Individual vs Self Discover

Justin Keller

Basic Composition 101R, Section R4

Professor Keates

Rough Draft 4

10/6/13

Individual Perspective vs. Self Discovery

In Jane Goodall’s “In the Forests of Gombe,” and Susan Blackmore’s “Strange Creatures,” both authors share different ideas on how information is obtained and shared. Goodall argues that people formulate their ideas through observation, while Blackmore argues that people simply imitate one another. While Blackmore believe that “memes” shape our mindsets, Goodall argues the opposite and believes that people have the power over “memes” and can shape their own mindsets. Goodall and Blackmore share different arguments but both authors believe that the most important thing is that we pass these ideas we develop to future generations.

Goodall and Blackmore argue that the information we obtain in life must be passed on to the next generations. Blackmore believes the passing down of information to future generations can be described as memes. These memes are important to Blackmore because it makes humans unique in a way that memes are obtained through the imitation of others. Blackmore says, “Certainly, other animals do not take naturally to it. Blink, or wave, or smile at your dog or cat and what happens? She might purr, wag her tail, twitch, or walk away, but you can be pretty sure she will not imitate you” (Blackmore 33). The beginning of Blackmore’s essay questions the reader to differentiate between people and animals. Blackmore believes that people’s ability to imitate one another is what separates us from other animals. The passing down of information in Blackmore’s essay is important because it is what makes people unique and is what separates us from other animals. On the other hand, Goodall believes that it is important that information is passed on so that it can help people search for meaning in life. In Goodall’s essay she describes windows as these devices that are filled with information that is passed down that is...