We are all susceptible to the pull of viral ideas. Like mass hysteria. Or a tune that gets into your head that you keep humming all day until you spread it to someone else. Jokes. Urban legends. Crackpot religions. Marxism. No matter how smart we get, there is always this deep irrational part that makes us potential hosts for self-replicating information.
Neal StephensonSupposing that originally there was nothing but one creator, how could ordinary binary sexual relations come into being?
Neal StephensonShe looked at me like I was crazy. Most of my lovers do, and that's partly why they love me, and partly why they leave
Neal StephensonThe difference between stupid and intelligent people - and this is true whether or not they are well-educated - is that intelligent people can handle subtlety.
Neal Stephenson