Annaka Harris

So there's an area of science, of neuroscience. It started with something called sensory substitution. David Eagleman, again, the neuroscientist, was very involved in this work at Stanford and some others. And sensory substitution, you may have heard of some of these devices that have been developed for people who are blind or deaf.

So there's an area of science, of neuroscience. It started with something called sensory substitution. David Eagleman, again, the neuroscientist, was very involved in this work at Stanford and some others. And sensory substitution, you may have heard of some of these devices that have been developed for people who are blind or deaf.

So there's an area of science, of neuroscience. It started with something called sensory substitution. David Eagleman, again, the neuroscientist, was very involved in this work at Stanford and some others. And sensory substitution, you may have heard of some of these devices that have been developed for people who are blind or deaf.

And for the blind, originally they created something called a brain port. And this was like a popsicle like thing that sits on the tongue and delivers electro tactile signals based on a camera that's worn like on a headband. So it's receiving the visual input and then it translates that into electro tactile signals on the tongue.

And for the blind, originally they created something called a brain port. And this was like a popsicle like thing that sits on the tongue and delivers electro tactile signals based on a camera that's worn like on a headband. So it's receiving the visual input and then it translates that into electro tactile signals on the tongue.

And for the blind, originally they created something called a brain port. And this was like a popsicle like thing that sits on the tongue and delivers electro tactile signals based on a camera that's worn like on a headband. So it's receiving the visual input and then it translates that into electro tactile signals on the tongue.

What's so interesting about the brain is, you know, at first the participants, they use these and they're just getting a buzzing sensation. It means nothing to them. I think over a little bit of time, they start to notice patterns and it starts to feel like they, oh, like when I'm getting close to a wall, I kind of feel this on my tongue.

What's so interesting about the brain is, you know, at first the participants, they use these and they're just getting a buzzing sensation. It means nothing to them. I think over a little bit of time, they start to notice patterns and it starts to feel like they, oh, like when I'm getting close to a wall, I kind of feel this on my tongue.

What's so interesting about the brain is, you know, at first the participants, they use these and they're just getting a buzzing sensation. It means nothing to them. I think over a little bit of time, they start to notice patterns and it starts to feel like they, oh, like when I'm getting close to a wall, I kind of feel this on my tongue.

But eventually, it's usually about six to eight weeks in of using a device like this. The brain converts to intuitive way of experiencing. And so people are able to use something like a brain port over time. And they're no longer feeling electro-tactile signals on the tongue. It's no longer about the tongue.

But eventually, it's usually about six to eight weeks in of using a device like this. The brain converts to intuitive way of experiencing. And so people are able to use something like a brain port over time. And they're no longer feeling electro-tactile signals on the tongue. It's no longer about the tongue.

But eventually, it's usually about six to eight weeks in of using a device like this. The brain converts to intuitive way of experiencing. And so people are able to use something like a brain port over time. And they're no longer feeling electro-tactile signals on the tongue. It's no longer about the tongue.

Their brain is actually giving them a map of their external world based on this information. So they can shoot hoops. They can walk through mazes.

Their brain is actually giving them a map of their external world based on this information. So they can shoot hoops. They can walk through mazes.

Their brain is actually giving them a map of their external world based on this information. So they can shoot hoops. They can walk through mazes.

Yeah. David Eagleman gives a great TED Talk on this if anyone in your audience wants to check it out. And he actually then goes on to talk about sensory addition in that talk, which is kind of the natural progression of this. give these tools to people who couldn't see, they realized maybe we can tap into other things that, you know, why just light waves?

Yeah. David Eagleman gives a great TED Talk on this if anyone in your audience wants to check it out. And he actually then goes on to talk about sensory addition in that talk, which is kind of the natural progression of this. give these tools to people who couldn't see, they realized maybe we can tap into other things that, you know, why just light waves?

Yeah. David Eagleman gives a great TED Talk on this if anyone in your audience wants to check it out. And he actually then goes on to talk about sensory addition in that talk, which is kind of the natural progression of this. give these tools to people who couldn't see, they realized maybe we can tap into other things that, you know, why just light waves?

Why not other things in our environment that we don't perceive? And maybe the brain can interpret those signals as well. And so one of these studies was to try to give participants an experience of the Earth's magnetic field. This was a belt they devised. So it was a belt that went all the way around the body and had electrotactile signals all around. And

Why not other things in our environment that we don't perceive? And maybe the brain can interpret those signals as well. And so one of these studies was to try to give participants an experience of the Earth's magnetic field. This was a belt they devised. So it was a belt that went all the way around the body and had electrotactile signals all around. And