Tickle Your Fancy

The latest news from our friends in the scientific world, this time from the neuroscientists. I love neuroscientists – the only scientists crazier than them are my good friends the physicists, although chemists can also be very good value for money as they love blowing stuff up so much.

Anyway, the good news according to the guys and gals from the University of Lille is that there is a certain proportion of the population who are able to tickle themselves and make themselves laugh. Hitherto, it had been thought that this was impossible. I think we can all agree that this is a significant discovery. Actually, it’s not as useless as it may appear, all this research helps to map the brain, about which organ we presently pretty much know diddly-squat to use the correct scientific terminology.

The bad news is that the ability to self-tickle has been linked to a type of schizotypy, essentially a mild version of behavioural traits seen in schizophrenia. Terrific. It makes sense of course because I would posit that the ability to self-tickle, in effect surprise oneself, requires a certain detachment from the psyche that is often observed in schizophrenia and other dissociative illnesses. This does not mean that the ability is a precursor to the illness so if you can self-tickle, chillax and roll with it.

My favourite part is how the experiment was carried out. The scientists found volunteers who had scored highly for schizotypal personality traits and, wait for it – told them to tickle themselves with a paintbrush while wearing a mask. Now, is it just me? Can you imagine walking into the lab in the middle of that experiment? Pure awesomeness. I wouldn’t say you have to be insane to be a neuroscientist, but I bet it helps…. Today’s images are of bright, shiny, new products being previewed at Salone di Mobile in Milan this month. I do not vouch for the sanity of the designers but I can attest as to their talent. Have a good one.

(photos: cabinet by DesignApplause; lights by Tom Dixon; lights by Tom Dixon & Studio Front; cabinet by Campana Brothers)