In the case of humans, and indeed with most modern animals and plants, one can at least roughly draw a connection with evolutionary ancestors. Virologists cannot boast of this. In fact, science still doesn't understand what a virus is.

How did such a strange form of matter exist? There are two main versions.

First version: viruses are runaway genes. Such a scenario is not hard to imagine. Our genome contains elements called transposons, which can cut themselves out of one part of the genome and insert into another. Sometimes these "mobile genes" take with them other DNA fragments that are in the neighborhood. It is assumed that billions of years ago, one of these "movable genes" accidentally assembled in one set the minimum set necessary for independent existence: on the left, for example, there was a "copying machine" needed to reproduce DNA, and on the right - a "penknife" with with which you could get into a new cell. From that moment on, the gene turned into a virus and began to evolve separately from the parent organism.

This hypothesis is supported by historical precedent. Something similar happened with mitochondria - "power stations" that make up our cells. Once they were bacteria, but then they entered into an alliance with larger cells, lost their independence and today they are an integral part of them.

As with the origin of life, the history of viruses is lost over the centuries. Viruses do not have bones or shells, they do not leave fossils or traces in sedimentary rocks. It is possible that viruses appeared independently (possibly in different ways) several times. It is almost certainly known that all living organisms originated from one cell. Whether this applies to "semi-live" viruses is still unknown.

Bold and witty book by Richard Brody turns everything that psychology, political science and management have stood on until now. Human thinking and behavior, he argues, are dictated by memes. A meme is a psycho-virus, a mental image. It arises in our minds and begins an independent life. It multiplies and changes our behavior.

Memes can be funny, like Pokemon, and harmless, like miniskirts, and can be harmful, like food from McDonald's, and even sinister, like fascism. Memes can make you happy and rich, or they can make you poor and sick.

This book will teach you not only to recognize psycho viruses, but also to separate good memes from bad ones. Stop obeying memes - you better make them work for you!

Chapter 3. Viruses

Imagine a jukebox in a bar. Let's say you press the 11-HELL button. And in response you hear the following song:
Throw another coin into the jukebox.

There is no better song in the world than the eleventh HELL.

Douglas Hofstedter, Gödel, Escher, Bach

A long time ago, perhaps several billion years ago, a new organism was born through evolutionary transformation - if it can be called an organism. He had an unusual property that allowed him to infect the reproductive system of other organisms, forcing it to produce copies of this "organism." We call these "organisms" viruses.

Viruses are found in three worlds known to us. First, in the field of biology - in any living organisms, in humans, in plants, in animals. It was here that viruses were first discovered. Viruses can live not only on tobacco leaves, but also in our bodies. There are countless varieties of biological viruses that exist on earth, and countless subtypes of each of these varieties. It is these viruses that cause diseases that annually claim millions of lives, sometimes resistant to treatment or insufficiently studied - from the common cold to AIDS and other dangerous diseases.

The second area in which viruses exist is the human-created world of computers, information networks, databases and programs. Viruses in this world have not been discovered - they were invented by man and he was also designed in the form of programs.

The invention of computer viruses is generally credited to Robert Morris Jr., a Cornell University student who conducted an unauthorized experiment on the government-funded national computer network in November 1988. Morris wrote a program that would leave copies of itself on every computer connected to the network.

The distribution of the program had to stop at some point. But due to a small student error, she continued to work. Over the course of several hours, the virus created millions of copies of itself, and the entire national network was paralyzed. Government officials took this "hacker hacker" so seriously that, much to his amazement, the student had to answer under federal criminal law. Morris's program, which went down in history as the Internet Worm, was the first example of a computer virus. This program gave almost unlimited power to the virus, and the latter, after it was "released from the pitcher," completely out of control on the part of its creator.

Nowadays, the term "computer virus" is widely known. It turned out that the electronic variant of the virus is almost as difficult to cure as its biological equivalent. but computer programs much easier to understand than DNA, and this fact was immediately taken advantage of by the new antivirus industry, which has managed to make good money from its business. There are regular updates for such programs as Vaccine, Dr. Virus or Antivirus, they help protect computers from all known "diseases." Digital vandals are not asleep either - they continue to create new types of viruses. The speed of action and data transmission, almost unlimited possibilities for storing information make computers an attractive target for criminals and a favorable environment for the spread of viruses.

Viruses exist in three unrelated areas: in biology, in the world of information technology and in human consciousness. This table compares the various terms used to describe evolution and viruses in each of the three named "worlds."

The third sphere of vital activity of viruses is the subject of this book. This is the world of consciousness, culture and thought. A paradigm shift is currently taking place in this world. We are replacing the old model of cultural evolution, which was based on innovation and conquest, with a new one, based on memetics and psychic viruses. Viruses operating in this area combine the properties of the two previous worlds: they exist initially, and they can be "discovered", and sometimes they are created deliberately.

