this is what we now know as the evolutionary algorithm.
60
172000
3000
这就是我们现在知道的进化算法。
03:13
The principle is you just need those three things --
61
175000
4000
原则是你只需要具备三样东西--
03:17
variation, selection and heredity.
62
179000
3000
变异，选择和遗传。
03:20
And as Dan Dennett puts it, if you have those,
63
182000
4000
正如丹 丹尼特所做的，如果你有了这三样
03:24
then you must get evolution.
64
186000
2000
你肯定能进化。
03:26
Or design out of chaos, without the aid of mind.
65
188000
5000
或者说没有想法也能设计出混乱。
03:31
There's one word I love on that slide.
66
193000
2000
这句话中有个词我很喜欢。
03:33
What do you think my favorite word is?
67
195000
2000
你觉得会是哪个词？
03:35
Audience: Chaos.
68
197000
1000
观众：混乱。
03:36
SB: Chaos? No. What? Mind? No.
69
198000
3000
苏珊：混乱？ 不是。什么？想法？也不是。©
03:39
Audience: Without.
70
201000
1000
观众：没有。
03:40
SB: No, not without.
71
202000
1000
苏珊：不是，不是没有。
03:41
(Laughter)
72
203000
1000
（笑声）
03:42
You try them all in order: Mmm...?
73
204000
2000
你们一个个的试：嗯...？
03:44
Audience: Must.
74
206000
1000
观众：必须。
03:45
SB: Must, at must. Must, must.
75
207000
4000
必须，一定。必须，必须。
03:49
This is what makes it so amazing.
76
211000
2000
这个词让一切那么奇妙。
03:51
You don't need a designer,
77
213000
3000
你不需要设计师，
03:54
or a plan, or foresight, or anything else.
78
216000
3000
或者计划，前瞻性，或者其他什么。
03:57
If there's something that is copied with variation
79
219000
3000
如果有变异的复制
04:00
and it's selected, then you must get design appearing out of nowhere.
80
222000
4000
并通过选择，那么一定会有设计出现
04:04
You can't stop it.
81
226000
2000
你不能够阻止它。
04:06
Must is my favorite word there.
82
228000
4000
”一定“是我最喜欢的词。
04:11
Now, what's this to do with memes?
83
233000
2000
现在，这个跟迷因有什么关系呢？
04:13
Well, the principle here applies to anything
84
235000
5000
好吧，这个原理可以应用于所有的事情
04:18
that is copied with variation and selection.
85
240000
1000
那就是变异和算则的复制。
04:19
We're so used to thinking in terms of biology,
86
241000
3000
我们习惯了思考生物，
04:22
we think about genes this way.
87
244000
2000
我们想到基因就是这个样子的。
04:24
Darwin didn't, of course; he didn't know about genes.
88
246000
3000
达尔文，当然，他不知道基因。
04:27
He talked mostly about animals and plants,
89
249000
2000
他基本上谈的是动物和植物，
04:29
but also about languages evolving and becoming extinct.
90
251000
3000
也有关于语言进化和灭绝。
04:32
But the principle of Universal Darwinism
91
254000
2000
但是通用达尔文的原理
04:34
is that any information that is varied and selected
92
256000
4000
说的是任何有变异和选择
04:38
will produce design.
93
260000
2000
都会产生新的设计。
04:40
And this is what Richard Dawkins was on about
94
262000
2000
这就是理查德道金斯
04:42
in his 1976 bestseller, "The Selfish Gene."
95
264000
3000
在1976年的畅销书“自私的基因"中所提到的。
04:45
The information that is copied, he called the replicator.
96
267000
4000
通过复制的信息，他称之为复制因子。
04:49
It selfishly copies.
97
271000
2000
它自私地复制。
04:51
Not meaning it kind of sits around inside cells going, "I want to get copied."
98
273000
4000
不是说它就在细胞内坐着说”我想被复制“
04:55
But that it will get copied if it can,
99
277000
2000
但是只要有条件，它就会被复制
04:57
regardless of the consequences.
100
279000
2000
无论结果如何。
05:00
It doesn't care about the consequences because it can't,
101
282000
3000
结果并不重要，因为它不能，
05:03
because it's just information being copied.
102
285000
2000
因为复制的只是信息。
05:06
And he wanted to get away
103
288000
1000
它想跳脱
05:07
from everybody thinking all the time about genes,
104
289000
3000
每个人都想到的基因
05:10
and so he said, "Is there another replicator out there on the planet?"
105
292000
3000
所以它说，”在这个星球上还有没有其他的复制因子呀？“
05:13
Ah, yes, there is.
106
295000
2000
哦，有的。
05:15
Look around you -- here will do, in this room.
