I think the third kind of replicator is any self propagating pattern in an artificial context that does not require any human neurons. The computer virus fits in this class. If humans are not required to support the context (Gray Goo) then I would put it in class four. If androids dream of electric sheep, they may be in yet another.
-Ken
Anders Sandberg wrote:
> EvMick@aol.com writes:
>
> > Humans have two kinds of replicators working on them unlike every other
> > biological known. Consequently this explains why humanity is so ascendent
> > over everything else.
>
> To continue the series: what would it be to have *three* kinds of
> replicators?
>
> Genes, memes and... ?
>
> --
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension!
> asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/
> GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y