In 1978, in a small Guyanese village, a congregation of closely related members of a religious community allegedly committed group suicide. These people consumed a mixture of cyanide, sedative and strawberry food essence. They knew they would die. What else they "knew" we can only guess. Did they “know” that some kind of reward awaits them in their future life? Or did they "know" that it was their duty and duty to follow the orders of Jim Jones, the leader of this sect? Or did they "know" that keeping the laws of their "faith" would ultimately lead them to a better life? One thing is obvious: their "knowledge" did not bring them anything good. Taking the poisonous mixture, they did not follow their instinct, they followed the "programmed" memes that eventually led them to death.

Why does Pepsi spend millions of dollars on TV commercials in which people who use their product repeat endlessly "whoo-hoo ..."? Why do some strange stories happen from time to time, which afterwards become “urban legends”? Why "letters of happiness" in all their varieties continue their endless march around the world and nothing seems to stop them?

All the answers to these questions, one way or another, will lead us to the study of the nature of psychic viruses. Human consciousness, like a cell and a computer, has all the necessary properties for viruses to exist and multiply in it. The fact is that our society, in which one can instantly communicate and gain access to any information, is becoming the most favorable environment for psychic viruses. And their living conditions are improving every day.

WHAT IS A VIRUS

Since the concept of a virus is used simultaneously in the three listed areas of knowledge - in biology, in information technology and in the science of human consciousness - we will first consider the action of biological viruses.

The conversation about viruses would not be complete if we did not mention their ability to reproduce themselves. First of all, this is how the virus functions: it reproduces itself - “makes its copies”. This fact is not only curious for us: the fact is that the virus uses us as its laboratory in which it is busy reproducing.

Viruses are structures that use external reproducing mechanisms to create their own copies.

One of the reasons we take viruses very seriously is that self-copying - replication - is one of nature's most powerful driving forces. Where one object appears, two, four, eight, 16,32,64,128,256,512 appear ... An increase in the number at which the number of objects doubles is called exponential growth, and the goal of this progression is to fill all the available space. The atomic bomb works in a similar way: the fission of an atomic nucleus causes a chain reaction when many atoms are already fission. As a result of this process, energy is released. And since the space inside the bomb is limited, a powerful explosion occurs.

5 If you believe that God is the most powerful driving force of nature, then do not forget that he created us in His image and likeness. But this is an example of self-replication!

An ordinary biological virus has access only to those self-reproduction mechanisms that are inside the cells of the organism attacked by the virus. In the normal state, these mechanisms are used by the cells themselves - they produce proteins, duplicate nucleic acids and prepare the division of the cells themselves. The virus invades the cell and "deceives" the reproduction mechanisms - in addition to or instead of their usual functions, they begin to reproduce the virus. It seems to me like this: the virus, like a kind of syringe, sticks its needle into the cell and injects its own genetic program into it. As a result, the cellular mechanism begins to "produce" new syringes. There is some "poetic license" in this comparison, but it helped me get the right idea of \u200b\u200bhow viruses work.

Viruses can be found wherever replication mechanisms operate. Modern computer networks, which are specifically designed to copy and transmit data, have from the very beginning become the object of interest of malicious individuals and prankster hackers - the first artificial computer viruses appeared immediately after the emergence of these networks. Unlike their biological counterparts, all known computer viruses were created by humans. This is not surprising - after all, computer networks were created specifically in order to minimize mutations, that is, data distortion.

A mutation is an error in the copying process. As a result of such a mistake, instead of an exact duplicate of the original, a defective copy appears - or, perhaps, in some respects improved.

Since computers were designed to be easy to program, it’s not surprising that this software environment proved to be easy to create viruses — much easier than, for example, DNA-based viruses. DNA was not invented by humans for the purpose of subsequent programming: DNA does not include an ordered mechanism of commands, multipurpose registers, or generally accepted interface standards for information input / output. Let me assume that it will be a long time before we learn how to create a complete organism based on a DNA scheme, as programmers create software based on programming languages \u200b\u200b6.

6 If, however, this happens, then thanks to the use of a more sophisticated "programming" language, in which the needs of genetic engineering will be "translated" into the "format" of DNA strands (this is how a programming language combines a programmer's intentions with a machine language in the form of actual instructions that computer). When this happens, you can buy living vacuum cleaners in supermarkets that will run around your house at night and suck dust from floors and carpets. Great opportunities will open up for "adult" entertainment, although morally this will raise many questions.

