Just as the design of our bodies can be understood only in terms of natural selection, so the design of our minds can be understood only in terms of memetic selection.
Susan BlackmoreThe sale of sex in modern societies is not about spreading genes. Sex has been taken over by the memes.
Susan BlackmoreFinally, we might decide that civilisation itself is worth preserving. In that case we have to work out what to save and which people would be needed in a drastically reduced population - weighing the value of scientists and musicians against that of politicians, for example...
Susan BlackmoreAll other species on this planet are gene machines only. They don't imitate at all well; we alone are gene machines and meme machines as well.
Susan BlackmoreAll things considered, I can see no reason to adopt the afterlife hypothesis. I am sure I shall remain in a minority for a long time to come, especially among experiencers, but for me the evidence and the arguments are overwhelming ... We are biological organisms, evolved in fascinating ways for no purpose at all and with no end in mind. We are simply here and this is how it is. I have no self and "I" own nothing. There is no one to die. There is just this moment, and now this, and now this.
Susan Blackmore