Credits By: Idea to Value
The Dress That Shook Reality: A Dive into Perceptual Diversity
In a world where shared perceptions seem fundamental to understanding, a viral sensation known as “The Dress” shattered this assumption in 2015. A single photograph of a dress ignited a debate about its color, with some seeing white and gold while others perceived it as blue and black. This phenomenon highlighted the complexity of perception and led to an exploration of the mind’s mechanisms. In Anil Seth’s thought-provoking book, “Being You,” he delves into the connection between subjective experience and biological processes within the brain and body. Seth contends that our sense of self emerges from the brain’s predictions and control over the body’s internal state.
Controlled Hallucinations: The Brain’s Predictive Power
The concept of prediction has gained traction in academic circles, notably in the works of Seth and philosopher Andy Clark. They refer to the brain’s predictions as “controlled hallucinations.” This idea suggests that the brain constantly constructs world models to explain and foresee incoming information. It adjusts these models when predictions deviate from sensory inputs, shaping our understanding of reality.
The Multifaceted Nature of Perception
Seth expands his insights beyond color perception to encompass all aspects of perception. He asserts that perceptual experience is a continuous creation and reconstruction of controlled hallucinations tied to reality. This perspective challenges the traditional notion of a fixed and objective reality. Seth’s engaging narrative employs a variety of optical illusions and demonstrations to underscore the complex nature of perception and the mind’s role in shaping it.
Bridging the Gap Between Senses: Stories of Acquiring New Senses
In “Coming to Our Senses,” Susan Barry delves into the intriguing tales of individuals who acquired new senses later in life. She shares the experiences of Liam McCoy, who gained improved vision after years of near-blindness, and Zohra Damji, who obtained hearing through a cochlear implant. Barry’s compassionate narrative explores the profound impact of these newfound senses on their perceptions and interactions with the world.
Navigating the Complexity of Sensory Transformation
Barry vividly describes how acquiring new senses challenges preconceptions and expands one’s understanding of the world. McCoy’s journey from blindness to sight unveils the complexities of perceiving visual information, from grasping three-dimensional landscapes to discerning individual objects. Damji’s transition from deafness to hearing provides insight into the intricate world of sound recognition and the emotional resonance of auditory experiences.
Intelligence Unveiled: Inductive and Approximation Bias
Samuel Gershman’s “What Makes Us Smart” introduces the core principles governing human intelligence: inductive bias and approximation bias. Gershman delves into the intricate interplay of these biases and their influence on human decision-making. He emphasizes that intelligence emerges as a response to the constraints of limited data and computational resources, shaping the multifaceted landscape of human cognition.
The Multitude of Cognitive Modules: A Raucous Committee of the Mind
Gershman offers a unique perspective on intelligence as a collective effort of cognitive modules that exchange limited information. He illustrates that our mind comprises various systems for learning and decision-making, leading to many processes unfolding in parallel. This view sheds light on the intricate dance of different mental modules orchestrating our thoughts and actions.
The Limitations of Self-Knowledge: Mind’s Enigma
Gershman’s exploration raises intriguing questions about self-awareness and self-knowledge. He contends that even introspective individuals struggle to comprehend the intricate workings of their minds. Zohra Damji’s realization of her potential when pushed out of her comfort zone echoes Gershman’s concept of the brain’s adaptability and continuous learning.
The intricacies of perception and intelligence come to life through these captivating narratives. From the kaleidoscope of controlled hallucinations shaping our perceptions to the transformative power of acquiring new senses, the journey through the realm of the mind unveils the enigma that continues to captivate scientists, philosophers, and curious minds alike.
