Documentary Description
The writings of Oliver Sacks and others have shown us that we can
learn much about ourselves by looking closely at the deficits shown by
people with neurological problems. V.S. Ramachandran has seen countless
patients suffering from anosognosia, phantom limb pain, blindsight, and
other disorders, and he brings a remarkable mixture of clinical
intuition and research savvy to bear on their problems. He is one of
the few scientists who are able and willing to explore the personal,
subjective ramifications of his work; he rehumanizes an often
too-sterile field and captures the spirit of wonder so essential for
true discovery.
Phantoms in the Brain is equal parts medical mystery, scientific
adventure, and philosophical speculation. Whether you’re curious about
the workings of the brain, interested in alternatives to expensive,
high-tech science (much of Ramachandran’s research is done with
materials found around the home), or simply want a fresh perspective on
the nature of human consciousness, you’ll find this to be an
interesting documentary.
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