TED: Can we create new senses for humans? | David Eagleman

The video explores human perception and its limitations, highlighting how our biology constrains our experience of reality. It discusses the concept of 'Umwelt' and how different animals perceive the world. The video then delves into how technology can expand human senses through sensory substitution and addition, using examples like artificial hearing and vision. It concludes by discussing future possibilities for sensory expansion, such as feeding real-time data into the brain and enhancing human experience through technology.

What fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum can humans perceive?

• Less than a trillionth

• More than half

• About a quarter

• Almost all of it

What is the term used to describe an animal's unique sensory world?

• Habitat

• Biosphere

• Umwelt

• Ecosystem

How does the brain process new sensory inputs from artificial devices?

• It rejects them

• It requires conscious effort

• It adapts and assigns meaning

• It ignores them

What is the significance of the 'pH model of evolution' mentioned in the talk?

• It emphasizes the importance of natural selection

• It suggests that the brain is a fixed structure

• It highlights the brain's ability to adapt to new inputs

• It focuses on the limitations of human biology

What is the purpose of the vibratory vest mentioned in the talk?

• To improve balance

• To translate sound into vibrations for the deaf

• To detect electromagnetic fields

• To enhance visual perception

What is the potential advantage of the brain port technology?

• It allows the blind to see through their tongue

• It is less effective than traditional methods

• It is more expensive than cochlear implants

• It requires invasive surgery

What is the main goal of sensory addition experiments?

• To reduce sensory overload

• To replace existing senses

• To develop new senses through technology

• To eliminate the need for sensory devices

How does the stock market experiment aim to expand human perception?

• By providing visual data

• By using auditory signals

• By enhancing tactile feedback

• By integrating real-time data into the brain

What is the potential benefit of integrating real-time data into human perception?

• It allows for faster decision-making

• It reduces the need for technology

• It simplifies complex data

• It enhances emotional responses

What is the main challenge in developing sensory addition technologies?

• High cost of implementation

• Lack of interest from scientists

• Understanding the brain's capacity for new data

• Limited technological advancements