Scientists prove blind people can 'see' with sixth sense

The Scotsman ^ | 1 Nov 2005 | Rhiannon Edward

[JRios1968]

THE uncanny ability of blind people to "sense" unseen objects has been demonstrated for the first time in sighted volunteers whose vision was blanked out by scientists.

The findings suggest "blindsight", which has been observed in blind people whose eyes function normally but who have suffered damage to the brain's visual centre, is a real and not imagined phenomenon.

In tests, the blind have been able to distinguish basic shapes of objects they cannot see, as well as their orientation and direction of motion. On other occasions a blind person has reported experiencing a "feeling" that an object is present, while not being able to see it.

[JRios1968]

I don't think they refer to this:

[djf]

I always thought it was lame that they come up with the "5 senses" bs.
There's gotta be alot more than just 5. Sense of temperature, sense of balance, sense of time, sense of motion.

[seastay]

"Scientists from the University of Houston in Texas, temporarily blinded a group of 12 volunteers by using an
electromagnetic field to shut down the primary visual cortex. "

Were these people nuts? do not try this at home!

[JRios1968]

There's gotta be alot more than just 5. Sense of temperature, sense of balance, sense of time, sense of motion.

"And sense of style!!!!"

[JRios1968]

I hope they paid them well...

[metmom]

I wouldn't take the chance that it was temporary. How'd they know it wouldn't be permanent? A blindfold could've done the job.

[metmom]

It said they were volunteers! You couldn't pay me enough to do it that way.

[Delta 21]

Third Eye Chakra Bump

[geopyg]

I saw on tv awhile back a blind guy that does "echolocation" or whatever its called. He makes various cliking noises and hears the echoes. It was pretty amazing. Pointed to a tree 20' away, the camera's light reflector sheet ("broad thin material") and "a pole of some sort a few feet away" (light boom - 1 to 2" in dia). He teaches other deaf people how to do it (and they had them on the show too).

[calrighty]

Sense of Fagdom? Hey, new word!

[Northern Alliance]

There is so much we do not know.

[endthematrix]

There's a mad scientist in Canada that does some crazy stuff with electromagnets to the brain. It manipulates all fields of consciences. Its called the "God helmet" because of the supernatural sensations that occur tot he subject.

And who thinks brainwashing isn't a science?

[djf]

Wow! Real life bat Man.

I guess you can't really lump that in with hearing.

I mentioned time because it's really amazing, I don't have a fixed schedule.

But nine times out of ten, when I wake up, I know what time it is within about ten minutes.

The way I know if I really got a good sleep is if I wake up and don't have not the smallest clue what time it is.

[freepatriot32]

hmm maybe someone should tellthis asshalf about this story Blind Marksman Says Gun Permitting Too Lax

[tophat9000]

The findings suggest "blindsight", which has been observed in blind people whose eyes function normally but who have suffered damage to the brain's visual centre, is a real and not imagined phenomenon.

I can "see" (no pun intended) some logic in this..if the eyes still process and can feed the info to brain but the brain's visual centre can't process it to normal sight you still might perceive some kind of non visual impression

Phantom feeling in an amputee is some time just a mirror echo of the remaining limb to the amputated side, kind of a brain crosstalk

[endthematrix]

There is plenty we do know.

It's called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and the military (DARPA) is all over it.

[Caesar Soze]

There's something like nine human senses. Touch, smell, sight, hearing, taste, nociception (pain), equilibrium, kinesthesia (location of your body parts), and temperature, IIRC.

[MPJackal]

"I saw on tv awhile back a blind guy that does "echolocation" or whatever its called"

I saw that too. Ben Afleck in Daredevil. His finest work.

[glorgau]

It's probably echo location going on. For instance, hi end headphone amplifiers have circuitry built in to produce the sound delay that comes from different location of speakers - i.e the time it takes for sound to get from one side of your head to the other. This allows more "head space" - the ability to note the location of instrument on the sound stage. I'm sure this same thing is going on when people have their eyes closed and ears open.