107
297000
3000
看看你周围，就在这个房间里，就有。
05:18
All around us, still clumsily drifting about
108
300000
3000
我们周围，还是笨拙地漂浮着
05:21
in its primeval soup of culture, is another replicator.
109
303000
3000
原始的文化，也就是另一个复制因子。
05:24
Information that we copy from person to person, by imitation,
110
306000
5000
通过模仿，我们从一个人到另一个人复制来的信息，
05:29
by language, by talking, by telling stories,
111
311000
2000
通过语言，谈话，故事，
05:31
by wearing clothes, by doing things.
112
313000
3000
穿着，行动等等。
05:34
This is information copied with variation and selection.
113
316000
5000
这就是有变异和选择的信息复制
05:39
This is design process going on.
114
321000
3000
是进行中的设计过程
05:42
He wanted a name for the new replicator.
115
324000
3000
他想命名这个新复制因子。
05:45
So, he took the Greek word "mimeme," which means that which is imitated.
116
327000
4000
所以，他使用了希腊语mimeme，意思是模仿的东西。
05:49
Remember that, that's the core definition:
117
331000
2000
记住，那个是核心定义。
05:52
that which is imitated.
118
334000
1000
模仿的东西。
05:53
And abbreviated it to meme, just because it sounds good
119
335000
3000
然后将它简化为meme，因为听起来好听
05:56
and made a good meme, an effective spreading meme.
120
338000
3000
然后再做个好meme，一个能有效传播的meme。
05:59
So that's how the idea came about.
121
341000
3000
这就是这个想法的来源。
06:03
It's important to stick with that definition.
122
345000
3000
忠于定义很重要。
06:06
The whole science of memetics is much maligned,
123
348000
4000
迷因的整个理论受到很多置疑，
06:10
much misunderstood, much feared.
124
352000
3000
很多误解，很多担忧。
06:13
But a lot of these problems can be avoided
125
355000
3000
但是很多的问题都可以避免
06:16
by remembering the definition.
126
358000
2000
通过牢记这个定义。
06:18
A meme is not equivalent to an idea.
127
360000
2000
迷因不等同于一个想法。
06:20
It's not an idea. It's not equivalent to anything else, really.
128
362000
2000
它不是一个想法，也不等同于其他任何事情，真的。
06:22
Stick with the definition.
129
364000
2000
请忠于定义。
06:24
It's that which is imitated,
130
366000
2000
那就是模仿的东西。
06:26
or information which is copied from person to person.
131
368000
3000
或者说是一个人从另一个人那里复制来的信息。
06:30
So, let's see some memes.
132
372000
1000
让我们看看一些迷因。
06:31
Well, you sir, you've got those glasses hung around your neck
133
373000
3000
这位先生，你的眼镜挂在脖子上
06:34
in that particularly fetching way.
134
376000
2000
的方式很特别。
06:36
I wonder whether you invented that idea for yourself,
135
378000
2000
我想知道是你自己想出来的点子，
06:38
or copied it from someone else?
136
380000
2000
还是从其他人那里看到的？
06:40
If you copied it from someone else, it's a meme.
137
382000
3000
如果你是从其他人那里看到的，那就是个迷因。
06:43
And what about, oh, I can't see any interesting memes here.
138
385000
3000
还有，哦，我在这里没有发现什么有趣的迷因。
06:46
All right everyone, who's got some interesting memes for me?
139
388000
3000
好，各位，你们谁能想到一些有趣的迷因？
06:49
Oh, well, your earrings,
140
391000
2000
好，你的耳环，
06:51
I don't suppose you invented the idea of earrings.
141
393000
2000
我不认为你发明了耳环。
06:53
You probably went out and bought them.
142
395000
2000
你大概只是出门去买的。
06:55
There are plenty more in the shops.
143
397000
2000
店里还有很多耳环。
06:57
That's something that's passed on from person to person.
144
399000
2000
那就是从一个人传到另一个人的东西。
06:59
All the stories that we're telling -- well, of course,
145
401000
3000
我们讲的所有的店，当然，
07:02
TED is a great meme-fest, masses of memes.
146
404000
4000
TED是一个非常棒的迷因节，很多很多的迷因。
07:06
The way to think about memes, though,
147
408000
2000
去思考迷因的方法，
07:08
is to think, why do they spread?
148
410000
2000
就是去想，为什么它们会传播呢？
07:10
They're selfish information, they will get copied, if they can.
149
412000
4000
它们是自私的信息，如果它们可以，它们能被复制。
07:14
But some of them will be copied because they're good,
150
416000
3000
但是它们当中的一些被复制是因为他们很棒，
07:17
or true, or useful, or beautiful.
151
419000
2000
或者说它们是正确的，或者说有用的，或者说很漂亮。
07:19
Some of them will be copied even though they're not.
