Can the brain automate processing of emotions for a blind man?

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A recent case involving 'patient X' highlights the brain's remarkable adaptability following strokes that caused complete blindness. Despite damage to areas responsible for visual processing, brain scans reveal that he utilizes a different part of the brain to interpret visual signals associated with emotions. This finding, published in the reputable journal Nature Neuroscience, suggests that the neural pathways for processing body language and facial expressions may differ from those that create direct visual imagery. The discussion also touches on broader implications regarding human consciousness, proposing that many actions typically attributed to conscious thought may actually stem from the brain's tendency to automate tasks for efficiency. This reflects a common belief among cognitive scientists about the brain's preference for minimizing conscious effort in routine activities.
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...The man, identified only as 'patient X', has suffered two strokes which damaged the brain areas that process visual signals, leaving him completely blind.

But his eyes and optic nerves are intact and brain scans show that he appears to somehow use a part of the brain not usually used for sight to process visual signals linked to some emotions. ...published in journal Nature Neuroscience... [continued]
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1263470.htm
 
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I read about it in a Russian Sci-Fi magazine, and disregarded it as baloney. I guess I was wrong.
 
It seems to be a credible report... I hope...
 
If it's published in Nature Neuroscience, it's credible. That's a top tier journal.
 
It sounds reasonable that the neurons that process body language and facial expression are different than those that produce direct imagery made up of lines and shapes and colors.

- Warren
 
is envy really green?
I'll bet love is orange
 
chroot said:
It sounds reasonable that the neurons that process body language and facial expression are different than those that produce direct imagery made up of lines and shapes and colors.

- Warren
This is similar to another thread about consciousness and humans: people aren't going to like it, but this suggests to me that a lot of what is normally attributed to human consciousness is, in fact, just the way our brains are wired. It shouldn't be surprising (I used the example of "highway hypnosis"), but people don't like the idea that most of what we do does not require conscious thought.

This has broad philosophical/spiritual implications.
 
Russ,

I think it's actually a common belief among cognitive scientists that the human brain actually strives to automate as much as possible. When you're learning to drive, the task requires continuous conscious control, which is tiring and uses up a lot of energy. As you learn to drive, the brain learns to automates more and more of the task, thus making more efficient use of resources. Your brain doesn't like to waste expensive conscious thought on tasks that can be easily automated.

- Warren
 

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