The human brain is a three pound mass of protoplasm that can contemplate such things as eternity. It can even contemplate itself contemplating eternity. But what happens when people sustain damage to specific parts of the brain? – Some hear colours, others can’t recognise faces, and others still have phantom pain in amputated limbs.
The prestigious and invitation-only TED (Technology Entertainment Design) conference is devoted to ideas worth spreading. In this video clip the eminent neurologist, V S Ramachandran gets a standing ovation as he holds his audience spellbound with fascinating examples of the brain's delusions. If you are interested in learning about the mind and the human brain this video clip is something you must make time for.
The prestigious and invitation-only TED (Technology Entertainment Design) conference is devoted to ideas worth spreading. In this video clip the eminent neurologist, V S Ramachandran gets a standing ovation as he holds his audience spellbound with fascinating examples of the brain's delusions. If you are interested in learning about the mind and the human brain this video clip is something you must make time for.
13 comments:
This is really... amazing. Quite crazy, but amazing nevertheless. The human mind is so vast, so complicated, that it is frightening.
Wow, I knew that the human mind was extremely complicated, but not to this level.
V.S Ramachandran has to be one smart man to have discovered the mirror solution to phantom arms. Truly genious!!!
The most important thing here to look at is,feedback that the brain receives.Let Me give you an example, if you are playing Cricket and you have to catch a ball, you will look at the ball and your brain will judge the time and speed the ball takes to reach to you, and send commands to your required muscles to do the job.This was the getting information and interpreting it bit.Now,If you miss the catch, the result will be that you dropped the catch.You might then receive a comment from the Captain saying, 'its ok, well tried'.This information will be registered in your brain as a feedback.So that next time you are required to catch a ball, you will perform better at it because your brain refers to the previous incidents mistakes and then decides how to react this time.This feedback also motivates you to perform better next time.
I think that its the Output and feedback which actually makes your brain believe that what is happening is happening!Whereas, in the video, the '$3 treament' is only related to feedback that you get,in this case its what you see.This makes your brain believe something that isnt really happening is happening, i.e., even though his phantom hand isnt moving he can see it moving because of the feedback he gets from looking at only the hand in the mirror which makes the brain think it is moving and thus that is registered in the brain and no pain is felt.
Sonal V.,
I like your comment. Very thoughtful. On a related note, it's very important to give people positive feedback - not just about studies and exams but about the small things people do in everyday life. As you say, positive feedback reinforces positive behaviour.
This video clip is amazing. V.S Ramachandran deserves nothing less than a standing ovation.
What interested me the most was the last example: synesthesia. It explained a lot to me.
I sort of always wondered what it meant when we say that someone was born with a god-given talent in the field of writing, or painting or such, while others weren't. Where did that "gift" or talent come from? This definately cleared things up for me.
On another note, this man's presentation skills are awe inspiring. He keeps you hooked throughout because he's accurate, he simplifies such complex things so that any average person can fully understand it. Extremely organized. And he's got a great sense of humor as well.
Definately one of the best videos I've seen thus far.
Genious. Very informative lecture. Even minds as young as ours were able to interpret this intense explanation about the infinity of the human mind. To realise that visual interpretation could affect a person on a whole other level is just beyond my interpretation!
This is amazing! I love this guy! It's so interesting to watch him because he's so informative in such an entertaining way!
If you think about it, what this video actually proves is that our mind has a mind of it's own!
Ha ha! Myra, excellent comment: "The mind has a mind of it's own" :)
It's actually quite true - in more ways than you realise!
WoW O_O
its highly fascinating to watch this man!
its even more fascinating when you realise that, you are using your own brain to explain your brain!
HAHA
the amygdala is a An almond-shaped neural structure in the anterior part of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum; intimately connected with the hypothalamus and the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus; as part of the limbic system it plays an important role in motivation and emotional behaviour
we may have not understood most of tht definition =P, but its what determines how you act around others!
and to also find out we all have synaesthesia in some way is amazing =D
that is truly captivating, it really makes me wonder how many more such syndromes and stuff exist within the human brain.
i never thought that someone with a phantom limb can over come the pain just by looking at their reflection of a normal limb -> that is just ingenious
at first i wasnt too keen on watching 20 minute long vids but now i cant wait for more lectures like these :P
thanks for these informative vids mr roberts :)
V.S Ramachandran makes you understand one most complicated topics in the world using everyday examples. His points made where brilliant and I really like the theories he talked about.
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