Sight and Sound

[WickedKitchen]

This question came up in a discussion the other day. Let's say you had a choice. If say you could add 60 healthy years of life or something...doesn't really matter. The thing is, you have to choose to loose either the sense of sight or hearing. Which would you choose? Which is more valuable?

On another note, with the kids, sometimes we blindfold ourselves to see what life would be like without that sense. It's a fun thing to do on snow/rainy days and they learn a bit more about the world around them, not to mention what life might be like living for people that do not have that sense available to them. Is there a way to block out the sense of hearing? Ear plugs aren't good enough. I think our ears are too sensitive and instinct takes over when abnormal sounds are perceived. The other senses don't sharpen really because of this. At any rate, it's an interesting exercise.

[lxskllr]

I think I'd go with losing sight. I like music too much to give up my hearing.

[snusgetter]

How about the sense of smell...

'Tis said that without smell there would be no taste.
Nova (or Nova Science Now) did a segment on this a few weeks back.

Imagine that every snus, no matter the flavorings, would all taste the same!
As would all the foods and beverages we consume.
Your favorite brew would taste no different than water (or even cat piss!).

There are ways to cope with the loss of sight and/or sound but so far no one
has found an alternative to smell and taste.


Oh what a boring life that would be!!


How do you like them apples?
Are you sure they're really apples!!

[lxskllr]

How about the sense of smell...

'Tis said that without smell there would be no taste.
Nova (or Nova Science Now) did a segment on this a few weeks back.

Imagine that every snus, no matter the flavorings, would all taste the same!
As would all the foods and beverages we consume.
Your favorite brew would taste no different than water (or even cat piss!).

There are ways to cope with the loss of sight and/or sound but so far no one
has found an alternative to smell and taste.


Oh what a boring life that would be!!


How do you like them apples?
Are you sure they're really apples!!

Think of all the money you'd save on snus. You could get everyone's leftovers at a bargain price, but it would taste fine to you :^D

[heders]

This is a tough one. I have gotten that question before, and I can't honestly remember what I answered...

But I would say I would keep my hearing. As Ixskllr said, I like music too much to give it up.

[CoderGuy]

'Tis said that without smell there would be no taste.

I must know a lot of people without the sense of smell, cause I know a lot of tasteless people.

This is a tough one. I have gotten that question before, and I can't honestly remember what I answered...

But I would say I would keep my hearing. As Ixskllr said, I like music too much to give it up.

I think I would also choose to keep hearing. With hearing you could develop sonar like abilities, plus everything has brail on it, computer programs can read the words on the screen to you, you can feel the keys and type, and on and on.

Not to say deaf people don't like full and satisfying lives of course (in case any are watching this thread).

In any case, it seems like never having the ability would be better than losing it later in life.

[rickcharles606]

I would choose to lose my hearing. I've always lived a very active life, and without hearing...one could continue to play sports, climb, fight, bike oh...and read without learning braille

[jagmanss]

I'd go with losing hearing. I need my sight so i could see my Feshlight.... Gotta see my fleshlight.

[WickedKitchen]

I think I would choose to loose the sight too. It would certainly be easier to stimulate yourself with vision, and you'd be less dependent on others but there's something about music, playing it, listening to it, etc. It would also be more difficult to understand expressions w/o hearing them.

@ Getter, my dad and grandfather were both unable to smell from birth. Though taste is closely related to smell and some say that our perception of taste is actually 60% smell I can assure you that my dad was able to taste stuff. He tasted a lot of stuff and built up a big belly doing it. Now, he didn't know any better but I'd imagine it having a major impact if one lost it midlife. I would hate to loose my sense of taste though. That would be terrible.

@ Jag, You've got it wrong. Firstly you could simply remember where you put the toy but you'd need the sense of hearing to alert you that someone is coming and you had better do something. In fact, the input and output of the toy doesn't change with either scenario, but I'd prefer my hearing...that being said, my mental Roladex is chock full.

[Premium Parrots]

Think of all the money you'd save on snus. You could get everyone's leftovers at a bargain price, but it would taste fine to you :^D

Hell....just get 1 portion and never remove it.



Definately prefer to keep my sight. Would be a boreing world if I couldn't check out the gals.

Music has destroyed my hearing. I have tinnitus and a fair amount of hearing loss. I loved listening to music but sadly, as I found out, it was too loud. I still love to listen but its not nearly as important in my life anymore.

I've had Klipschorns and Macintosh equipment for 40 years. For the past 10 or so years the Klipschorns just sit there taking up room in my living room. I have finally decided to sell them cuz I don't use them and with the moving and all. Any takers. $2500 for the pair. Currently they are $7000 or more a pair new. Come get them and I'll throw in a roll of C/V.