In Plain Language for the Lay Audience
Blindsight is a condition where people who are blind because of brain damage can still react to things they see, even though they don't know they can see them. This happens when the part of the brain that makes us aware of what we see is damaged, but other parts of the brain can still use visual information.
Even though people with blindsight say they are blind, their brain can still help them notice and react to things around them. They might avoid obstacles, recognize movements, or even guess people's emotions correctly, all without realizing they are seeing anything.
Blindsight shows us that seeing isn't just about being aware of what our eyes are showing us. It also involves different parts of the brain working together to process information and guide our actions, even if we aren't conscious of it. This condition helps scientists understand more about how our brain works and how it can process information in ways we don't always notice.
Blindsight and autism, while different, can offer interesting insights into how our brains handle sensory information. Here are some points to consider:
Subconscious Sensory Processing: In blindsight, people can respond to visual things they don't consciously see, showing that the brain processes sensory information without our awareness. Similarly, autistics might process sensory information differently, sometimes being unusually sensitive or not noticing things others might, which could be due to how their brain integrates and interprets sensory signals.
Visual Processing Differences in Autism: Autistics may respond to visual cues in unique ways, such as having different eye movement patterns or ways of perceiving social signals like facial expressions. While this isn't the same as blindsight, it suggests that their brains might handle visual information differently, possibly similar to how blindsight involves unconscious visual processing.
Awareness vs. Response to Sensory Input: In blindsight, there's a split between not being aware of visual information and still responding to it. In autism, there may be times when individuals are aware of sensory input but might not react to it in typical ways. This could be due to differences in attention or how they process sensory information.
Complex Brain Pathways: Both conditions highlight the intricate pathways our brains use to process sensory information. In blindsight, other brain areas help compensate for the loss of primary visual processing areas. In autism, there may be differences in brain connectivity and function that affect how sensory information is processed and perceived.
These observations help us appreciate the complexity and variety in how people experience and respond to the world around them
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https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1006050.
What is the Bystander Effect:
The bystander effect is a social phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help or intervene in an emergency situation when others are present. The presence of other people creates a diffusion of responsibility, leading individuals to assume that someone else will take action, resulting in reduced likelihood of any single person helping. This effect underscores the importance of social influence and diffusion of responsibility in decision-making during emergencies or situations where help is neededThe purpose of human existence is to seek meaning in the mysteries of life. - Hari Srinivasan
Background Introduction
This poem, "Aria of Aspirations," is an operatic ode dedicated to Daisy Soros and the late Paul Soros. Intermingled within this lyrical tapestry are cultural foreign language phrases contributed by the 2022 Fellows, epitomizing our global community bound together by shared dreams, aspirations and values. We celebrate individual stories, individual abilities and disabilities, while acknowledging the collective. The verses resonate with the unity, mentorship, and deep bonds fostered over the past year, all set against the backdrop of Verdi — a notable favorite of Daisy’s along with a nod to Daisy's cherished song, "La Vie en Rose" by Edith Piaf.Aria of Aspirations
In the powerful embrace of dawn's first light,
An aria begins, echoing the night.
Like Verdi's voices, in a crescendo bold,
Daisy, with Paul, your legacy retold.
From the depths of memory, notes we chose,
World painted in hues of La vie en rose.
An inspiring community, dreams taking flight,
Believing in the power of the New American right.
Andante tales from Nigeria's Ewi pride,
Bharatanatyam in India, vivace stride.
Syria's dancers, in Sufi whirling, they soar,
Calypso rhythms, Grenada's lively lore.
Germany's Deutsche Oper, largo and deep,
Polish opera's passion, allegro sweep.
Staccato tales of Russkaya, tales so vast,
Makossa beats in Cameroon, from the past.
Nanguan melodies in Taiwan, gentle and fine,
Mariachi strums, Mexico's vivacious line.
Zemer Ivri from Israel, tunes that enthrall,
Pakistan's Qawwali, a resonant call.
El Salvador's Cumbia, rhythm and song,
Congo's Soukous, where dance moves prolong.
Chinese opera's mask, legends of yore.
Vietnam's Ca trù, a haunting encore.
Romania's Doina, a melancholic strain.
England's classic ballads, tales that remain,
Uganda's Ndere, in rhythmic dance they weave,
Canada's vast beauty, where the maple leaves believe.
In unity, beyond borders, we soar,
Embracing abilities and disabilities, our spirit does roar.
For in this fellowship, we truly see,
The strength of inclusion, setting hearts free.
Daisy, our fellowship’s deepam, light,
Paul, in dolce memory, makes the night bright.
Apurbo, wonderful, with 2.5 decades decree,
Your combined legacies, a grand opera’s spree.
Cuando la oportunidad no te llama,
construye una puerta, is your panorama.
For every dream, an aria of our own.
In this vast libretto, aspirations grown.
Qui cherche trouve, in tales that we’ve planned.
Contrapunto contrasts, hand in hand
Yaar, friend, Fellows forge unyielding bonds,
Guided by mentorship, on which our growth dawns.
Al-nas lba'adah, together we stand,
With each note played, by your visionary hand.
In Verdi's coda, strong and profound,
Daisy, your strength and resilience resound
A reflection of past, largo’s embrace,
A celebration of futures, in allegro’s chase.
For in this grand opera, one thing is clear,
Through music and dreams, you've drawn us near.
A family, a friendship, presto and planned,
You invest in people, on this vast vast land.
With each passing year, our ensemble does grow,
In the name of love, letting dreams flow.
Classic and visionary, an aria’s play,
Daisy Soros, to you and Paul, our gratitude we convey.
For in every note, in each melody's strand,
Is the touch of your hearts, the warmth of your hand
Foreign Language Translations
Al-nas lba'adah (arabic): people are there to support each other
Apurbo (bengali): Wonderful /amazing
Cuando la oportunidad no te llama, construye una puerta (spanish): When opportunity doesn't knock, build a door
Deepam (tamil): Light
Qui cherche trouve (french): Who seeks, finds
Yaar (hindi): Friend
