The Very Short Introductions Podcast Synaesthesia – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 12
Nov 19, 2020
Julia Simner, a neuropsychologist at the University of Sussex, discusses the fascinating world of synesthesia, where senses intertwine in extraordinary ways. She shares her early encounters with this condition during her studies and explains fascinating subtypes like word-taste and sound-color synesthesia. Julia highlights brain differences in synesthetes and elaborates on how this condition can affect creativity and childhood development. Through her insights, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for this rare sensory experience.
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Senses Can Merge Into Vivid Cross-Perceptions
- Synaesthesia causes a merging of senses so triggers in one sense evoke experiences in another sense.
- These cross-sensory experiences are vivid, consistent, and part of normal variation in perception.
How Julia First Met Synesthesia
- Julia first encountered synesthesia via a 1994 notice board query about letters and numbers in colour.
- She later studied James Wanerton who experiences tastes for words, showing real systematic associations.
James Wanerton Tastes Words
- James Wanerton tastes words and experiences names like 'Julia' as orange sweets.
- Tests showed his associations are systematic and traceable to brain activity.
