Dan Dennett: Ants, terrorism, and the awesome power of meme
BackHere'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.
Channel: People & Blogs
Uploaded: July 3, 2007 at 1:42 am
Author: TEDtalksDirector
Length: 00:17:24
Rating: 4.81
Views: 60593
Tags: ted tedtalks
Video Comments:
mental177 (November 22, 2008 at 11:04 pm)
LOL funny
mtheoryrules (November 22, 2008 at 4:46 am)
If I were to assume that this is true, I would be inclined to ask the question -then how did civilizations come to exist at all?-
Sure humans still have an r-complex, and limbic system, but this does not mean that we are thus naturally inclined to ignore the temporal lobes.
I must remain skeptical of the validity of your cynical assessment in light of evidence that would suggest that it is not completely accurate.
Sure humans still have an r-complex, and limbic system, but this does not mean that we are thus naturally inclined to ignore the temporal lobes.
I must remain skeptical of the validity of your cynical assessment in light of evidence that would suggest that it is not completely accurate.
Veracity541986 (November 21, 2008 at 10:32 pm)
We are naturally an irrational, violent and fanatical species, we need no conditioning to do be these things. Humans need to be conditioned fro the reverse, logic and thinking.
mtheoryrules (November 21, 2008 at 12:24 pm)
This is the primary factor that causes me to reject religious philosophies.
The notion that a system of belief can exist without error and should simply be accepted as true. To me this is a red flag and it promotes black and white or us and them dichotomies which can often lead to conflicts that easily escalate into violence. What is worse is we all can be conditioned to become violent, irrational and fanatical. It is a flaw in the human psyche. But it is a flaw that I hope we can overcome.
The notion that a system of belief can exist without error and should simply be accepted as true. To me this is a red flag and it promotes black and white or us and them dichotomies which can often lead to conflicts that easily escalate into violence. What is worse is we all can be conditioned to become violent, irrational and fanatical. It is a flaw in the human psyche. But it is a flaw that I hope we can overcome.
kurtilein3 (November 21, 2008 at 11:06 am)
mtheoryrules:
yes, i thik you are right, very good comment.
the only line of defense that they have to protect their beliefs is to silence critical views. if you can tell the believer about the logical problems in the belief-system itself, and about the problems that religion causes, the most important line of defense is already broken. as soon as this happens, the religious side of the discussion will get into problems and defense gets icnreasingly difficult.
yes, i thik you are right, very good comment.
the only line of defense that they have to protect their beliefs is to silence critical views. if you can tell the believer about the logical problems in the belief-system itself, and about the problems that religion causes, the most important line of defense is already broken. as soon as this happens, the religious side of the discussion will get into problems and defense gets icnreasingly difficult.
mtheoryrules (November 21, 2008 at 5:34 am)
This reaction is necessary on the part of believers, for it has been firmly established in their minds that a unquestioning acceptance of the system of belief is a virtue or moral requirment. In general this has a benign effect, but some use it as a means to convince themselves or others that the beliefs are without error. It is how a system of belief can be exploited to inspire individuals act against others. It does not even have to be a religion, this can happen in any belief system.
mtheoryrules (November 21, 2008 at 5:18 am)
Some things are not simply granted by others.
It requires active pursuit to realize the ideas of freedom and the equality of rights among all humans.
To attempt to legislate ones beliefs or illogical moral reasoning should be combated by those that value rights and freedom.
I do not advocate violence.
But I do advocate the criticism of irrational beliefs that are used to justify an infringement upon human equality, dignity, and education.
It requires active pursuit to realize the ideas of freedom and the equality of rights among all humans.
To attempt to legislate ones beliefs or illogical moral reasoning should be combated by those that value rights and freedom.
I do not advocate violence.
But I do advocate the criticism of irrational beliefs that are used to justify an infringement upon human equality, dignity, and education.
pleytes (November 20, 2008 at 11:51 pm)
We agree on this. Take care.
kurtilein3 (November 20, 2008 at 10:59 pm)
pleytes:
i do not, and never will, promote hatred and violence against any group of people.
i am repeatedly clarifying this, i am acting according to this, you will not find any inconsistencies here.
if i would accept hatred or violence, then i wouldnt have a reason to criticize religion anymore. the reason why i put so much effort into getting my points about religion across is precisely because i can NOT tolerate it when hatred and violence is being promoted and poorly justified.
i do not, and never will, promote hatred and violence against any group of people.
i am repeatedly clarifying this, i am acting according to this, you will not find any inconsistencies here.
if i would accept hatred or violence, then i wouldnt have a reason to criticize religion anymore. the reason why i put so much effort into getting my points about religion across is precisely because i can NOT tolerate it when hatred and violence is being promoted and poorly justified.
stevenperry42 (November 20, 2008 at 4:03 pm)
Somebody get those audience members a goddamn throat lozenge...
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