Echoes of Inquiry: A Reflection on Humanity
Find more of my poetry on my YouTube Channel and on this blog.
College Autism Summit
The Casio Lab and Wallace Lab booth at last month's college autism summit.
Both labs study Sensory System in Autism.
In layman's terms, the 2 labs study the internal and external sensory system respectively
The top photo shows Will doing the Rubber Hand Illusion with a conference attendee.
Carbo the touch robot is used to study touch amongst other things.
Inclusivity Mindset
Inclusivity isn’t a box to be checked, it’s a mindset to be embraced. Let’s approach each day, each decision, with the intent to foster spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued - Victor Pineda
Blindsight - Seeing Without Knowing It
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: Potential Connections
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
Versions of this post
Mixtape of Ambivalent Moods
(Verse 1)
In the morning light, I rise with a grin
In the morning light, I rise with a grin
Feelin' good vibes, let the day begin
But tired eyes weigh heavy, my mood starts to bend
Ambivalence kicks in, it's a battle to comprehend,
(Refrain)
(Refrain)
Life's a mixtape, tunes of joy and sorrow
Embracing the heat, a new track to borrow
(Verse 2)
(Verse 2)
Hot day on the horizon, the sun's gonna blaze
Yet my energy wavers in unpredictable ways
Between feeling alive and the need to rest
Ambivalent heartbeats in my chest, a daily test
(Refrain)
(Refrain)
Life's a mixtape, melodies in the sun's glow
Balancing today, uncertain where I'll go,
(Verse 3)
(Verse 3)
The heatwaves ripple, my mind's in a haze
Ambivalence lingers in these summer days
Feelin' good, feelin' tired, it's a delicate dance
In this ever-changing moment, I find my balance,
(Refrain)
(Refrain)
Life's a mixtape, rhythms in the summer air
With each rise and fall, I'll meet life's dare.
Alexithymia and Interoception
Alexithymia and interoception are intertwined aspects of emotional processing, yet they represent different dimensions of self-awareness.
Alexithymia characterizes individuals who struggle to recognize and articulate their emotions, often leading to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and emotional expression. On the other hand, interoception pertains to the awareness of internal bodily sensations, providing individuals with valuable information about their emotional states.
The ability to accurately interpret these internal cues is essential for emotional regulation and understanding. In the context of alexithymia, impaired interoceptive awareness can exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals, making it harder for them to connect their emotional experiences with physiological responses. Consequently, addressing both alexithymia and interoception is crucial in enhancing emotional intelligence and overall well-being.
And yes, both are issues seen in autism.
The Bystander Effect
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1006050.
This was interesting. we always think that autistics being less susceptible to illusions (McGurk etc), and therefore less capable of multisensory intergration, and this must be a deficit (negative) in the context of social interaction and society. Turns out that it is a positive for society when in comes down to fundamentals of basic humanity and compassion and helpfulness. (Less susceptible to bystander effect too.)
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 neededContemplation
The purpose of human existence is to seek meaning in the mysteries of life. - Hari Srinivasan
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