152
421000
2000
它们当中的一些也会被复制，尽管它们不（棒，正确，有用或漂亮）。
07:21
Some, it's quite hard to tell why.
153
423000
2000
还有一些，很难讲是为什么。
07:24
There's one particular curious meme which I rather enjoy.
154
426000
3000
有一种特别的好奇迷因我很喜欢。
07:27
And I'm glad to say, as I expected, I found it when I came here,
155
429000
3000
我很高兴得说，正如我预计的，当我来到这里时我就发现了，
07:30
and I'm sure all of you found it, too.
156
432000
2000
我相信你们所有人也发现了。
07:32
You go to your nice, posh, international hotel somewhere,
157
434000
3000
你去任何一家优雅的豪华国际酒店，
07:36
and you come in and you put down your clothes
158
438000
2000
你进去后，放下衣服
07:38
and you go to the bathroom, and what do you see?
159
440000
3000
到洗手间，你看到了什么？
07:41
Audience: Bathroom soap.
160
443000
1000
观众：浴室的肥皂
07:42
SB: Pardon?
161
444000
1000
苏珊：请再说一边？
07:43
Audience: Soap.
162
445000
1000
观众：肥皂
07:44
SB: Soap, yeah. What else do you see?
163
446000
2000
苏珊：肥皂，对。还有什么呢？
07:46
Audience: (Inaudible)
164
448000
1000
观众：（无声）
07:47
SB: Mmm mmm.
165
449000
1000
苏珊：嗯，嗯。
07:48
Audience: Sink, toilet!
166
450000
1000
观众：面盆，马桶！
07:49
SB: Sink, toilet, yes, these are all memes, they're all memes,
167
451000
2000
苏珊：面盆，马桶，对，这些都是迷因，它们全是迷因，
07:51
but they're sort of useful ones, and then there's this one.
168
453000
3000
但是它们算是有用的迷因。请看这个。
07:54
(Laughter)
169
456000
3000
（笑声）
07:58
What is this one doing?
170
460000
2000
这个是做什么用的呢？
08:00
(Laughter)
171
462000
1000
（笑声）
08:01
This has spread all over the world.
172
463000
2000
这个已经遍布全球。
08:03
It's not surprising that you all found it
173
465000
2000
你们能找到它一点也不奇怪
08:05
when you arrived in your bathrooms here.
174
467000
2000
当你进入浴室的时候。
08:07
But I took this photograph in a toilet at the back of a tent
175
469000
5000
这是我拍的在帐篷后面的一个厕所的照片
08:12
in the eco-camp in the jungle in Assam.
176
474000
2000
是在阿萨姆丛林中的生态营中。
08:14
(Laughter)
177
476000
1000
（笑声）
08:16
Who folded that thing up there, and why?
178
478000
3000
谁把它叠成那样，为什么？
08:19
(Laughter)
179
481000
1000
（笑声）
08:20
Some people get carried away.
180
482000
2000
有些人模仿的过头了
08:22
(Laughter)
181
484000
3000
（笑声）
08:26
Other people are just lazy and make mistakes.
182
488000
3000
其他人则太懒而弄错了。
08:29
Some hotels exploit the opportunity to put even more memes
183
491000
3000
一些酒店利用机会增加更多的迷因
08:32
with a little sticker.
184
494000
2000
附上小标签。
08:34
(Laughter)
185
496000
1000
（笑声）
08:35
What is this all about?
186
497000
2000
这都是为了什么呢？
08:37
I suppose it's there to tell you that somebody's
187
499000
2000
我觉得是告诉你某个人
08:39
cleaned the place, and it's all lovely.
188
501000
2000
清理过这个地方，一切都美好。
08:41
And you know, actually, all it tells you is that another person
189
503000
3000
你知道，实际上它告诉你的就是另一个人
08:44
has potentially spread germs from place to place.
190
506000
3000
潜在的将细菌从一个地方传到了另一个地方。
08:47
(Laughter)
191
509000
1000
（笑声）
08:48
So, think of it this way.
192
510000
2000
这么想吧。
08:50
Imagine a world full of brains
193
512000
2000
想象一个充满脑袋的世界
08:52
and far more memes than can possibly find homes.
194
514000
3000
迷因多的都找不到家。
08:55
The memes are all trying to get copied --
195
517000
3000
这些迷因都试着被复制，
08:58
trying, in inverted commas -- i.e.,
196
520000
3000
试着，直白地讲，例如，
09:01
that's the shorthand for, if they can get copied, they will.
197
523000
3000
就是竭尽全力地被复制。
09:04
They're using you and me as their propagating, copying machinery,
198
526000
6000
它们用你和我作为它们的宣传复制机器，
09:10
and we are the meme machines.
