This week we have been discussing the mind and the body and its interactions with each. At the beginning of the week, I had difficulty perceiving the mind as a mysterious thing. But after discussing the different theories of the mind and body I have grown to realize that there are many things that science cannot explain, such as the internal monologue/thoughts within each of us. Although this has been difficult for me to fully grasp, it has been an interesting question to ponder.
Back on the science note, there have been many miraculous things in science that have enhanced peoples lives involving their senses. For example, in the link provided, Neil Harbisson was bon with greyscale vision, but with the attachment of an electrical device that sends signals to his brain, he can hear the frequencies of colors, and thus identify them. This video is very interesting because his perception of color is through sound, and sometimes his perception of sound causes him to see/think of a color. He can listen to paintings. It is interesting to wonder that if I had that device as well if I would perceive color and sound the same as he would.
When we were discussing “What Mary Didn’t Know” in class, I commented that without having ever seen color, Mary wouldn’t have any clue or any concept of color. That is, one could show Mary a picture of a rainbow, but she would have no notion and no ability to imagine what the rainbow is supposed to look like. This video, however, seems to challenge that thought. If Neil Harbisson has greyscale vision and has never seen color, how is it that he can see/think of a color? He stated in the video that soon after having the ability to detect color with frequency, he began to dream in color. Harbisson’s testimony is really perplexing to me. It seems to suggest that the concept of color and the ability to visualize a color is not learned, which is not consistent with what most other studies say.
I think that both of you bring up really interesting points. I am not sure that he would perceive colors the same way as us. I think that a big part of color perception is our brain stimulation. Because the auditory part of his brain is stimulated (and not the visual), I would think that his perception is different. However, in response to Megan’s comment, I think that perceiving colors is something that most brains have the capacity to do. Although the “wires”/pathway that allows for color perception to occur may have been incomplete in Neil Harbisson (the speaker), he may still possess the basic structure that allow for color vision. In other words, his antenna apparatus may connect parts of his brain and serve as the missing link to perceive color, even if it is not in the same way as most people.
I am so glad you included the Ted talk video, it was so interesting! I agree with the above points. While he hears color and can identify different colors, he will probably never experience color the way we do: by seeing it. That being said, we probably will never experience color the way he does: by hearing it. He knows more about color than I ever will, based on frequencies and sounds, but he hasn’t had the full visual experience.