A virus can exist wherever the copying process takes place. For billions of years, the most essential role has been played by copying DNA and associated molecules. Recently, we have learned a lot about how the physical mechanism of DNA reproduction works, but we still do not have a complete picture of how the information contained in DNA produces the "self-assembly" of an adult from one cell. This is a huge gap - the difference is about the same as between information about the process of typographic printing of the encyclopedia "Britannica" and understanding all the laws of the world described in it.

The virus does not interfere with the process of DNA reproduction, it only supplements the information that must be copied, or replaces it completely. What will happen to the cell that contains this new information? There are three options here

1. Information may turn out to be "incomprehensible" for a new cell, and it will not affect its functioning in any way.

As the syringe passes through the skin, individual biological viruses penetrate the cell's defense mechanism. They "enter" instructions into the cell so that the cellular reproductive mechanism produces more viruses. Ultimately, the cell explodes and new copies of the viruses attack other cells.

Perhaps it will only reduce its "productivity" in relation to other functions.

2. Information can complicate and even completely disorganize the work of the cell and cause its "wrong action", at least from the point of view of the cell itself. (From the point of view of the virus, the new way of functioning of the cell will be the best.)

3. Information can cause the emergence of new qualities or protective mechanisms of the cell, thus improving its functioning.

JUST FULFILL THE ORDER

The virus takes advantage of the fact that the reproduction mechanisms do not have a control system that would ensure accurate copying of information. In the case of living cells, the reproduction mechanisms simply "copy" the instructions into the cell itself - which proteins should be produced. In turn, these proteins regulate various chemical reactions that occur at certain periods of cell development: at a certain period, one should store up sugar, then release oxygen, divide and die. The virus uses the insidious tactics of a mad bomber squadron commander in Kubrick's film Doctor Strangelove, who gives the order to launch an attack on Moscow: the cage, like a bomber team, simply executes new commands, and things get twisted.

One of the commands of the virus is to produce more viruses and find ways to transfer them to other cells. This command is especially important - otherwise the virus would die very quickly. The spread of the virus can be direct, when the cell ruptures as a result of too many viral particles, or indirect - the virus forces the wearer to sneeze, and he splashes mucus rich in viruses.

Computer viruses work in a similar way. First of all, the vandal programmer injects the virus code into any program, counting on it to be run by unsuspecting users. When this happens, the infected code places copies of itself in some or all of the detected programs on the computer. As soon as one of these programs is copied (knowingly or unintentionally) and launched, the other computer will also be infected and the process will be repeated.

Let's leave aside the social significance of this type of vandalism. We need to note the following signs of viruses that unite "infections" in biology and in information technology:

/ A foreign element is introduced into this environment. In this environment, the copy / self-replication process takes place.

/ In this environment, some commands are executed.

/ The foreign element is copied, in some cases - gives new commands and transferred to a new environment in which the process is repeated.

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE VIRUS?

The condition for the effective activity of the virus is the long life of its carrier, during which the carrier will distribute copies of the virus. A strange conclusion suggests itself: the most effective viruses ensure a long life for their victims so that they can spread them as long as possible. Doesn't it follow that viruses in general are interested in our existence, since their survival directly depends on our health?

It depends on what meaning we put into the word "interested". In the long term, the "effectiveness" of a virus depends on its ability to replicate itself without killing its host. Of course, this will be little consolation for those who have been killed by a virus that has not yet become sufficiently "effective" in the course of its evolution. As John Maynard Keynes pointed out, in the long run, we are all dead. But even "in the short term," a virus that infected ten people could be considered "quite effective", killing only one host in the process - you. If the virus immediately killed all its carriers, then it certainly could not be considered "effective." A computer virus that would instantly disable every computer it infects would immediately cease to exist. However, the long life of the carrier is just one of the ways to accomplish the "mission" of the virus:

The mission of the virus is to create as many copies of itself as possible.

Wait a minute, what does "mission of the virus" mean? Do we really think that viruses have a purpose, a purpose? What is the general meaning of these words - "mission of the virus"? Isn't it enough for viruses to simply infect one cell, and then “retire” - sit back in a chair and contemplate the endoplasmic reticulum for the rest of their days?

The short answer to this is: if the virus behaved this way, it would not be a virus in our understanding - as we defined it earlier. By the term "virus" we define such structures that penetrate from the outside, create their own similarities, perhaps leave some commands and spread. However, giving up on definition would be too easy. There is one subtle point in this question, and it is very important to understand it for understanding our entire book.

When we look at life from the point of view of a virus, we do not mean at all that the virus has life, thoughts, and even its own point of view 7.

7 The term “virus viewpoint” is much like what evolutionary biologists call “teleological fallacy”: the tendency to attribute complex evolutionary motives to dumb animals or biomolecules. In reality, we are looking at the "knowledge" of viruses, "acquired" by them over billions of years of evolution, and not the memetic thoughts that humans possess.