199
532000
3000
我们就是迷因机器。
09:13
Now, why is this important?
200
535000
2000
为什么这个很重要呢？
09:15
Why is this useful, or what does it tell us?
201
537000
2000
为什么这个很有用，或者说这个告诉了我们什么呢？
09:17
It gives us a completely new view of human origins
202
539000
4000
它给了我们看待人类起源的一个全新的观点
09:21
and what it means to be human,
203
543000
1000
以及这对人类有什么意义。
09:22
all conventional theories of cultural evolution,
204
544000
4000
所有传统的文化进化，
09:26
of the origin of humans,
205
548000
2000
人类的起源，
09:28
and what makes us so different from other species.
206
550000
4000
以及是什么将我们区别于其他物种。
09:32
All other theories explaining the big brain, and language, and tool use
207
554000
2000
所有其他理论解释大脑，语言和工具使用
09:34
and all these things that make us unique,
208
556000
2000
以及所有让我们与众不同的这些东西，
09:36
are based upon genes.
209
558000
3000
都基于基因。
09:39
Language must have been useful for the genes.
210
561000
3000
语言必须对基因有用。
09:42
Tool use must have enhanced our survival, mating and so on.
211
564000
3000
工具的使用必须增强我们的生存能力，繁殖能力，以及等等。
09:45
It always comes back, as Richard Dawkins complained
212
567000
3000
它总要回来的，就像理查德道金斯抱怨的一样
09:48
all that long time ago, it always comes back to genes.
213
570000
3000
长时间来，它总要回到基因上来。
09:51
The point of memetics is to say, "Oh no, it doesn't."
214
573000
4000
迷因的重点是说，“哦，不，它不是。”
09:55
There are two replicators now on this planet.
215
577000
3000
这个星球上有两个复制因子。
09:58
From the moment that our ancestors,
216
580000
3000
一个是我们的祖先那个时候的，
10:01
perhaps two and a half million years ago or so,
217
583000
2000
或许是250万年左右，
10:03
began imitating, there was a new copying process.
218
585000
4000
开始模仿，有了一个新的复制过程。
10:07
Copying with variation and selection.
219
589000
2000
充满了变化和选择的复制。
10:09
A new replicator was let loose, and it could never be --
220
591000
5000
释放了一个新的复制因子，可能永远不会--
10:14
right from the start -- it could never be
221
596000
1000
从一开始就正确，它可能永远不会
10:15
that human beings who let loose this new creature,
222
597000
5000
是人类是从这个新释放的复制因子开始，
10:20
could just copy the useful, beautiful, true things,
223
602000
3000
只复制有用的，美丽的，正确的东西，
10:23
and not copy the other things.
224
605000
2000
而不复制其他的东西。
10:25
While their brains were having an advantage from being able to copy --
225
607000
3000
当他们的大脑具有复制的优势--
10:28
lighting fires, keeping fires going, new techniques of hunting,
226
610000
5000
点火，让火种延续，打猎的新技术，
10:33
these kinds of things --
227
615000
2000
这些事情--
10:35
inevitably they were also copying putting feathers in their hair,
228
617000
3000
不可避免地他们也复制将羽毛带在头上，
10:38
or wearing strange clothes, or painting their faces,
229
620000
2000
或者穿奇怪的衣服，或者在他们的脸上绘画，
10:40
or whatever.
230
622000
1000
或者随便什么。
10:41
So, you get an arms race between the genes
231
623000
4000
所以，在基因间产生了装备竞赛
10:45
which are trying to get the humans to have small economical brains
232
627000
4000
基因试着要人类拥有小而经济的大脑，
10:49
and not waste their time copying all this stuff,
233
631000
2000
而不是浪费他们的时间复制全部的东西，
10:51
and the memes themselves, like the sounds that people made and copied --
234
633000
4000
迷因它们自己，像人们发出和复制的声音--
10:56
in other words, what turned out to be language --
235
638000
2000
换句话说，就是语言的前身--
10:58
competing to get the brains to get bigger and bigger.
236
640000
3000
竞争着拥有大脑，越来越大的大脑。
11:01
So, the big brain, on this theory, is driven by the memes.
237
643000
4000
所以大型脑这个理论是由迷因驱动的。
11:05
This is why, in "The Meme Machine," I called it memetic drive.
238
647000
4000
这就是为什么，在“迷因机器”中，我称它为迷因驱动。
11:09
As the memes evolve, as they inevitably must,
239
651000
3000
当迷因在演变，当它们难免必须，
11:12
they drive a bigger brain that is better at copying the memes
240
654000
4000
驱使一个更大的大脑，能更好地复制
11:16
that are doing the driving.
