MetaFilter posts tagged with brain and perception

the power and beauty of mathematics

kliuless — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 09:14:26 -0800

An eternity of infinities (via) "The comparison of infinities is simple to understand and is a fantastic device for introducing children to the wonders of mathematics. It drives home the essential weirdness of the mathematical universe and raises penetrating questions not only about the nature of this universe but about the nature of the human mind that can comprehend it. One of the biggest questions concerns the nature of reality itself. Physics has also revealed counter-intuitive truths about the universe like the curvature of space-time, the duality of waves and particles and the spooky phenomenon of entanglement, but these truths undoubtedly have a real existence as observed through exhaustive experimentation. But what do the bizarre truths revealed by mathematics actually mean? Unlike the truths of physics they can't exactly be touched and seen. Can some of these such as the perceived differences between two kinds of infinities simply be a function of human perception, or do these truths point to an objective reality 'out there'? If they are only a function of human perception, what is it exactly in the structure of the brain that makes such wondrous creations possible? In the twenty-first century when neuroscience promises to reveal more of the brain than was ever possible, the investigation of mathematical understanding could prove to be profoundly significant."

A Watched Clock Never Moves

gilrain — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:50:25 -0800

Have you ever wondered why you don't see motion blur when your eyes flick to a new position? Why, if you sit in front of a mirror and watch yourself, you never see your eyes move? That is saccadic masking, one of the lies your brain tells to avoid confusing you. Have you noticed that the first tick after glancing at a clock with a second hand can take more than one second? No, it's not just you! That's a related phenomenon called chronostasis, or more commonly the stopped clock illusion.

The Soul Niche

0bvious — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:46:10 -0800

Swimming around in a mixture of language and matter, humans occupy a particular evolutionary niche mediated by something we call 'consciousness'. To Professor Nicholas Humphrey we're made up of "soul dust": "a kind of theatre... an entertainment which we put on for ourselves inside our own heads." But just as that theatre is directed by the relationship between language and matter, it is also undermined by it. It all depends how you think it.

Believing is seeing, seeing is hearing

philipy — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:00:14 -0800

Is seeing believing? BBC Horizon looks at sensory perception, illusions and the interplay of our different senses. (Full program for UK viewers here). Makes you feel like you've entered The Twilight Zone. It turns out that pretty often believing is seeing, that what you see can completely alter what you hear, that trained chefs totally misidentify food tastes when the color cues are wrong, and hearing different sounds piped through headsets can make food feel crispier or less crisp in their mouths. If you can watch the whole show, there are many fascinating and funny examples of how senses and perception don't work the way that most of us thought. And there's a blind guy that rides a bicycle while sensing his surroundings bat-like via echolocation.

The Body Swap Illusion

homunculus — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:18:25 -0800

If I Were You: Perceptual Illusion of Body Swapping. Expanding on previous experiments, researchers discover how to induce a "body-swap" illusion, whereby subjects perceive the body of another as if it were their own.

Video Ergo Sum

homunculus — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:31:50 -0800

Virtual Out-of-Body Experience. Using two procedures to deliberately scramble a person's visual and tactile senses, neuroscientists are able to induce "out-of-body" experiences in people. The effect is the same as the 'rubber hand illusion', but extends the effect to the whole body instead of just one limb (you can try the hand illusion for yourself).

Switching off self-awareness

0bvious — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:16:23 -0800

Researchers have found that prolonged concentration on a difficult task actually switches off a person's self awareness. Fancy experiencing this sensation for yourself? That would be an oxymoron in existence. Just lay back and let the orgasm take hold.

This so called reality

0bvious — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 01:38:08 -0800

If the universe is a hologram and the healthy human brain a valve of consciousness then where'd this mental infinity come from? Are we simply living the simulacrum? Or does Pi protect us all, forever, infinitely?

Brain tricks

jeremy — Fri, 21 May 2004 12:30:05 -0800

Red and green dots have never been so interesting. At least to a geek like me. I love it when my brain plays tricks on me.

Sensestage

Gyan — Sun, 25 Apr 2004 11:11:51 -0800

The maps of perception.
2nd link: java applet.

Enjoy the plasticity of your brain!

ikalliom — Sat, 10 Apr 2004 10:51:13 -0800

The McCollough effect is a visual illusion somewhat similar to regular color aftereffects, but the working mechanism is different, and despite a wealth of theories, not entirely explained. Once the effect is established, it does not seem to go away and can last for days or even weeks. Proceed at your own risk.