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brains illusions

Given that so much of the human experience is built upon illusion, what does this say for what it means to be human? In his talk, Eagleman pointed out that the brain is more like a parliament than a monarchy. And the “you” that you perceive to be in the driver’s seat is but one voting member of a larger assembly. The self is, in a very real way, an illusion. Most of the neural computations that comprise each of “your” behaviors and “your” experiences occur below the level of conscious awareness. Imagine, Eagleman said, that a computer gained autonomous control over each of its peripheral devices, ripped the cover off of the tower, and pointed the webcam at the circuits and wires inside. This, essentially, has described much of the human scientific endeavour. And we’re the only species that does this. We are the only species that is obsessed with its own purpose and origins. We’re the only species (contrary to some accounts) that gets together to discuss the nuances of what it means to be us. Perhaps this, precisely, is what it means to be human.

illusions human-nature

from Boing Boing

illusions self-awareness

"These pages demonstrate visual phenomena, and »optical« or »visual illusions«. The latter is more appropriate, because most effects have their basis in the visual pathway, not in the optics of the eye. When I find the time I will expand the explanations, to the degree that these phenomena are really understood; any nice and thoughtful comment welcome."

illusions science psychology

illusions

"In the current issue of the journal Cognitive Science, researchers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Sussex argue that the brain’s adaptive ability to see into the near future creates many common illusions." (NYTimes.com)

illusions brain neuroscience grue