241
658000
2000
驱动的迷因。
11:18
This is why we've ended up with such peculiar brains,
242
660000
4000
这就使为什么我们拥有这样奇特的脑部，
11:22
that we like religion, and music, and art.
243
664000
3000
我们喜欢宗教，音乐和艺术。
11:25
Language is a parasite that we've adapted to,
244
667000
3000
语言是我们已经适应的寄生物，
11:28
not something that was there originally for our genes,
245
670000
2000
而不是我们基因原有的，
11:30
on this view.
246
672000
2000
根据这个观点。
11:32
And like most parasites, it can begin dangerous,
247
674000
3000
像大多数寄生物一样，语言一开始有危险，
11:35
but then it coevolves and adapts,
248
677000
3000
但是后来它一起改变和适应
11:38
and we end up with a symbiotic relationship
249
680000
2000
我们最终和这寄生物
11:40
with this new parasite.
250
682000
1000
达成共生关系
11:41
And so, from our perspective,
251
683000
2000
所以对我们来说，
11:43
we don't realize that that's how it began.
252
685000
3000
我们不知道那是如何开始的。
11:46
So, this is a view of what humans are.
253
688000
3000
所以这是个观点关于什么是人类。
11:49
All other species on this planet are gene machines only,
254
691000
3000
其他在这个星球上的物种只是基因机器，
11:52
they don't imitate at all well, hardly at all.
255
694000
3000
它们模仿的并不好，完全不好。
11:55
We alone are gene machines and meme machines as well.
256
697000
5000
我们单独即是基因机器也是迷因机器。
12:00
The memes took a gene machine and turned it into a meme machine.
257
702000
4000
迷因将一个基因机器变成一个迷因机器。
12:04
But that's not all.
258
706000
2000
但那不是全部。
12:06
We have a new kind of memes now.
259
708000
3000
我们现在有了新的迷因。
12:09
I've been wondering for a long time,
260
711000
1000
很长一段时间我都在思考，
12:10
since I've been thinking about memes a lot,
261
712000
2000
从我常常思考迷因开始，
12:12
is there a difference between the memes that we copy --
262
714000
2000
我们所复制的迷因之间的差别--
12:14
the words we speak to each other,
263
716000
2000
我们互相说的话，
12:16
the gestures we copy, the human things --
264
718000
2000
我们模仿的手势，人类之间的那些事--
12:18
and all these technological things around us?
265
720000
2000
以及所有这些我们周围的技术？
12:20
I have always, until now, called them all memes,
266
722000
4000
我总是，直到现在，称它们为迷因，
12:24
but I do honestly think now
267
726000
3000
但是我确实想到现在
12:27
we need a new word for technological memes.
268
729000
3000
我们需要用一个新词来描述技术迷因。
12:30
Let's call them techno-memes or temes.
269
732000
3000
我们称它们为技术迷因或者说技因。
12:33
Because the processes are getting different.
270
735000
3000
因为过程已经变了
12:37
We began, perhaps 5,000 years ago, with writing.
271
739000
3000
我们大概在5000年前开始书写。
12:40
We put the storage of memes out there on a clay tablet,
272
742000
7000
我们将迷因储存在泥板上，
12:48
but in order to get true temes and true teme machines,
273
750000
2000
但是为了得到真正的技因和真正的技因机器，
12:50
you need to get the variation, the selection and the copying,
274
752000
3000
必须要有变异，选择和复制，
12:53
all done outside of humans.
275
755000
2000
这些都要与人类无关。
12:55
And we're getting there.
276
757000
2000
我们快到了。
12:57
We're at this extraordinary point where we're nearly there,
277
759000
2000
我们正在这个节骨眼上，我们马上就要到了，
12:59
that there are machines like that.
278
761000
2000
有那样的机器存在。
13:01
And indeed, in the short time I've already been at TED,
279
763000
2000
真的，在我到TED的短短时间内，
13:03
I see we're even closer than I thought we were before.
280
765000
2000
我看到我们实际比我想象的要接近的多。
13:05
So actually, now the temes are forcing our brains
281
767000
6000
所以，实际上，现在这些技因强迫我们的大脑
13:11
to become more like teme machines.
282
773000
2000
变得更像技因机器。
13:13
Our children are growing up very quickly learning to read,
283
775000
3000
我们的孩子在成长中更快地学会阅读，
13:16
learning to use machinery.
284
778000
2000
学会适应机器。
13:18
We're going to have all kinds of implants,
285
780000
1000
我们将有各种各样的植入物，
13:19
drugs that force us to stay awake all the time.
286
781000
3000
药品，来强迫我们总是保持清醒。
13:22
We'll think we're choosing these things,
287
784000
2000
我们认为是我们选择这些事情，
13:24
but the temes are making us do it.
