2023-09-25 13:00:00
The world of fiction and fiction has long attracted us with stories about ordinary people who, after some unusual event, acquire superhuman abilities. These stories, whether in comics or on the big screen, speak to our shared interest in the limits of human potential and the transformative power of trauma.
Suffice it to recall Bruce Willis’s character, David Dunn, in M. Night Shyamalan’s film “Unbreakable.” After he miraculously survives a train accident without a scratch, Dunn realizes that he has superhuman strength and invulnerability. This discovery forces him to think about fate, responsibility and the nature of heroism. On the other hand, Samuel L. Jackson’s character in the same universe, Elijah Price or “Mr. Glass”, presents a sharp contrast. Born with osteogenesis deficiency type I, a rare disease that leaves his bones excessively fragile, Price’s physical vulnerabilities lead him on a dark search for his antithesis, someone indestructible. His character highlights the idea that sometimes our perceived weaknesses can become our most defining strengths.
Another great example is Spider-Man, perhaps one of the most famous characters to undergo a dramatic transformation. Bitten by a radioactive spider, ordinary teenager Peter Parker gains the spider’s strength and agility. This newfound power, coupled with the tragic loss of his Uncle Ben, propels him into a life of superherodom, guided by the principle “with great power comes great responsibility.”
These fictional stories resonate deeply, not only because of their fantastical elements, but also because they reflect our own hopes and fears. They reflect our innate desire to rise above adversity, turn pain into purpose, and discover the hidden strengths within ourselves. And although these stories may seem far from reality, from time to time life presents us with people whose experiences blur the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
One of those people is Jason Padgett.
Before the incident that redefined his life, Jason was, in many ways, the epitome of an everyman. He was born and raised in Alaska, later moving to Tacoma, Washington, where he led a life that was far from academic or introspective.
As a mattress salesman, his days were filled with routine, and his evenings were often devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. With a penchant for partying and a self-admitted superficial outlook on life, Jason’s interests lay more in socializing and pursuing romantic interests than in intellectual endeavors.
Mathematics, moreover, did not attract him. In fact, he often dismissed its relevance, once remarking: “mathematics is stupid, how can you even use it in real life?” This feeling, although common among many who do not see the immediate applicability of abstract concepts, was especially strong for Jason, reflecting a guy who lived one day at a time.
However, underneath that exterior there were hints of a deeper, more reflective Jason. His choice of residence in Tacoma, a city known for its beautiful riverfront, lush parks and majestic Mount Rainier in the distance, suggests an appreciation for natural beauty. There may have been moments in these tranquil surroundings when Jason, even subconsciously, pondered the big questions of life. But any such hints were hidden by his more immediate concerns until the fateful night in September 2002 when everything changed.
While leaving the karaoke bar, Padgett was severely beaten and robbed. The physical injuries he suffered included a concussion and a bleeding kidney. But the psychological consequences were even more profound. He developed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which manifested itself in fear of the outside world and an irrational phobia of germs. This new behavior had serious consequences for his personal life, especially regarding his daughter and ongoing custody negotiations.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, something unique was unfolding. Padgett began to see the world differently. Everything around him, from the flow of water in the drain to the sunlight filtering through the trees, seemed pixelated, like scenes from a retro game. This new perspective was both beautiful and terrifying.
Influenced by these visions, Padgett turned to the Internet, where he discovered the concept of fractals. These repeating geometric patterns, which can be compared to endless snowflakes, resonated deeply with him. He became obsessed, creating countless drawings in an attempt to convey his unique perspective.
During a rare outing, a stranger noticed Padgett’s drawings and identified them as mathematical. This chance meeting led Padgett to enroll in a community college, where he began studying mathematics. This academic pursuit, coupled with psychological therapy, marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
But why did Padgett perceive the world in such a unique way? The answer comes from cognitive neuroscientist Berit Brogaard. She theorized that Padgett had developed a form of synesthesia, a condition in which senses become interconnected. This can occur due to trauma such as brain injury. And, in Padgett’s case, certain stimuli triggered visions of mathematical formulas or geometric figures.
To test this theory, Padgett underwent brain research at Aalto University in Helsinki. The results were amazing. Not only did he have access to parts of the brain normally outside of conscious awareness, but his visual cortex also worked in conjunction with the mathematical region of the brain. Padgett was diagnosed with acquired savant syndrome and a form of synesthesia.
His story has since attracted international attention. He wrote the book “Struck by a Genius”, traveled the world, shares his experiences, and now sells his fractal drawings.
The case of Jason Padgett is not an isolated one. There have been several similar ones throughout history where injury or disfigurement has unlocked hidden abilities in people, leading to profound transformations in their lives.
For example, Alonzo Clemons, who suffered a severe brain injury as a child. This event left him with a developing disability, but also revealed an amazing talent for sculpture. With no formal training, Clemons was able to create incredibly detailed and accurate sculptures of animals after only seeing them for a moment. His works, mostly in clay, demonstrate an innate understanding of anatomy and form, making him a celebrated savant sculptor.
Another intriguing case is Derek Amato. After he jumped into a shallow pool and hit his head, Amato discovered that he had a new musical ability. Even though he had never played the piano before, he discovered that he could compose and perform complex pieces. This sudden surge of musical prowess was unexpected and inexplicable, and Amato became one of the few famous people to have acquired musical savant syndrome.
Such cases raise questions about the untapped potential of the human brain. Could there be hidden abilities in us all, waiting for the right trigger? And if so, could we use these abilities without the need for injury?
The idea of stimulating a savant’s abilities through drugs or other interventions is tantalizing but remains speculative. However, standing on the threshold of a new era in neuroscience and technology, the concept of brain-computer implants offers truly exciting potential.
Brain-computer implants, or neural interfaces, are devices that can be surgically implanted into the brain to enhance its abilities. Imagine a world in which such implants could enhance our cognitive abilities, allowing us to process information at unprecedented speeds or perceive the world in ways previously unimaginable. These devices could potentially enhance our senses, giving us the ability to see infrared or ultraviolet light or even “hear” radio frequencies.
Moreover, with advances in artificial intelligence, these implants could provide real-time analytics of our surroundings, offering clues and highlighting patterns that the human brain alone might miss. This fusion of man and machine could move the boundaries of creativity, problem solving, perception, communication and other areas of life.
For example, artists equipped with these implants could visualize and create art in multidimensional forms, musicians could perceive and compose music at entirely new frequencies, and scientists could solve complex problems with enhanced analytical abilities. The world seen through this lens would be richer, more detailed and infinitely more complex.
However, with such profound abilities come ethical questions. The idea of ”upgrading” the human brain evokes our ideas about personality, free will, and the essence of what it means to be human. Will those with implants have an unfair advantage over those without? Will there be public pressure on implantation to keep up with the developing world? And what about the potential for hacking or misuse?
However, perhaps the most important question is where will the person end and the machine begin?
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