Monday, February 25, 2013

Mindblowing Limits of Language & Perception


There are a few Youtube channels about science that I am subscribed to and the subject matter they discuss in their videos is astounding. Vsauce, is one of 3 different Vsauce Youtube channels; this one in particular discusses science and mind blowing fact.  In Vsauce: Is My Red The Same As Your Red?,  the host talks about perception of color and the senses & animals’ ability to communicate.
Humans face massive language barriers when it comes to describing what sensations like pain and fear. We can explain all the processes that occur within the body the moment we feel something, but we fail in our ability to explain the feeling of that feeling, without the use of another feeling.
 The second half of his video talks about the extend in which animals copy human communication, such as using sign language or solving simple math to treats. The host makes a pretty interesting point about these animals, but I don’t want to spoil too much of the video.
 Throughout the video, my thoughts kept pacing between Aristotle and Bacon. (I suggest watching the video before reading this part). Bacon blames our lack of a sophisticated vocabulary is due to idols of the marketplace. We used jargon that is dumbed down as we associate with each other, and our ability to understand and describe and understand nature suffers. “Qualia” seems to be an example of where every human being falls victim to this idol. According to Aristotle, actions in the natural world are ordered and occur with a reason; an end that each living thing aims to reach. There is no chance, so as animals learn language, even to a limited extent, do you think this barrier between man and creature is bound to break some day? Is this another end animals will soon reach?

I hope you enjoy the video and subscribe!

No comments:

Post a Comment