Comments on: How do the blind see in their dreams?

Question: How do the blind see in their dreams?

davebush — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:48:59 -0800

This has puzzled me for a long time. People who've been blind since birth - how can they dream images? Do they? Without a visual history for reference, how can it happen?

By: kimota

kimota — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:59:06 -0800

Cecil comes through again!

By: Stunt

Stunt — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:59:08 -0800

I don't know if you've seen this article on New Scientist (your question might have been inspired by it), but I came across this the other day and found it fascinating.

The article seems to cover that general question, focusing on a blind painter. I've always been interested in this myself, and certainly look forward to anyone else here who can provide some insight.

By: brheavy

brheavy — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:23:48 -0800

This piece by Oliver Sacks in the New Yorker was incredibly interesting. He details his experiences with how the blind visualize. Worth a read.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 18:40:49 -0800

This AMS article about blind mathematicians has a particular emphasis on geometry and topology and suggests that tactile input is another way of building the same kind of internal models that visual input builds. I had a hard time phrasing that, and am still not sure I got it entirely accurate.

http://www.ams.org/notices/200210/comm-morin.pdf

By: kreinsch

kreinsch — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:53:35 -0800

Not only that, but even people who have been blind from birth use hand gestures while speaking!
(The link is only so-so. I actually saw this on a science show on tv once.)

By: rooftop secrets

rooftop secrets — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 02:30:55 -0800

Glad someone asked. These articles made my night. Thanks all.

By: fourstar

fourstar — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 09:57:20 -0800

Wow, this is cool.

The New Scientist article about blind painter Esref Armagan led me to this gallery of his work. Really amazing stuff. I really like the one of a whale playing a stand up bass(?).