288
786000
3000
其实是技因让我们这么做。
13:28
So, we're at this cusp now
289
790000
1000
所以我们现在在这个转折点
13:29
of having a third replicator on our planet.
290
791000
4000
出现我们星球上的第三个复制因子。
13:34
Now, what about what else is going on out there in the universe?
291
796000
5000
现在，那么宇宙中还发生些什么呢？
13:39
Is there anyone else out there?
292
801000
2000
有没有外星人？
13:41
People have been asking this question for a long time.
293
803000
3000
人们问这个问题已经很久了。
13:44
We've been asking it here at TED already.
294
806000
2000
我们也在TED讨论过了。
13:46
In 1961, Frank Drake made his famous equation,
295
808000
4000
1961年，弗兰克得出他著名的等式，
13:50
but I think he concentrated on the wrong things.
296
812000
2000
但是我认为他关注了错误的东西。
13:52
It's been very productive, that equation.
297
814000
2000
那个等式很有用。
13:54
He wanted to estimate N,
298
816000
2000
他想估计N，
13:56
the number of communicative civilizations out there in our galaxy,
299
818000
4000
我们星系中有沟通文明的星球的数量。
14:00
and he included in there the rate of star formation,
300
822000
4000
他包括了星球成型的比率，
14:04
the rate of planets, but crucially, intelligence.
301
826000
4000
行星的比率，以及最关键的，智慧。
14:08
I think that's the wrong way to think about it.
302
830000
4000
我认为这样想不对。
14:12
Intelligence appears all over the place, in all kinds of guises.
303
834000
3000
智慧存在所有的地方，有着各种形式的伪装。
14:15
Human intelligence is only one kind of a thing.
304
837000
2000
人类智慧只是其中的一种。
14:17
But what's really important is the replicators you have
305
839000
3000
但是真正重要的是你的复制因子
14:20
and the levels of replicators, one feeding on the one before.
306
842000
4000
和副复制因子的级别，一个依靠前一个。
14:24
So, I would suggest that we don't think intelligence,
307
846000
5000
所以我想建议我们不去思考智慧，
14:29
we think replicators.
308
851000
2000
我们来思考复制因子。
14:31
And on that basis, I've suggested a different kind of equation.
309
853000
3000
基于这个，我建议一个不同的等式。
14:34
A very simple equation.
310
856000
2000
非常简单的等式。
14:36
N, the same thing,
311
858000
2000
N，还是同样的东西，
14:38
the number of communicative civilizations out there
312
860000
3000
拥有沟通文明的星球数量，
14:41
[that] we might expect in our galaxy.
313
863000
2000
我们的星系中，可能知道的。
14:43
Just start with the number of planets there are in our galaxy.
314
865000
4000
仅仅从我们星系中的行星数量开始。
14:47
The fraction of those which get a first replicator.
315
869000
4000
其中的一部分得到了第一个复制因子。
14:51
The fraction of those that get the second replicator.
316
873000
4000
这其中的一部分得到了第二个复制因子。
14:55
The fraction of those that get the third replicator.
317
877000
2000
这其中的一部分又得到了第三个复制因子。
14:58
Because it's only the third replicator that's going to reach out --
318
880000
3000
因为只有第三个复制因子能伸展出去--
15:01
sending information, sending probes, getting out there,
319
883000
3000
发送信息，发送探测器，对外探索，
15:04
and communicating with anywhere else.
320
886000
2000
同其他地方交流。
15:06
OK, so if we take that equation,
321
888000
3000
好，如果我们拿来这个等式，
15:09
why haven't we heard from anybody out there?
322
891000
5000
为什么我们没有收到任何信息呢?
15:14
Because every step is dangerous.
323
896000
4000
因为每一步都是危险的。
15:18
Getting a new replicator is dangerous.
324
900000
3000
得到一个新的 复制基因是危险的。
15:21
You can pull through, we have pulled through,
325
903000
2000
你虽然能逃脱危险，而且我们也曾经逃脱过危险
15:23
but it's dangerous.
326
905000
2000
但是确实危险的。
15:25
Take the first step, as soon as life appeared on this earth.
327
907000
3000
迈出第一步，正当生命在这个星球上出现的那一刻。
15:28
We may take the Gaian view.
328
910000
2000
我们可能采用盖安的观点。
15:30
I loved Peter Ward's talk yesterday -- it's not Gaian all the time.
329
912000
3000
我喜欢彼得沃德昨天的讲话--不全是盖安。
15:33
Actually, life forms produce things that kill themselves.
330
915000
3000
实际上，生命形式产生会杀死他们自己的东西。
15:36
Well, we did pull through on this planet.
