The brain's plasticity allows for remarkable adaptation from "summary" of The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks
The brain, in its infinite complexity, possesses a quality that is both astonishing and essential for our survival: plasticity. This ability allows the brain to adapt and reorganize itself in response to changing circumstances, challenges, or injuries. The brain's plasticity is what enables us to learn new skills, recover from injuries, and even compensate for deficits in our sensory or cognitive abilities. One of the most remarkable demonstrations of the brain's plasticity is seen in individuals who have experienced vision loss. When the visual system is compromised, such as in cases of blindness or visual impairment, the brain has the remarkable ability to rewire itself to utilize other sensory modalities, such as touch or sound, to compensate for the loss of vision. This phenomenon, known as cross-modal plasticity, highlights the brain's incredible adaptability and its capacity t...
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