One episode in a longstanding Radio 4 programme, this time on the power of the subconscious brain. This part of the brain, also termed the unconscious mind, governs the majority of our behaviour (or maybe all of it) and we are only aware of small parts of its terrain. This episode dwells on blindsight and sleep behaviours to illustrate the point. Blindsight, a most curious phenomenon, is amply described by Milena, now altogether blind. Yet, subconsciously, she continues to be able to ‘see’ a surprising amount of her environment. The sleep behaviours described include sleep-driving, sleep-texting and sleep-cooking, all behaviours that one would think one would need to be conscious to display. The episode sets out clearly the challenge that any over-burdensome theory of consciousness must meet; our unconscious mind carries most of the load.
Link to programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08n2gj8
