Synesthesia-Like Perception

I know we're past this section, but this article is very interesting: http://www.iflscience.com/brain/brain-training-can-teach-synesthesia-perception

Helping out Leo

1. Since Leo is in a hurry and doesn't want to spend money, he could call a friend to pick him up and give him a ride. 2. Leo might have to sacrifice hanging out with one of the girls after dinner in order to go back to his apartment with Lorenzo to work on the project. 3. Leo might have to break the law here and pick flowers from someone's private garden or a city park garden. Another option is that there might be a street vender who is selling flowers instead of a shop. 4. He should just quote Mr. Rogers. 5. If the bathroom has one of those hot air dryers he could use that to try and dry himself off. 6. He could use the wrench to tighten the the faucet or put the cardboard in the sink so that when the water drips it won't make as loud a sound. But if I were him, I would be concerned this lady carries around all this stuff and I would leave immediately.

Maybe vague descriptions are better for fiction than very scientific explanations

I've been doing some research for a novel I'm working on and decided to go hunting for the scientific reaction behind the familiar "lump in the throat" when people cry.

Apparently, it's a part of the fight or flight response that kicks in when the brain senses the negative emotions as a threat, sending the autonomic nervous system into overdrive. The autonomic nervous system sends a message to the lungs that says "WE NEED MORE AIR ASAP OR BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN", so the glottis swells up and covers the esophagus, preventing any excess air going into the stomach, and directs all oxygen/ carbon dioxide flow to and from the lungs via the trachea.

Naturally, the frontal cortex has evolved enough to recognize that the negative emotions that result in crying aren't a serious threat, so swallowing seems like the best solution to prevent crying, and simultaneously get rid of the "lump in the throat". Problem is, that "lump" isn't food, it's part of your throat, so you can't really swallow it. That would be cannibalism, and everybody knows where that landed poor Hannibal Lecter. Hurray for science! Also, that's why people start coughing when they try and swallow whilst also crying- more of the liquid goes into the lungs than the stomach. This means build up of fluid in the lungs, which means DANGER!!!!1!!!!1!!1!!! Potential death by drowning!!!! Therefore, coughing!

science is amazing


-Victoria

Language

Two interesting things related to our classes about language and communication.

After telling you, as an example, that usually when we share an elevator with strangers we either talk about the weather or try to look busy so to avoid conversation, I was proved to be wrong.

In the two days after the class I met three different people on the elevator: the first one gave me a very detailed report about her sleepless nights, the second one updated me about her fights with her brother (she is working on them), the third one told me everything about the last three meals of her (cute) dog.

Is this a Burlington effect? ;)

Since we discussed language and culture, following the link below you can read about some interesting (and fun) common Italian idiomatic expressions that make no sense in English:

http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-idioms-italians-understand/

Leo

Part 2

1.     Since Leo is running late and doesn’t want to buy or go back home for an umbrella he is in need of another option. If he is walking in the rain to get to their house it suggests that he is in a city of sorts and can either get a cab or take a subway if the option is there.  It will also get him there faster than walking and wont cost as much.

2.     Leo forgot his sketches and needs to do them tonight, so he can call Lorenzo and see if after their date they just want to go back to Leo’s place after and work on it.

3.     By forgetting flowers he could either have been lucky if Lorenzo brought them or he might be lucky enough to pick fresh flowers from a neighbors garden.

4.     If Leo is trying to impress her and show her that he is creative he can tell her that he works at an advertising agency and can talk about the project they are working on.

5.     Accidents happen Leo can just walk to the bathroom or the kitchen and grab a towel and quickly clean up the spill

6.     Leo could just take the wrench and tighten up the sink.  Or he can take either the pumpkin or the box and have the water drip into that. 

Do you love music?

http://www.spring.org.uk/2013/12/music-and-memory-5-awesome-new-psychology-studies.php

Just food for thought....

So because we were discussing psychology and the need for communication, I wanted to bring up the controversial subject of online therapy. There's a popular site, http://www.7cupsoftea.com, that allows people to talk to trained professionals about their problems. Does anyone feel that this is as effective as therapy in person? Some things to consider: Face to face of communication Anonymous chat