cover of episode Dr Susan Blackmore - Adventures in Zen, Parapsychology & Consciousness

Dr Susan Blackmore - Adventures in Zen, Parapsychology & Consciousness

2018/9/6
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The Weekend University

Shownotes Transcript

Dr Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, lecturer and writer researching consciousness, memes, and anomalous experiences, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth.

Susan is a TED lecturer, blogs for the Guardian, and often appears on radio and television. The Meme Machine (1999) has been translated into 16 other languages; more recent books include Conversations on Consciousness (2005), Zen and the Art of Consciousness (2011), Seeing Myself: The new science of out-of-body experiences (2017) and a textbook Consciousness: An Introduction.

In this interview, we discuss:

  • Why Sue turned down a career as a doctor to become a psychologist
  • Her early years as a parapsychologist, research into telepathy, ESP, haunted houses and poltergeist
  • Susan's advice for those considering a scientific career and the importance of being able to change your mind
  • How Sue uses zen practices to solve difficult problems
  • Susan's views on free will, William James and the power of letting things happen

Connect with Susan:

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