Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, lecturer and writer best known for her book The Meme Machine (1999) and the textbook Consciousness: An Introduction (4th Edition 2024 with her daughter Emily Troscianko). She is a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth , UK. Her research interests includes memes , evolutionary theory, consciousness , NDEs , OBEs , free will , lucid dreams , sleep paralysis , drugs, psychedelics , spirituality and meditation . She has written more than sixty academic papers, a hundred contributions to books, and her work has been translated into twenty other languages. She has practiced Zen for forty years and plays in a samba band. Susan Blackmore shares her journey into the exploration of consciousness, beginning with a profound experience in her youth. She discusses her evolving thoughts on memes as a crucial element of human consciousness, the impact of technology on cultural evolution, and the implications of AI as a new replicator. Blackmore emphasizes the importance of contemplative practices in understanding the illusion of self and explores predictive processing theory as a potential framework for consciousness. The conversation also touches on her writing process and the challenges of articulating complex ideas. Chapters 08:56 The Journey into Consciousness 12:45 Exploring Memes and Cultural Evolution 20:19 The Impact of Technology on Memes 25:59 AI and Its Implications for Humanity 32:00 The Importance of Stillness in a Fast-Paced World 32:53 Exploring the Illusion of Self 40:12 Predictive Processing Theory and Consciousness 50:49 Consciousness in Simple Systems 55:47 The Writing Process and Inspiration 01:03:37 ryan exit no music - 10:24:25, 2.28 PM.mp3 01:03:51 083 Reality.mp3 https://www.susanblackmore.uk/ Connect with Ryan Anderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awonderjunkie/ awonderjunkie.com Breathe4Flow.com Rumble https://rumble.com/user/awonderjunkie Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@awonderjunkie iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-wondejunkie/id1739838765 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1CcQXpxfV9P89IrKmtV2hS?si=6519a88aef444ba0 Incandescent lighting https://strainlesslighting.com/ 10% off use the code “WONDER” at checkout. Keywords consciousness, memes, AI, predictive processing, self, meditation, cultural evolution, digital replicators, philosophy, Susan Blackmore, Genes, Evolutionary psychology, mindfulness, zen, psychedelics, psychedelic science, Neuroscience, depth psychology,
