Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Great art = mind control?

David Heeger spoke at Penn last month. His research consisted of a lot of asking people questions or showing them pictures and seeing what portions of their brains responded with MRI. When he showed them movies by Alfred Hitchcock, the same regions of different people's brains tended to be simulated. Then he showed movies that aren't as well-done as Hitchcock's (not sure what he used, perhaps I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry?). The brain regions stimulated weren't as similar as they were before in different people . So basically, Hitchcock could film or write a scene so that people would notice the things he wanted them to notice. When you watch the movie, you are having the experience he wanted you to have. Unless your brain is vastly different.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you want to come over to watch North by Northwest and see if our brain waves synchronize? (Actually serious about the first half of that question.)

Anonymous said...

would Jewy be there to moderate?

Anonymous said...

If you think we need a moderator for a movie. Watching a movie requires no talking or eye contact, you know. Also, No Carbs Girl will be there and she is even jewier than Jewy. But, we should invite Jewy anyways.

craziasian said...

i am RIGHT HERE i can here you talking about me