Looking at the world from this perspective - from the perspective of the virus - allows us to better understand the most interesting aspects of the existence of viruses: how and for what purpose they spread.

When I say that the "life mission" of a virus is to spread, I mean only that, on closer inspection, what is interesting about viruses is that they spread. If they did not spread, then we would not call them viruses and they would not arouse such interest in us. We are interested in them because their ability to penetrate, create copies of their own, leave commands, and especially spread, is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It cannot but interest, excite and even horrify the fact that something that has ever been "released into the wild" begins to live its own life and multiply - without any further participation on the part of its creator.

The expression "a virus has a mission in life" is just a ruse to help us understand how it works. It would be equally correct to present the situation from the opposite point of view:

There are a large number of mechanisms for reproducing and disseminating information in the world, and viruses are among those objects that are reproduced and spread most often.

Some replication mechanisms allow viruses to replicate "directly"; others do it in “roundabout ways”. However, the most common viruses are those whose mechanisms have managed to “grab” onto some other organism and create copies of themselves.

If we limit the scope of our research to "effective" viruses, then we will pay attention, first of all, to the common feature that unites them - the ability to spread quickly and efficiently. DNA viruses replicate efficiently by cellular mechanisms self-reproduction. Criminals who create computer viruses have found "effective" ways to spread viruses in the information-copying mechanisms built into computers. All this forces us to pay attention to the most interesting mechanism of reproduction: human consciousness.

CONSCIOUSNESS

Human consciousness is equally good at copying information and executing commands given to it. Let's recall the four main characteristics of a virus: the ability to infiltrate, create copies of itself, issue commands (in some cases), and spread. Perhaps this thought will seem monstrous to you, but our consciousness is an ideal environment for psychic viruses. Mental viruses can penetrate our consciousness, because we absorb new ideas and fresh information with sense and skill. We ourselves create copies of psychic viruses in the process of communication with other people, and this process of reproduction is getting better and better every day. Psychic viruses issue commands, programming our minds with new memes that affect our behavior. Mental viruses spread when a chain of events resulting from our new behaviors begins to affect some uninfected consciousness.

There are many examples of psychic viruses, from new fashion fads to religious cults. Any element of culture can become a virus, the existence of which affects people, forcing them to change their way of thinking and behavior, which ultimately leads to the strengthening or reproduction of this element of culture. Chapters 9, 10, and 11 provide numerous examples of psychic viruses.

At this point I would like to distinguish between psychic viruses, which arise spontaneously, and viruses, which are consciously created by humans. We will call naturally occurring viruses cultural, and those created by humans - project viruses. Design viruses are carefully "engineered". Their purpose is to infect people with a collection of memes that force the virus to spread to other people.

Almost everything that has been said here is not directly related to the matter.
A virus is not an organism at all, and even more so, not alive.
A living organism is a complex biological system that is capable of self-reproduction and maintenance of its own vital activity (respiration, consumption of nutrients, etc.). It can be unicellular (eg bacteria) or multicellular. A virus is a cast of DNA or RNA molecules and proteins, which is just a piece of the genetic code that does not show basic signs of vital activity.
If we give an analogy from the world of mechanisms, then a cell can be represented as, for example, a copier (and this is a mechanism), and a virus is a sheet of paper with text (this is no longer a mechanism). So, a sheet of paper, getting into the copier, leads to the fact that the copier begins to issue copies of this sheet with the text, and will do this until either this sheet is taken out of the copier, or until the copier wakes up.
Roughly the same relationship occurs between a cell (living system) and a virus (non-living object).

If you express your agreement or disagreement with your analogy with a robot, then the comparison is quite appropriate. A bit of theory: a virus from lat. "Virus" - poison

The overwhelming majority of organisms living on Earth today consists of cells, and only viruses do not have a cellular structure.

According to this most important feature, all living things are currently divided by scientists into two empires:
- precellular (viruses and phages),
- cellular (all other organisms: bacteria and groups close to them, fungi, green plants, animals and humans).

The virion (or viral particle) consists of one or more DNA or RNA molecules enclosed in a protein shell (capsid), sometimes containing also lipid and carbohydrate components.

The diameter of viral particles (also called virions) is 20-300 nm. That is, they are much smaller than the smallest of prokaryotic cells. Since the sizes of proteins and some amino acids are in the range of 2-50 nm, the viral particle could be considered simply a complex of macromolecules. Due to their small size and inability to reproduce themselves, viruses are often classified as "non-living".

They say: "A virus is an intermediate form of life, or non-life," because outside the host's cell it turns into a crystal.

It is believed that a virus is a transition from chemistry to living.

The most important distinguishing features of viruses are as follows:

2. They do not have their own metabolism, they have a very limited number of enzymes. For reproduction, the metabolism of the host cell, enzymes and energy are used.