Comments on: Why we blink: it’s not why you think

By: Bex

Bex — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:52:27 +0000

Dammit, you made me blink. Interesting stuff though, I always thought it was to stop them going all dry and prune-like, or something….

By: Chris N.

Chris N. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:28:04 +0000

this is really interesting. i’ve noticed this in animation, where a blink kind provides a “beat”, an emotional cue, a sort of period at the end of a conceptual sentence. neato.

Radiolab is a terrific show. we get it on our public radio station here as well.

another podcast I really enjoy and highly recommend is DIal A Stranger http://www.dialastranger.com/

from the website:

“We take questions from you, the listener, and attempt to find answers to them by asking strangers over the telephone. ”

basically they interview people using the questions that other listeners have left as a touchstone for the conversation. the results are always interesting, often funny or very touching. Anyone who wants to can leave a question, or sign up to be a “stranger” by leaving your #.

By: Konakona4

Konakona4 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:29:37 +0000

Is it only me who found that whole…music while talking and the voices annoying? Guh such americanisation, can’t stand it! Just tell it to us straight =_= no fancy crap!

By: Browny

Browny — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:29:33 +0000

This is interesting, sometimes when I’m on the train sat next to the window, I’m aware of light rapidly flickering through the trees, my blinking does not seem to correspond to the how bright the light is at the time. I wonder if it is programming my brain with 0 and 1 with each change in light.

By: Helena

Helena — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:52:59 +0000

Wow, crazy stuff..
So theoretically, if people who blink more have more Dopamine.. Does that therefore mean diseases associated with higher levels of Dopamine mean increased blinking?
Oh, @Chris, I guess not
But more dopamine means you’re more likely to have symptoms like Hallucinations and whatnot doesn’t it?
This podcast sounds really interesting!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:08:44 +0000

Radiolab! They’re really fantastic- one of the best things about public radio in the US. They did a show a few years ago on War of the Worlds that I highly, highly recommend.

By: Nopke

Nopke — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:56:42 +0000

Hm, I think I blink less than the standard .. That you blink less/more when you watch something that triggers yourself seems normal. Very nervous people can blink a lot (or hardly as well), or those too up. Dopamie … hm … doped with dopamine .. if possible ..

Working a bit too focussed behind the pc might prevend you from blinking enough as well. You stare sort of ..

You become very aware of the need to blink if you have a staring contest .. (who can stare the longest without laughing/speaking into someone’s eyes ). Ofcourse, you can numb yourself and block them out of your system .. that will bring normal blinking back.

Weird huh … how fast the blink goes .. you hardly see the quick going up and down .. unless you are tired .. then it goes sloooowwwww ….

By: Sheri

Sheri — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:19:57 +0000

Same as Fiona ^ up there, i was focusing on my blinking too much and kept noticing when i blinked, how anoying haha :] x

By: kiki_birdball

kiki_birdball — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:56:52 +0000

i actually didnt blink once while reading that.sometimes, if i dont use my eyes, i can keep from blinking for over 2 mins

By: Julian

Julian — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:49:47 +0000

This is really cool, I never even thought about it that much. It also explains why we don\’t blink as much when zoning out, I suppose, you’re not concerned with matching anyone\’s blinking, nor are we doing anything. I always wondered about that.