“What happens when an animal or person dies? Something seems to have departed--something like a vital spark that makes the difference between life and death. In the nineteenth century, philosophers believed that there really was such a thing and called… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
For the planet's sake, I hope we have bird flu or some other thing that will reduce the population, because otherwise we're doomed. — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
Just as the design of our bodies can be understood only in terms of natural selection, so the design of our minds can be… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they think about memes is they try to extend on the analogy with genes. That's… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
You start by copying other people's paintings or music or whatever. You get all of those skills before you branch out. Really creative people… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
Take male strategies for success in the world. If you've got all the advantages, if you're attractive and clever and all of that, you… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
The sale of sex in modern societies is not about spreading genes. Sex has been taken over by the memes. — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
In proportion to our body mass, our brain is three times as large as that of our nearest relatives. This huge organ is dangerous… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
Free will and consciousness is an illusion, and the self is a complex of memes. — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
If everyone understood evolution, then the tyranny of religious memes would be weakened, and we little humans might find a better way to live… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
Finally, we might decide that civilisation itself is worth preserving. In that case we have to work out what to save and which people… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
Imagine a world full of brains, and far more memes than can possibly find homes. Which memes are more likely to find a safe… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
All other species on this planet are gene machines only. They don't imitate at all well; we alone are gene machines and meme machines… — Susan Blackmore Copy Share Image