331
918000
3000
我们确实在这个星球克服了这种危机。
15:39
But then, a long time later, billions of years later,
332
921000
2000
但是，长久的，几十亿年以后，
15:41
we got the second replicator, the memes.
333
923000
3000
我们的第二复制因子，迷因。
15:44
That was dangerous, all right.
334
926000
2000
那是危险的，好吧。
15:46
Think of the big brain.
335
928000
2000
想想大头脑。
15:48
How many mothers do we have here?
336
930000
3000
我们在座的有多少位母亲？
15:51
You know all about big brains.
337
933000
2000
你们知道大头脑们
15:53
They are dangerous to give birth to,
338
935000
2000
生产是很危险的。
15:55
are agonizing to give birth to.
339
937000
2000
是很痛苦的。
15:57
(Laughter)
340
939000
1000
（笑声）
15:59
My cat gave birth to four kittens, purring all the time.
341
941000
2000
我的猫生了四只小猫，喵喵得不停。
16:01
Ah, mm -- slightly different.
342
943000
2000
啊，嗯--有点不同。
16:03
(Laughter)
343
945000
2000
（笑声）
16:05
But not only is it painful, it kills lots of babies,
344
947000
3000
但是，不仅仅是痛苦，它还害死了很多婴儿，
16:08
it kills lots of mothers,
345
950000
2000
害死了很多位妈妈，
16:10
and it's very expensive to produce.
346
952000
2000
而且也很昂贵。
16:12
The genes are forced into producing all this myelin,
347
954000
2000
基因被迫去制造髓磷脂，
16:14
all the fat to myelinate the brain.
348
956000
2000
供应大脑的髓磷脂。
16:16
Do you know, sitting here,
349
958000
2000
你知道，坐在这儿，
16:18
your brain is using about 20 percent of your body's energy output
350
960000
4000
你的大脑使用百分之二十身体输出的能量
16:22
for two percent of your body weight?
351
964000
2000
而它只有你体重的百分之二。
16:24
It's a really expensive organ to run.
352
966000
2000
真是个运营昂贵的器官。
16:26
Why? Because it's producing the memes.
353
968000
2000
为什么？因为它产生迷因。
16:28
Now, it could have killed us off. It could have killed us off,
354
970000
4000
现在，它可以杀死我们全部--它可以做的，
16:32
and maybe it nearly did, but you see, we don't know.
355
974000
2000
或许它几乎这么做了，但是你看，我们不知道。
16:34
But maybe it nearly did.
356
976000
2000
但是或许它几乎这么做了。
16:36
Has it been tried before?
357
978000
1000
它原先试过吗？
16:37
What about all those other species?
358
979000
2000
那些其他的物种呢?
16:39
Louise Leakey talked yesterday
359
981000
2000
露易丝丽基昨天讲到的
16:41
about how we're the only one in this branch left.
360
983000
3000
我们是这个分支上唯一生存下来的
16:44
What happened to the others?
361
986000
2000
其他的都怎么了？
16:46
Could it be that this experiment in imitation,
362
988000
2000
会不会这一模仿的试验，
16:48
this experiment in a second replicator,
363
990000
2000
第二复制因子的试验，
16:50
is dangerous enough to kill people off?
364
992000
4000
太危险而导致消灭了人类呢？
16:54
Well, we did pull through, and we adapted.
365
996000
2000
我们的确过了一关，我们也适应了。
16:56
But now, we're hitting, as I've just described,
366
998000
3000
而现在，我们正在，就像我刚刚说过的，
16:59
we're hitting the third replicator point.
367
1001000
2000
我们正达到第三个复制因子阶段。
17:01
And this is even more dangerous --
368
1003000
3000
这更加的危险--
17:04
well, it's dangerous again.
369
1006000
2000
嗯，是又一次的危险。
17:06
Why? Because the temes are selfish replicators
370
1008000
4000
为什么？因为技因是自私复制因子
17:10
and they don't care about us, or our planet, or anything else.
371
1012000
3000
它们不关心我们，或者我们的星球，或者其他东西。
17:13
They're just information, why would they?
372
1015000
3000
它们只是信息--它们怎么会顾及我们呢？
17:17
They are using us to suck up the planet's resources
373
1019000
2000
它们只是用我们榨干星球上的资源
17:19
to produce more computers,
374
1021000
2000
来生产更多的计算机，
17:21
and more of all these amazing things we're hearing about here at TED.
375
1023000
3000
更多我们在TED上听到的新奇事物。
17:24
Don't think, "Oh, we created the Internet for our own benefit."
376
1026000
4000
不要想，“噢，我们发明互联网是为了我们自己。”
17:28
That's how it seems to us.
377
1030000
2000
看起来如此。
17:30
Think, temes spreading because they must.
