The neurons that shaped civilization

Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran outlines the fascinating functions of mirror neurons. Only recently discovered, these neurons allow us to learn complex social behaviors, some of which formed the foundations of human civilization as we know it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html

After talking a little about the biology of empathy and learning by imitation, he goes on to tie the biology in with some traditional mystical concepts. Maybe the most interesting part of the talk for me was when he revealed that if your arm is completely anesthetized and you see something happen to someone else's arm, you will actually feel it as though it happened to you.

neutralrobotboy wrote:...if your arm is completely anesthetized and you see something happen to someone else's arm, you will actually feel it as though it happened to you.

Though some of us get that sensation even without anesthesia...

- Sendoshin

<3 TED.

the wisdom of the body!