Virus of the Mind

Richard Brodie

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"Virus of the Mind" by Richard Brodie is a groundbreaking exploration of memetics, the study of ideas and how they spread in society. Brodie delves into the concept of a "mind virus," an infectious idea that can take hold and shape our thoughts and behavior.

In this concise and thought-provoking book, Brodie examines the power of memetics to explain the rise and fall of religions, popular trends, and even political movements. He argues that these mind viruses can be understood through their patterns, replication strategies, and persistence.

Brodie goes on to explain the various mechanisms by which mind viruses infect and replicate themselves, including how they tap into our emotions and exploit our cognitive biases. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and awareness to protect ourselves from becoming unwitting carriers of harmful ideas.

Drawing on examples ranging from cults to advertising, Brodie illustrates the potency and potential dangers of mind viruses. He presents a toolkit for analyzing and immunizing against these infectious ideas, empowering readers to break free from the confines of mind viruses and make informed choices.

"Virus of the Mind" offers readers a fascinating and accessible introduction to the field of memetics, shedding light on the pervasive influence of ideas in our lives. Brodie's careful analysis serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to question and challenge the ideas that shape their worldviews. This book is an invaluable resource for those interested in the power of ideas and the minds behind them.

Explore More Books

See All
Machine Learning for Dummies
The Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug
Arctica
Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens
The History of Money
Triumph Of The City
The Transit of Venus
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Live Your Truth
The Story of Civilization: The Renaissance
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Sunday Philosophy Club
The Wealth of Nations
The Cost Disease
Rational Ritual
The Last Lecture
The Half-Life of Facts
Am I Being Too Subtle?
It's Garry Shandling's Book
The Fault in Our Stars
The Qur'an
Build The Life You Want
Right Thing, Right Now
The Gallic Wars
Means Of Ascent
The Warburgs
A Father First
Cosmos
The Dream Machine
Brute
The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
The New Leadership Literacies
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics
War Nerd
A Gentleman in Moscow
Tiny Habits
Warren Buffett
The Creative Society
Master Of The Game
Prime Movers of Globalization
Buddha's Brain
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Too Dumb to Fail
Leapfrog
The Grid
The Serengeti Rules
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Catching the Big Fish
The Ascent of Money
Game Engine Black Book
How To Buy Stocks
The Art of Manipulation
Food and Nutrition
The Quiet American
Four Quartets
Netflixed
Notes From an Apocalypse
Prisoners of Geography
Awareness
Astrophysics for People In a Hurry
The Dice Man
The Happiness Hypothesis
The Upside of Inequality
The Fountainhead
The Individualists
Beyond Religion
Good Night, Little Bear
The Rape of Nanking
The Road
The Magic Of Reality
Swarm Troopers
Flying Start
The Money Game
Misbehaving
Not Zero
Homo Deus
The Tycoons
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
Ultralight Backpackin' Tips
The Precariat
The Lives of the Artists
The Road to Serfdom
Life in the English Country House
Batman
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Born Red
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Way of the Warrior Kid 3
Buffett
Napoleon
Play It Away
Stalin's War
For A New Liberty
Radical Acceptance
Competition Demystified
Who We Are and How We Got Here
Nine Pints
Civilisation
Army Of None