The Superhuman Mind

June 15, 2015
Those wishing to increase their ability to memorize, calculate, and innovate but not yet ready to commit to a monthly membership at an online “brain gym” need look no further than this enlightening book. Researcher Brogaard (On Romantic Love), who experiences the phenomenon of synesthesia (when stimulus through one sense is perceived via another, such as when sounds are experienced as images), and cognitive science graduate student Marlow introduce readers to a broad array of cases of enhanced brain abilities: some following head injuries, some the apparent result of illness or chronic conditions, and others learned. The authors delve into the science behind these conditions, outlining theories about why people with autism often display extraordinary mental abilities, why some types of dementia can coincide with newly acquired artistic talent, and how some blind people learn to navigate using echolocation. The scientific writing can be a bit dense for a lay audience, but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with fascinating discussions of techniques like training your mind to behave like a synesthete’s and learning to become a lucid dreamer, as well as more pragmatic skills like counting cards and retaining the names of new acquaintances.

June 1, 2015

Main author Brogaard is both an academic psychologist (director, Brogaard Lab for Multisensory Research, Univ. of Miami; On Romantic Love) and a synesthete, that is, a person who experiences mixed sensory inputs ("seeing" sounds as colors or hearing particular tones when viewing faces, etc.). While most synesthetes seem to be born with their unusual ability, Brogaard has trained people to associate colors with sounds through practice. Furthermore, the author argues that other abilities of so-called savants, such as being able to memorize pi to thousands of decimals or to quickly calculate the day of the week on which any calendar date falls, can be acquired with practice and gives some rudimentary instruction on how to go about achieving this. People with plenty of free time and a burning desire to perform savant-style party tricks will love this book. Readers who have delighted in works by authors such as Oliver Sacks (The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat) will appreciate learning more about synesthesia and savantry. But is this unlocking "inner genius"? VERDICT An enjoyable book, but don't expect to make a major contribution to world civilization as a direct result of reading it.--Mary Ann Hughes, Shelton, WA

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