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Phenomena: Secrets of the Senses
"Jackson moves beyond the basics of sensory perception to explore its alluring edges. . . " -- The Horn Book
Why do we dream? Are coincidences meaningful? What do first impressions tell us?
Our senses help us see, hear, feel, smell and taste the world around us. Yet each of our experiences is different. Why is that? What influences our perceptions and, ultimately, the way we interact with the world? If one of our senses is damaged, will our brains compensate in some way? How can scientists tap into technology and extend our sensory capabilities? What about animal "super" senses? Can dogs sniff out diseases in people, and do elephants really know when an earthquake's about to occur?
PHENOMENA: SECRETS OF THE SENSES explores these fascinating mysteries and more -- surveying sensory worlds from a perspective sure to make your mind tingle!
Why do we dream? Are coincidences meaningful? What do first impressions tell us?
Our senses help us see, hear, feel, smell and taste the world around us. Yet each of our experiences is different. Why is that? What influences our perceptions and, ultimately, the way we interact with the world? If one of our senses is damaged, will our brains compensate in some way? How can scientists tap into technology and extend our sensory capabilities? What about animal "super" senses? Can dogs sniff out diseases in people, and do elephants really know when an earthquake's about to occur?
PHENOMENA: SECRETS OF THE SENSES explores these fascinating mysteries and more -- surveying sensory worlds from a perspective sure to make your mind tingle!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
1013 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 25, 2012
It's a YA book but the examples it uses are pretty unique and it ties together a several different areas of perception.
Beyond that it blows your mind. It introduced me to the Brainport tool that is designed to help the blind see by using a sensor on their tongue. The manipulation of electrical impulses control all your perceptions. There is no better example of that fact. I am still blown away by that. I do have doubts about how well it works since I have never heard of it anywhere else. There would be an uproar or public fascination about that if it actually worked, right? There are youtube videos so the author didn't make it up.
Beyond that it blows your mind. It introduced me to the Brainport tool that is designed to help the blind see by using a sensor on their tongue. The manipulation of electrical impulses control all your perceptions. There is no better example of that fact. I am still blown away by that. I do have doubts about how well it works since I have never heard of it anywhere else. There would be an uproar or public fascination about that if it actually worked, right? There are youtube videos so the author didn't make it up.
September 12, 2008
Fascinating fun and fast read. There is lots of information here that is just unbelievable and unique. Reviewed for VOYA.
Want to read
April 4, 2013Informational Book- It's about the other senses that we have besides the 5. It talks about coincidence and phenomenas that are unique and interesting.
December 17, 2019
this informational book is about the senses that we know of (and delves a little into paranormal subjects like intuition, and synchronicity). A good bit of it, like synesthesia, I knew already, though the technology of the Brainport, using sensors on the tongue to create new neural pathways of sensation i found really illuminating. All in all the book doesn't stray that far into pseudoscience and primarily explains that when it comes to things like dreams, we don't actually know why we have them---though the author does do well to go into the various reasons scientists theorize we dream.
April 12, 2018
Informational #1
I actually really enjoyed reading this book. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I usually would label informational books as boring but I was totally proven wrong. I would definitely use this in my classroom for students who don't like the fiction books. I was so interested in learning new things about my senses.
I actually really enjoyed reading this book. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I usually would label informational books as boring but I was totally proven wrong. I would definitely use this in my classroom for students who don't like the fiction books. I was so interested in learning new things about my senses.
January 7, 2024
INFORMATIONAL: This was a super interesting book. It gave me a lot of things to think about regarding our senses that I hadn't even thought of before. I loved that there was information about our senses that we don't quite know about, but that definitely happen.
September 6, 2008
One Sentence Review: An ideal book for any kids looking for good non-fiction titles on everything from ESP to dreams to actual proven extraordinary senses.
April 23, 2009
Grades 5-8. Learn scientific reasons for why we might feel deja vou and other mystical phenomenon. The mind can play tricks!
July 14, 2009
Informational Book- It's about the other senses that we have besides the 5. It talks about coincidence and phenomenas that are unique and interesting.
April 14, 2010
Really cool book all about the common myths about our sensations. Explores animal senses, the sixth sense, and meanings behinds dreams.
January 8, 2009
great book to browse through. Does not require a full-reading. Interesting
April 29, 2017
Read for ENG 420
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February 7, 2019What I love most about this book is the extensive use of images. This is heavy nonfiction, but it is presented with a 'human' side which will make it appealing to readers of all ages ... not just those curious about ESP.
Get ideas on how to use this as a conversation starter in our review.
Get ideas on how to use this as a conversation starter in our review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews