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Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme |  | Author: Richard Brodie
Publisher: Hay House
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.18
as of 11/8/2009 02:41 CST details
You Save: $12.77 (51%)
New (33) Used (15) from $11.87
Seller: Quetla
Rating:  78 reviews
Sales Rank: 4692
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1
ISBN: 1401924689
Dewey Decimal Number: 302
EAN: 9781401924683
ASIN: 1401924689
Publication Date: May 15, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Virus of the Mind is the first popular book devoted to the science of memetics, a controversial new field that transcends psychology, biology, anthropology, and cognitive science. Memetics is the science of memes, the invisible but very real DNA of human society.
In Virus of the Mind, Richard Brodie carefully builds on the work of scientists Richard Dawkins, Douglas Hofstadter, Daniel Dennett, and others who have become fascinated with memes and their potential impact on our lives. But Richard goes beyond science and dives into the meat of the issue: is the emergence of this new science going to have an impact on our lives like the emergence of atomic physics did in the Cold War? He would say the impact will be at least as great. While atomic bombs affect everybodys life, viruses of the mind touch lives in a more personal and more pernicious way.
Mind viruses have already infected governments, educational systems, and inner cities, leading to some of the most pervasive and troublesome problems of society today: youth gangs, the welfare cycle, the deterioration of the public schools, and ever-growing government bureaucracy.
Viruses of the mind are not a future worry: they are here with us now and are evolving to become better and better at their job of infecting us. The recent explosion of mass media and the information superhighway has made the earth a prime breeding ground for viruses of the mind.
Will there be a mental plague? Will only some of us survive with our free will intact? Richard Brodie weaves together science, ethics, and current events as he raises these and other very disturbing questions about memes.
Amazon.com Review
If you've ever wondered how and why people become robotically enslaved by advertising, religion, sexual fantasy, and cults, wonder no more. It's all because of "mind viruses," or "memes," and those who understand how to plant them into other's minds. This is the first truly accessible book about memes and how they make the world go 'round. Of course, like all good memes, the ideas in Brodie's book are double-edged swords. They can vaccinate against the effects of cognitive viruses, but could also be used by those seeking power to gain it even more effectively. If you don't want to be left behind in the coevolutionary arms race between infection and protection, read about memes.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 78
 Why are people so ignorant? October 27, 2009
Karen Yanhs
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
The picture on the cover and being introduced by Wayne Dyer on PBS convinced me this would be a good book to read so I purchased it. Only to realize that I have known this all along, and nothing really surprising about Virus of the Mind. The only thing I learned was the word "meme."
For someone like me, English is my third language. I realize how narrow people's perceptions are if English is your only language. It makes the people prime breeding ground for virus of the mind. If you learn a foreign language or even live in another country for a while, you will see the spreading of the virus through commercials, political ads, and even your friends.
To truly understand Brodie's book, I challenge those young or able enough to travel abroad and live there for at least several months. You will really come back and understand the insidious viruses here at home and the viruses abroad. It will open your eyes.
 TURN YOUR LIFE TO GREAT October 12, 2009
Roger L. Combs
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE TWO BOOKS DR.WAYNE DYER USES ON HIS TV SHOW AND IN HIS NEW BOOK CALLED EXCUSES BEGONE. HIS SHOW IS REPEATED A LOT ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING TV CHANNELS ACROSS THE NATION. THIS BOOK WILL SHOW YOU THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT YOUR BRAIN AND WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO, AND THINK AND FEEL AND BELIEVE WHAT WE DO, AND WONDER WHY WE ARE NOT HAPPY OR SATISFIED.
Viruses are spreading October 9, 2009
Colleen (San Rafael, CA)
If one wants to know how they are influenced by propaganda, ads, etc., this book shows you the answers.
Everyone should be informed how we are manipulated. Great book.
Wonderful Nikon 80 September 11, 2009
Betty J. Groblebe (Colorado)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I ordered this camera a few weeks ago and I love it, I had a Nikon SLR I bought back in 1984 and it was a great camera and still is but it was time to get a digital one, I haven't learned all about the new one but what I have learned is great, the pictures are wonderful, I am very happy and so glad I decided on it, I love Nikon anyway and this one is the best I have ever had and I will be using it in Europe in a few weeks.
Virus of the Mind September 11, 2009
L. Anderson
I have only just started this book, but I like it. It is easy to understant and doesn't get technical, so far.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 78
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