Quote of the Day, Colorless Green Ideas Division

[bloodyrosemccoy]

“No, but seriously, if you had a sense of smell, what color would my aura be?”

Today’s quote brought to you by a discussion of some of the crazier theories of synesthesia. It almost made sense in context, I swear.

Comments

[tomatocaco.livejournal.com]

...

What?

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

There's some whacked theory that some olfactory synesthetes translate pheromones into color, and thus "see" auras. My sister started asking me what color hers was, but I pointed out that it's moot, since I don't actually HAVE much of a sense of smell.

[tomatocaco.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's interesting.

Even if it worked for someone, though, you don't usually register someone's smell until you're close to them (unless they're wearing scents or need a shower), so the range would be fairly limited or subtle. And if different hormones or chemicals had their own hues, people might just end up being different shades of muddy brown.

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

Okay, that's a new one on me. I wonder how they figured that one out, since a person isn't aware of it when they smell pheromones?

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think it's bunk. But I was explaining the theory to my sister, and ... well.

I must admit, though, it's hard to describe synesthesia because most of it is under the awareness. The colors are just kinda ... there.

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

I have such a mild touch of it (it was much stronger when I was a child) that when it does happen, it catches my attention. I would assume, though, that for someone in which it is fully expressed, it would be no more remarkable than sight or hearing (not that those senses aren't remarkable, but we don't *experience* them as such). So if I were to experience a color from no identifiable source, I'd be rather confused, or think it was migraine aura, or something.

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

I had the standard, "Wait, not everyone does that?" reaction. But I will admit that my colors always have sources, at least.

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you know that certain colors go with certain sounds, that certain tastes go with certain colors, etc. They don't just spring out of something you can't consciously percieve.

[queenlyzard.livejournal.com]

I like, I like.

BTW, have you seen "Ratatouille"? If so, did you think that the main character (whose name escapes me) had synesthesia (taste/vision crossover)?

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

I have! I think Remi was a synesthete, or at least whoever came up with that visual representation was.