Comments on: Transplanted corneas are a window to the soul http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/ Neuroscience and psychology news and views. Fri, 24 May 2013 17:03:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Matthew Barrett http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24829 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:45:49 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24829 50fifty50,

I’ve been sitting here trying to think of a response to Sally, when I now realize that the one I actually need to address is you. Like Sally, I disagree with your choice, but unlike Sally, I respect your right to make your own decision. If you reconsider one day, I would be very happy, but if not, I hope your choice does not inflict suffering.

I would never wish you blind.

]]> By: Sally http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24810 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:53:47 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24810 That’s completely bonkers. I hope that one day you lose your sight when there is a shortage of cornea donors you selfish toad!

]]> By: Bowerbird #30: Soft Robot Dope Magnet « avian architext http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24566 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:10:13 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24566 [...] to a child and dull their willingness to be awed and inspired by the discoveries of science. It’s just the idea of the thing that puts people off. A lot of people thought the sense of self was hard-wired, but it’s not at all. Even with a [...]

]]> By: 50fifty50 http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24497 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:08:46 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24497 I am a registered organ donor. But I have not signed my corneas to be taken. I just don’t like the idea of it. I think it stems from not having to look at my lungs/heart/liver everyday. I’m familiar with my eyes, in a safe zone maybe?
It’s like your ‘special possession’, one that doesnt really matter but you don’t want to lose it.

]]> By: The last few hours in links :) (December 15th, 2011 from 09:29 to 13:08) | PRCog's Gear Grindings http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24473 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:04:23 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24473 [...] Transplanted corneas are a window to the soul – [...]

]]> By: Transplanted Corneas Are A Window To The Soul « The VisionHelp Blog http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24469 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:25:14 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24469 [...] transition from Oliver Sacks to Mind Hacks, the superb blog from authors Tom Stafford and Vaughan Ball.  Their post today bears the title above.  It lends a [...]

]]> By: Matthew Barrett http://mindhacks.com/2011/12/15/transplanted-corneas-are-a-window-to-the-soul/#comment-24468 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:49:56 +0000 http://mindhacks.com/?p=20858#comment-24468 I’m surprised there’s no mention of another dynamic at work: the vast difference in the consequences of the transplants. A heart or liver transplant saves lives, while a cornea transplant restores sight. The weight on one’s conscience in the extremity of the situation is vastly different, when weighed as either _preventing_ a _loss_ of _life_, vs. _granting_ the _gift_ of _sight._ I’d imagine that many people who might otherwise refuse organ donation would be far more moved by the opportunity to save a life, especially since they are dealing with exactly such a loss at that very moment. Such people might be moved to generosity with the appeal for a heart or liver, but would retain their original tendencies when the consequences are not life-saving.

]]>