I was fascinated to learn how visual information sent on the old pathway is not experienced by us consciously but still, we could unconsciously respond based on that visual information. By explaining Capgras Syndrome, you revealed how important emotional response is while identifying people, especially those close to us.”Blind Sight” is another syndrome you describe in this chapter. The diagram you shared showcasing the feedback mechanism in a monkey’s brain made me wonder how complicated the feedback process would be in a human brain. But after reading this chapter I was overwhelmed to learn how complex the process is with different brain areas specializing in different aspects related to vision like motion, colour etc. The plastic nature of the Brain was clearly demonstrated by your studies.īefore reading the second chapter my idea about the human vision was the same as the one held by the “creation science” guy you mention in this chapter. You had beautifully explained it with the Penfield map and the markings on the patient’s face corresponding to each finger. Another interesting phenomenon you mention is how the sensory signals from the face area start invading the area meant for the phantom arm. It was astounding to learn how the brain rewires itself based on this simple visual feedback and how this rewiring leads to the disappearance of the pain/cramps or even the whole phantom.

It was ingenious how you devised a simple mirror box to visually trick the brain and resurrect the phantom. Even more intriguing was the fact that they feel chronic pain or cramps in their phantom. In the first chapter about phantom limbs, I was fascinated just by the fact that people could vividly feel the presence of their missing arm/leg even after it was amputated. I then read your book “The Tell-Tale Brain” and would like to share the wonderful experience I had in the course of reading your book. Biology was a subject that never interested me in my childhood but your passionate talk filled with interesting case studies kindled my interest in the brain and its workings. I then googled and watched your TED talk. Recently, in an interview, the famous Tamil writer Jeyamohan referred to you as “The Pride of India”.

The email I sent to Dr VS Ramachandran about his book “The Tell-Tale Brain”.

The tell tale brain by vs ramachandran