I had never heard of musical hallucinations until I started reading Musicophilia. I guess I've heard of people who claim to hear choirs of angels, but I, like them, thought this was some signification that they were chosen of God or spiritually blessed. Musical hallucinations, however, are neurological. They have nothing to do with divine signification and everything to do with skiwampus neurological pathways.
Musicophilia is written by renowned neurosurgeon Oliver Sacks, made famous by his earlier book Awakenings. In fact, if you've never seen the movie, I highly recommend it. It's a true story featuring Robert de Niro and Robin Williams. I loved it the first time I saw it, and now that I'm enthralled with the brain, and our relatively pygmy understanding of it, I relish it even more. Witnessing the radical transformation of the lives of the patients who received the miracle drug L-dopa, gets me excited for the day when we have eradicated all forms of brain disease.
But, back to the book. . . I'm learning once again that when people can't explain something scientifically, they create their own explanation. Understanding is a basic human need. We must make sense of our world. Religion, myth, story, are all attempts to explain that which we don't understand.
Now that we know those who hear music in their heads are not extra special spiritual beings (although they may indeed be), they are simply human beings experiencing the effects of a dysfunctional, diseased or bored brain.
Certainly, believing Poseidon controlled the seas might be more exciting to teach your children than explaining tides, atmospheric pressure, and other scientific laws, but which explanation is really more empowering? Frankly, I prefer understanding laws. Laws are liberating. Believe that violent storms are caused by an angry God of the Sea, and you could feel very distressed when you can't figure out what you did to cause the Gods to destroy your home. Understanding that atmospheric pressure has dropped, or an earthquake across the coast caused a Tsunami to pound your coast and destroy your village, is much more liberating than thinking you need to sacrifice your firstborn son to appease the Gods or hunt out the resident witch who brought these cursings upon your village.
Religion, myth, and stories, perhaps they serve a purpose for some, but for me, I'm a fan of science. I want truth, not speculation. Facts, not fancy!
Musicophilia is written by renowned neurosurgeon Oliver Sacks, made famous by his earlier book Awakenings. In fact, if you've never seen the movie, I highly recommend it. It's a true story featuring Robert de Niro and Robin Williams. I loved it the first time I saw it, and now that I'm enthralled with the brain, and our relatively pygmy understanding of it, I relish it even more. Witnessing the radical transformation of the lives of the patients who received the miracle drug L-dopa, gets me excited for the day when we have eradicated all forms of brain disease.
But, back to the book. . . I'm learning once again that when people can't explain something scientifically, they create their own explanation. Understanding is a basic human need. We must make sense of our world. Religion, myth, story, are all attempts to explain that which we don't understand.
Now that we know those who hear music in their heads are not extra special spiritual beings (although they may indeed be), they are simply human beings experiencing the effects of a dysfunctional, diseased or bored brain.
Certainly, believing Poseidon controlled the seas might be more exciting to teach your children than explaining tides, atmospheric pressure, and other scientific laws, but which explanation is really more empowering? Frankly, I prefer understanding laws. Laws are liberating. Believe that violent storms are caused by an angry God of the Sea, and you could feel very distressed when you can't figure out what you did to cause the Gods to destroy your home. Understanding that atmospheric pressure has dropped, or an earthquake across the coast caused a Tsunami to pound your coast and destroy your village, is much more liberating than thinking you need to sacrifice your firstborn son to appease the Gods or hunt out the resident witch who brought these cursings upon your village.
Religion, myth, and stories, perhaps they serve a purpose for some, but for me, I'm a fan of science. I want truth, not speculation. Facts, not fancy!
Comments
Post a Comment