With all due respect to John Mahoney, I don't think audiophiles (as a group) qualify as synesthesiacs.

We enjoy audible illusions, sure, but we are about as able as anyone else to hear in three dimensions. We do it no differently than civilians like, well, John Mahoney does. There are even set parts of the brain expressly 'designed' to create these 3D matrices - it's how all of everybody pretty much 'sees' the world, sonically.

I'd call it more a matter of priority rather than neurological imperative.

We've just turned this audio thing into a fetish. More like some sort of mechano/electronic paraphilia rather than synesthesia.

However, maybe we could go a little 'Psychology Today' and create a Myers Briggs sort of inventory and start getting more specific about subdividing ourselves.

We could have the...

Fuzzy/Woodie axis.

Sharpener/Leveller axis.

Synesthesia/Paraphilia axis.

Actual music/audiophile female vocalist axis.

You wouldn't be allowed to test yourself, though, otherwise we'd all proclaim ourselves fuzzy sharpener synesthesiacs who like actual music as we sit reading about gear with letter grade quality ratings, shopping without listening, and 'watching' our gear play Patricia freaking Barber on 200 gram vinyl.

(Disclaimer: Tongue in cheek reply. Of course we are all rare and finely tuned synesthetics, the very epitome of aural pulchritude, and every other superlative neurologic adjective. Fuzzy sharpening synesthesiacs, all.)

Quote:

A couple of days ago, there was a fascinating article in Scientific American on synesthesia, its origins and uses.

I have mild synesthesia, in that some sounds, when intense produce a sensation of taste. Solo violin heard close, for example, produces a slightly sour taste in my mouth.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Quote:

Quote:

A couple of days ago, there was a fascinating article in Scientific American on synesthesia, its origins and uses.

I have mild synesthesia, in that some sounds, when intense produce a sensation of taste. Solo violin heard close, for example, produces a slightly sour taste in my mouth.

Interesting, JA!
Sometimes, while here in the office, I can totally taste Dale's Pale Ale. But I think it's just cuz I'm thirsty.

I Say,

I said,

I dropped,

Acid.

Consumption of LSD is known for creating synthesis in the mind..where the visual and auditory centers highly are stimulated--and cross-wired!

As well as an increase in intelligence of approx 15-20%.

Well done meditation can bring similar effects.

Both (effects) can be made permanent, through rote work and repetition to create long lasting channels in the mind.

The mind is ever malleable.

Doesn't Fremer think a hero is some sort of weird sandwich?

Quote:
Doesn't Fremer think a hero is some sort of weird sandwich?

Well, every time I hear "Avalon" by Chester and Lester I smell cigarette smoke and stale beer.

But this is not synesthesia, it's memory.

A hero is a poorly "bastardized" version of a Hoagie. Hoagies are a uniquely Philadelphia/Delaware Valley sandwich.

Quote:
A hero is a poorly "bastardized" version of a Hoagie. Hoagies are a uniquely Philadelphia/Delaware Valley sandwich.

Ahh, nuts, they're all just neutered versions of a "submarine sandwitch".