378
1032000
4000
想想技因扩散是因为它们必须这么做。
17:34
We are the old machines.
379
1036000
2000
我们是老一代的机器了。
17:36
Now, are we going to pull through?
380
1038000
2000
现在，我们还能够过关吗？
17:38
What's going to happen?
381
1040000
2000
会发生什么？
17:40
What does it mean to pull through?
382
1042000
2000
过关意味着什么？
17:42
Well, there are kind of two ways of pulling through.
383
1044000
2000
好，有两种摆脱的方法。
17:45
One that is obviously happening all around us now,
384
1047000
2000
一种是显然正发生在我们周围
17:47
is that the temes turn us into teme machines,
385
1049000
4000
即技因将我们变成技因机器，
17:51
with these implants, with the drugs,
386
1053000
2000
用插入物，用药品，
17:53
with us merging with the technology.
387
1055000
3000
把我们和技术融合在一起。
17:56
And why would they do that?
388
1058000
2000
它们为什么要那样做？
17:58
Because we are self-replicating.
389
1060000
2000
因为我们是自身复制。
18:00
We have babies.
390
1062000
2000
我们有孩子。
18:02
We make new ones, and so it's convenient to piggyback on us,
391
1064000
3000
我们产生新的生命，所以搭载我们很方便。
18:05
because we're not yet at the stage on this planet
392
1067000
4000
因为在地球上，我们还没到达
18:09
where the other option is viable.
393
1071000
2000
其他可行方式的阶段。
18:11
Although it's closer, I heard this morning,
394
1073000
2000
虽然接近了，今天早上我听到了，
18:13
it's closer than I thought it was.
395
1075000
2000
比我想象地要近。
18:15
Where the teme machines themselves will replicate themselves.
396
1077000
3000
当技因机器他们自己能够复制他们自己。
18:18
That way, it wouldn't matter if the planet's climate
397
1080000
4000
那样，星球上的气候属否稳定
18:22
was utterly destabilized,
398
1084000
2000
已经不重要了，
18:24
and it was no longer possible for humans to live here.
399
1086000
2000
那时已经不适合人类居住了。
18:26
Because those teme machines, they wouldn't need --
400
1088000
2000
因为那些技因机器，它们不需要--
18:28
they're not squishy, wet, oxygen-breathing,
401
1090000
2000
它们不是血肉之躯，呼吸氧气，
18:30
warmth-requiring creatures.
402
1092000
3000
需要温暖的生物。
18:33
They could carry on without us.
403
1095000
2000
没有我们，它们照样生存
18:35
So, those are the two possibilities.
404
1097000
3000
因此，有这两种可能。
18:38
The second, I don't think we're that close.
405
1100000
4000
第二种，我不认为我们已经那么近了。
18:42
It's coming, but we're not there yet.
406
1104000
2000
我们在接近，但是还没有。
18:44
The first, it's coming too.
407
1106000
2000
第一，也在接近。
18:46
But the damage that is already being done
408
1108000
3000
但是对这个星球已经造成的危害
18:49
to the planet is showing us how dangerous the third point is,
409
1111000
5000
告诉我们第三复制因子将是多么的危险，
18:54
that third danger point, getting a third replicator.
410
1116000
3000
第三个危险点就是得到第三个复制因子。
18:58
And will we get through this third danger point,
411
1120000
2000
我们能否度过这第三个危险点，
19:00
like we got through the second and like we got through the first?
412
1122000
3000
像我们度过第二个危险点，第一个危险点那样？
19:04
Maybe we will, maybe we won't.
413
1126000
2000
或许能，或许不能
19:06
I have no idea.
414
1128000
3000
我也不知道。
19:13
(Applause)
415
1135000
10000
（掌声）
19:24
Chris Anderson: That was an incredible talk.
416
1146000
2000
克里斯 安德森：真是场精彩的演讲。
19:26
SB: Thank you. I scared myself.
417
1148000
2000
苏珊：谢谢你。我吓倒我自己了。
19:28
CA: (Laughter)
418
1150000
1000
克里斯 安德森：（笑声）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Susan Blackmore - MemeticistSusan Blackmore studies memes -- those self-replicating "life forms" that spread themselves via human consciousness. We're now headed, she believes, toward a new form of meme, spread by the technology we've created.
Why you should listen
Susan Blackmore is dedicated to understanding the scientific nature of consciousness. Her latest work centers on the existence of memes -- little bits of knowledge, lore, habit that seem to spread themselves using human brains as mere carriers. She's exploring the existence of a new class of meme, spread by human technology. It's temporarily named the "teme."
She has written about memes, consciousness, and near-death experiences; has appeared on the British Big Brother to discuss the psychology of the participants; and writes for the Guardian UK.
Susan Blackmore | Speaker | TED.com