Synesthesia: A film by Jonathan Fowler

Boing Boing presents a remix of "Synesthesia," a documentary directed by Jonathan Fowler (jonathan-fowler.com) about people whose senses blend, or mix. For instance: a synesthete might see colors when listening to music, or taste flavors when hearing a spoken word.

In this documentary, Dr. David Eagleman of Baylor College of Medicine explains this condition, and four synesthetes explain how they perceive the world.

The full-length version of this film was produced with support from The Research Channel (researchchannel.org), and is available for viewing on their website: http://tinyurl.com/lpluak

CREDITS: Directed & Produced by Jonathan Fowler. Cinematography by Rex Jones & Jonathan Fowler. Music by Moby & Olis.

Special thanks to ResearchChannel and Montana State University.

SPEAKERS:
* David Eagleman, Ph.D., neuroscientist, Baylor College of Medicine
* Marilynn Masten, synesthete
* Julia Cochran, synesthete
* Tiffany Gill, synesthete
* Sean Day, synesthete

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• synesthesia
• neuroscience
• neurology
• psychology
• brain
• science
• jonathan
• fowler
• documentary
• mind

[Seagerash]

Is it wrong to say that I want synesthesia?

[songbird3rmj]

I have it too! Or at least I think I do... every number and letter (sound) is associated with a certain color... and it has been this way every since I was little. I don't memorize phone numbers with the actual numbers... but with a string of colors lined up. For example, if it were the number "3472"--- "it would be magenta-light orange-purple-sea green".... it also helps me remember names....

[Jeffieboi]

@dessacorn

I have a similar type

1) Letters and numbers ALL have very distinctive colors for me

2) I can't say any of them have personalities

3) Songs have a color for me as well, however, a lot of the time....the color of the song is determined by the letters in the title

[Jeffieboi]

I can't even fathom how much life would suck if I woke up one day and didn't have Synesthesia. I would probably kill myself because it would be such a huge loss.

[sessehomaru99]

@Scottvison Why would you say "I suffer from this"? I have synaesthesia myself but I think rather than something you suffer from it should be something you enjoy :)

[tinyballedidiotta]

@Seagerash try acid!

[Scottvison]

I Suffer from this and i have a obsession with dulux color charts which with all the colors can create a really pleasurable feeling if you know what i mean. However i also see colors on people or numbers and how to interact with them. Its Amazing

[klutzygirl31]

Actually synesthesia may not be nearly as rare as believed. There are just very few documented cases (most likely because so little is known about this and people overlook the sensory associations they possess) For example, I know that I have grapheme to personality synesthesia. I've always had it. I personify numbers, its why math is and has always been my worst subject. I'm sure that if anyone puts serious thought into this, they'll find some form of synesthesia in their subconcious

[FanOfAwesomeness]

I thought everyone did that. I always though Monday was red, Tuesday was yellow, 3 is pink, 8 is red, 9 is brown-green. But I don't think I'm a synesthete. Its not instantaneous.

[divinati0n]

suddenly everyone on the internet has synesthesia

[cookiecrumble748]

i have synesthesia :)

[watcherofzideozeszz]

i with mine was stronger ...over a couple days i can actually make it stronger....sometimes its alot mor that other days and someone times i have to tell people to be quiet to i can see and there like wtf cuz sometimes it seeps into my normal vision

or watching something soundless and im like "omg that makes a really annoying noise!" and people are like ummm wut?

its funny