[I]t seems I was wrong and the idea of religions as “viruses of the mind” may have had its day. … [U]nless we twist the concept of a “virus” to include something helpful and adaptive to its host as well as something harmful, it simply does not apply. … This is how science (unlike religion) works: in the end it’s the data that counts. Being shown you are wrong is horrid, but this has happened to me often enough before (yes, you may make jokes if you like) and one gets used to it. This shock may not be as bad as when I discovered I was wrong about the paranormal, but it’s still a shock.

–Susan Blackmore

This quote was taken from a blog post published at the Huffington Post by Clay Farris Naff.  Susan Blackmore, for those who don’t know, was until recently an acolyte of Richard Dawkins’ brand of hyper empiricism and an advocate for the abolishment of all religions. She was perhaps the foremost champion of Memes, and the idea that religion is a “virus of the mind” fit perfectly with her framework.

Susan really should be an inspiration to hyper empiricists and religious fundamentalists everywhere. Her willingness to bend, shift and rethink her ideas is crucial in my opinion. Pointing out and breaking down other peoples dogmas takes courage, but examining and breaking down your own dogmas takes humility.

CG stills by Zeitguised

Tags:empericismMemesreligionRichard DawkinsSusan BlackmoreVirusZeitguised