Dan Dennett: Ants, terrorism, and the awesome power of memes

Ahnimus

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/116

Here's one of those talks that can change your view of the world forever. Starting with the deceptively simple story of an ant, Dan Dennett unleashes a dazzling sequence of ideas, making a powerful case for the existence of "memes" -- a term coined by Richard Dawkins for mental concepts that are literally alive and capable of spreading from brain to brain. On the way, look out for:
+ a powerful one-sentence secret of happiness
+ a compelling insight into terrorists' motivation
+ a chilling view of Islam
And just when you think you know where the talk's heading, it dramatically shifts direction and questions some of western culture's fundamental assumptions.
This. Is. Unmissable.

Good stuff. Unmissable as the synopsis suggests.

hippiemom

I like Daniel Dennett. I enjoyed Freedom Evolves, and Breaking the Spell is next in my stack of books. I don't watch many videos ... generally, I'd rather read than listen ... but I'll have a go at this one.

Thanks, Ryan

Ahnimus

I can tell you its basically about Memetics.

Like Richard Dawkins The Selfish Gene

But I like Dennet a lot myself. He's been very influential to me and my philosophies. I haven't had a chance to read any of his books, I'm going through some rough financial times and reading loners. I have about 40% of The Christ Conspiracy left and a couple chapters I gotta get back to in Developmental Psychology then I think my GF is gonna lend me her Psychology and Physiology textbooks.

I'm really liking my GF too. We are up late all the time talking anatomy. I'm trying to talk to her about philosophy, but I have to teach her all the terms first, lol. I sent her a text the other day saying something like "But that's a non sequitor. An anthropormophism of the universe." and she didn't have a clue what I said. But then she was talking physiology and it was way over my head, so its great we can learn from each other.