Magicians take advantage of glitches in the brain. They know that it constructs a model of the outside world from moment to moment and then refers to it as “objective reality.” Anyone is fooled by the rapid tilting of a spoon when it’s held by its neck and made to appear as if curving or bending without due provocation. The glitch this time is the disparity between end-stopped neurons in the visual cortex and other motion sensing cells. The edges of the spoon are then warped, and our estimation of where they lie results in an objective reality that is untrue.
I got the bit about the visual cortex from a recent New York Times article titled While a Magician Works, the Mind Does the Tricks. I know it’s been linked on this board somewhere and yes, I used the search function - but I can’t find it. I know that someone will, given the generosity inherent to Soma Simple. I would also like to point out that my apparent skill at computer manipulation is yet another illusion.
When I read the thing about the edges of the spoon my mind turned to a very famous line from the movie The Matrix – There is no spoon. Google that and see where it takes you.
I’m beginning this thread today because I know that many clinicians seek a demarcation when either none exists or, because our brain is a kluge, we cannot accurately perceive it.
Two “edges” we would like to see and define with descriptions that lead to some assurance are those between acute and chronic pain and peripheral and central mechanisms leading to the output of pain from the brain itself. A discussion regarding these terms and what we now know about their confusing and counterproductive affect on practice should follow and draw interest toward some other threads here I have found wonderfully illuminating.
I’ve some more ideas, but, as always, I’m interested in yours.
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