Thread: I'd just like to mention Synesthesia.

Originally Posted by Maeni

I'm going to develop synesthesia.

You can't stop me!!

Hahaha unfortunately it's not that simple I wish it were, but yea

Meh, well, associating things to other things does make me remember it better, like making a story up or something.

Ofcourse it's not going to be real synesthesia, but it will still be much like it, weaker, but then it just needs training.

I'm determined I'll force myself to associate numbers to whatever from now on, and have already been doing it, and it is a bit hard so far.

If you don't think that's possible, tell me why please, or link something interesting for me to read. But don't prove me wrong, because I'm not in the mood for losing the chance. I hate being limited. And even more right now.

Originally Posted by Maeni

Meh, well, associating things to other things does make me remember it better, like making a story up or something.

Ofcourse it's not going to be real synesthesia, but it will still be much like it, weaker, but then it just needs training.

I'm determined I'll force myself to associate numbers to whatever from now on, and have already been doing it, and it is a bit hard so far.

If you don't think that's possible, tell me why please, or link something interesting for me to read. But don't prove me wrong, because I'm not in the mood for losing the chance. I hate being limited. And even more right now.

Well you asked me why, but then said you didn't want to be proven why. So if not, just stop reading now

Spoiler for *:

First of all I'm not even close to an expert. I've learned a little bit about it in my college's psychology courses and done some reading on my own since I found out that I have it. Synesthesia is an involuntary, 'durable' and constant experience (meaning that it lasts over years without changing) that appears to be genetic, and you'll often read about the 'crossed-wires' and that a predominant theory is that there is a neuronal basis for it. To a certain degree, yes, neuroplasticity can cause changes in the brain as a result of experiences, but I for one highly doubt you'd be able to make yourself synesthetic, or that it could be done through simple associations in your home. Maybe it's possible in a lab while you're monitoring the visual pathways and finding ways to elicit activation of V4/V8 in response to a specific word (or the particular equivalents depending on the form), then it seems like that would be a possible route to take in an attempt. I've read a few things about people trying pretty hard but failing, though of course there's always the chance that you will succeed This is far from 'proof' and I am far from an expert, so if you ever do achieve it get back to me so that I know it's worth the effort

Fun reading material: http://psyche.cs.monash.edu.au/v2/ps...0-cytowic.html
http://www.psych.ndsu.nodak.edu/mcco...nesthesia).pdf
http://www.pnas.org/content/99/6/4127.full.pdf+html

Originally Posted by Shift

Well you asked me why, but then said you didn't want to be proven why. So if not, just stop reading now

Spoiler for *:

First of all I'm not even close to an expert. I've learned a little bit about it in my college's psychology courses and done some reading on my own since I found out that I have it. Synesthesia is an involuntary, 'durable' and constant experience (meaning that it lasts over years without changing) that appears to be genetic, and you'll often read about the 'crossed-wires' and that a predominant theory is that there is a neuronal basis for it. To a certain degree, yes, neuroplasticity can cause changes in the brain as a result of experiences, but I for one highly doubt you'd be able to make yourself synesthetic, or that it could be done through simple associations in your home. Maybe it's possible in a lab while you're monitoring the visual pathways and finding ways to elicit activation of V4/V8 in response to a specific word (or the particular equivalents depending on the form), then it seems like that would be a possible route to take in an attempt. I've read a few things about people trying pretty hard but failing, though of course there's always the chance that you will succeed This is far from 'proof' and I am far from an expert, so if you ever do achieve it get back to me so that I know it's worth the effort

Fun reading material: http://psyche.cs.monash.edu.au/v2/ps...0-cytowic.html
http://www.psych.ndsu.nodak.edu/mcco...nesthesia).pdf
http://www.pnas.org/content/99/6/4127.full.pdf+html

Did you know ALL babies are synesthetic? Even those who grow up to betray us and 'go onto the other side'

If you're gonna have a kid, stimulate all their senses at the same time and see what they tell you. But YOU, sir (Maeni), are going to need to bombard your brain with all sorts of stimuli, and for a while, too!
That or just have the longest LD ever and make yourself synesthetic.
Or you could have a neurological revamp by stroke/seizure/radioactive toxin etc.

Well yah, maybe Lucid Dreams can be used for this.

I did read the spoiler, I was just in a bad mood yesterday, and didn't feel like being thrown farther down

But yeah, I'm gonna read some of those links.

Anyways, as I understand it, real Synesthesia
- does not happen consciously.
- happens all the time, constantly
- can be genetic

And my faked version of it would be
- happens on a conscious level
- happens only as long as I train it

But here's my little point!
A few months ago, I learned how to do thumbarounds (i regret that now ;_; )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdVVt...eature=related
A useless skill, but cool nontheless. At first, I had no idea how the hell to move my fingers to make that happen.

But now, I catch myself doing it during class, while surfing the net, heck, I even find myself doing it with other peoples things that have the right shape.
Most of the time I never notice picking up the pencil in the first place.
(I think I heard somewhere awareness might be slightly important in lucid dreaming... Go me.)

I believe this is what you call: a habit!
And that's what my Fake Synesthesia will basically be, a habit!

Trained to the point where I do it, but without consciously starting it.

Mmmhm.
Or a neurological revamp! Yay \o/
Maybe radioactive toxin isn't the safest way to induce homemade synesthesia... xD

We used to do pen-spinning at school with a small group

Why not fake synesthesia together? I'm in!

I am so jealous of you synesthesia peeps.
Now please excuse me as I bombard you with questions.
What kind do you have?
Have you read the book "A Mango-Shaped Space?" Is it accurate?
Is your icon how your name looks?
What color is Emily? ^_^

As far as how to use it in your dreams... Well maybe something isn't the right color or the absence of colors? That should trigger lucidity.
Interesting how it isn't easier to do a V-Wild, though.