We have devoted much time to concepts and examples surrounding Critical Thinking and Metacognition. We have also examined some fascinating brain research that connects the physical part of the brain to extraordinary, metaphysical and even philosophical phenomena. Based on the NOVA documentary, Secrets of the Mind, you may discuss any segment that you found most interesting and informative. Also state how/why that information was meaningful to you and to the core of thinking critically.
Jennifer M
ReplyDeleteI thought the whole movie was interesting. The part that was most interesting was when they talked about the amputies and how they could still feel their phantom arm because I took care of a patient who had an amputaed leg and he always said his right leg hurt even though it wasn't there. now I can understand better what he was talking about and how it was affecting him and why he thought he was haveing the pain. so to him it was really hurting and they tried everything to help him and it wouldn't help they couldn't get ride of what he was feeling or what he thought he felt.
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ReplyDeleteThe entire documentary was quite intriguing. The segment I found most interesting was the one where the amputee had a pain from his missing hand being cramped and the inability to open the hand. Dr. Ramachandran was able to resolve this by having the patient place his existing hand into a box containing a mirror and trick the brain into believing that both hands existed. The patient then stretched his hand and the cramp and pain that he felt from the missing hand disappeared. It was fascinating because the patient was aware of the tricky and therefore so was his brain. But yet, the brain was fooled.
ReplyDeleteI suffer from insomnia, but I prefer not to take the prescribed medicine. Instead I deceive my body into believing that I have indeed taken the medicine. All I do is focus on the color and shape of the pill, close my eyes and swallow and go to bed. While in bed, I think about how the medicine would make me feel and off to dreamland I go. While this tactic works the majority of the time, there have been occasions where I have no choice but to actually swallow the pill.
I think this proves not everything can be taken at face value. If one can dupe their own brain into believing a fallacy, then further investigation is warranted for much of the outside stimuli one experience in any given day.
I found the entire movie to be interesting. I am fascinated by the phantom body parts though. The way the brain works is way past my comprehension level. I find it interesting that the un affected brain can take over the phantom limb section of the brain. The man who felt relief from the mirror box was incredible. Ordinarilly, I would have said it was a farse, maybe a good media hype. But this film was very thorough in explaining how it worked.
ReplyDeleteThe man who suffered the seizures was different. I feel bad for his dad that he has to watch him suffer through the amount of seizures that he has. I find it unbelievable that the man doesn't want treatment, but then again it seems like the spiritual benefits are more beneficial than the medication for him.
I think that the movie was really interesting. I thought it was strange how when you arm was gone, they could still feel it. I couldn't believe how that could really happen like that. The person with the seizures also was another interesting part of the movie. I couldn't believe that they actually can cure themselves and make the person better again. I feel bad about both people but they have good stories to tell and they were really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI thought the NOVA special was vey interesting. Like most others that posted, I thought the amputee's with their phantom limbs was most fascinating. I also thought it was interesting that you can feel phantom pains or sensations in any part of the body. This was especially interesting to me because a little over a year ago I had a miscarriage in my 2nd trimester, and for quite awhile after I experienced the sensation of the baby moving inside my ueterus. I knew it was all in my head, and I don't feel that anymore, but it lasted for a good six months. The brain is such a complex organ that is capable of so many things that are seemingly impossible.
ReplyDeleteI thought each and every story was very interesting and the fact that the Dr. took time out to research each and every individual and the difference of their brain functions was quite fascinating. The phantom hand definately was interesting. The studies and the hard work Dr. R did to figure out each way these peoples brains functioned differently was commendable and hope that these studies continue on to help individuals understand what is going on with them.
ReplyDeleteThe phantom limb with the pain was the most interesting to me. I thought it was interesting on how the brain sort of adapts and compensates for something that isn't there. On a thought standpoint, the phenomena is like a mind over matter type of thing. If you can think it, it's possible. Also, the blind guy that could sense the motion was another interesting segment. What the mind is capable of is astounding. It hold everything, your memory, your thoughts, how to speak and innate things like breath and a heartbeat. When it comes to critically thinking it's like an exercise for your mind; getting out of your comfort zone to strengthen it. The people in the special hadn't a choice and their minds adapted to overcome their issues. It was fascinating to say the least.
ReplyDeleteThis movie was very interesting to me because I suffered from a traumatic brain injury when I was 17 from a car accident. So to see just how complex the brain actually is amazed me.
ReplyDeleteThe man who had the brain injury and thought his parents were imposters intrigued me the most. I think I was most fascinated by this story because I felt as though I could relate on some level. It's amazing to me how when the brain is injured it goes into a defense mode. In that man's case part of the sensory nerves were severed so he just could not put two and two together when he saw his parents, but when he heard them on the phone he knew exactly who they were.
I feel that this relates to critical thinking because sometimes we can't just see to believe. We need to do research or in some cases use other senses to "see" things.
I thought the video in class was very interesting. I would thought after a person loses an arm after an accident would feel pain soon after the accident occurred. It did not make any sense to me that a patient would have pain months after the accident. I learned alot from watching the video. When experts explained how the brain works, I had a better understanding of how the brain works.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the phantom amputees were most interesting to me because I did not know that the brain can stimulate pain, where there is no limb. There was a lady in the nursing home my grandmother used to be in and this lady would constantly scream “my leg hurts so bad somebody help.” Everybody knew she had an amputated limb from the knee down, and the nurses never paid her any attention. When I go into the nursing field and I encounter a patient like this I may suggest the box and mirror technique.
ReplyDeletethe topic about the phantom limbs makes alot of sense. The way you know what is going on when the limb is not really there. It's almost like the memeory can make feeling. That raises the question do we really feel or does our brain feel? This makes mr wonder about everything else we do in life. Are we really looking at the world or is our brains creating it as we percieve it.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that the patient that was missing a limb could still feel pain and I thought that it was amazing how the mirror box worked to take the pain away from the phantom limb. It is amazing how the brain works and I could not imagine the time and patients that this doctor had to do the reseach and take the time out to explore and help the patients. To me that was the best part of the documentary.
ReplyDeleteThe NOVA special was very informational and amusing. The man that lost his arm had the feelings that his arm was still there and could feel things still. It is amazing that this could happen to someone. The mirror effect was very effective on the way a person can perceive things. Also the man who thought is parents were really not them, I have heard of people suffering from that brain injury.
ReplyDeleteI thought the entire documentary was quite interesting. The part that peeked my attention the most was the phantom limbs. I never knew that after a limb was amputated a person could still feel pain in that area. I always thought that there was no feeling left with that area. I have heard of the doctor in these studies and he is by far one of the most intellectual human beings I have heard of. Another interesting aspect of the documentary was the young man who was in a car accident and believed that his parents were not really themselves. Although this is very sad, it is fascinating to know how our brains work and what can happen when there is trauma to the brain. That must have been hard for the patient as well as the parents to deal with this type of situation.
ReplyDeleteI thought the movie was interesting. It amazes me that the guy with no limb could still feel it, as if it was still there. I can not believe that that shadow box helped him. For me I do not think I would be able to stand it. It's like a piece of hair hitting your skin but don't see it. I know that bothers me a lot. Being you know it's there but can't find it. After awhile it gets annoying.
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