Displaying emotions

I think it's okay to question anything. By question there I mean test or attempt to measure scientifically. That doesn't mean you're calling anyone a liar. It means you're trying to understand how the phenomenon works, why it works for some people and not others, and whether it might have interesting or useful applications.

If such investigation (voluntary for synesthetes of course) is not allowed, then you can't be surprised if people keep on expressing scepticism. Scepticism, about everything, is the foundation of good science.

BTW, I don't think the common expression "I feel your pain" means that anyone saying it is a synesthete. It's just a figure of speech to express sympathy.

To question certainly, so I might ask can you tell me more? Or explain more about this to me. To totally deny it is possible, well no. Effectively being a flat earther and refusing to look at the evidence. Which certainly isn't the basis of good science.

I never said to my husband, "I feel your pain". I wouldn't have done. I still maintain I saw his pain and felt his pain every day.
As others have said, if someone can say they believe in someone they cannot prove exists, I can say I felt my husband's pain. Nobody can prove otherwise.

It wasn't questioning in that sense Bags - how could you have tested it as you suggest. It was just a refusal to respect what someone else had claimed based on a preconceived opinion.

AB's comments were originally also based on her prejudice against Corbyn He said it and therefore it has to be rubbished - and look at what that has led to.

If, of course, you can get funding for your research I am sure we will all be interested to see it but I still think Jen deserves an apology.

I think the main point about the scientific aspect is that a link has been found, but more research is needed to understand what is actually happening in the brain. Actually, later I did find a study that found no link, but there does seem to be some interest in connection with Autism. The first link was only noticed by chance in 2003, so it's very early days.

Personally I don't agree with dismissing anyone's feelings (can you see my halo? ) and would rather say nothing, keeping my opinions to myself. After all, anyone who swore the world was flat would feel foolish now.

trisher I've done it again - maybe we're long lost twins!

Yes, I get seeing pain with all its indignities. That's why I felt relief as well as grief when my dad died. Relief for him.

I think Wilma has answered your question about how, GG. I should think that designing good experiments for researching synesthesia would be quite hard but I'm sure people will come up with good ideas, along with a lot of duff ones no doubt.

I cannot imagine you ever holding your breath GG

You were obviously never in a position to whip up a quick but comprehensive experiment to prove your point. Your attitude to Jen showed an incredible lack of respect, Baggs.

You are now so very interested in the research others have tracked down for you but you had absolutely nothing to base your opinion on when you not only offered it but thought it was a reasonable to state out of hand that your opinion was more 'truthful' than someone else's experience.

I still think you should apologise. Both you and AB were happy when you thought you could tell Jen she could not feel what she said she felt on the open forum, surely you should be big enough to appreciate just how inappropriate that was.

Wrong again GG, tut tut, you love that spoon don't you.

I believe Jen suffered when her husband suffered, felt his pain? No because it was his and pain cannot be shared

Can you please stop dismissing what I say, Anniebach. You know nothing.

Which attitude, GG? and why is it an attitude to Jen? Apart from her most recent post, to which I have shown no disrespect, I haven't read any others of hers on this thread.

Your reprimand up thread made me realise I should have looked at some links before joining in. I did that and my position, such as it is since then, which is open-minded and interested, isn't disrespectful to anyone. The fact that I personally can't whip up an experiment to discover more or to prove anything about synesthesia is irrlevevant. I personally have nothing to prove.

If anyone knows how to use a spoon......

I am understanding from cursory readings of Annie's posts that she is as yet unconvinced that synesthesia exists, at least in a way she understands. She's allowed to express that lack of conviction. Her views are not less valuable than anyone else's even if one thinks they are tosh. Likewise yours, GG, and Jen's. But you are expressing opinions about Annie and me, not about our views.

Annie and you are telling me that I could not feel my husband's pain when I believed I did.
Have you any idea how hurtful it is, to just dismiss my feelings like that?
Carry on. I will not be reading this thread any more.

I told you nothing of the kind, Jen.

Of course she can say "I don't believe" what she can't say is "It isn't true" or "It isn't possible" or "This person is lying."
Wilma Spooky!!! Maybe we should start a thread about telepathy and thought transference and send each other messages to post!

BTW, I don't think the common expression "I feel your pain" means that anyone saying it is a synesthete. It's just a figure of speech to express sympathy.

This comment above was not doubting all claims of "I feel your pain", just some. I said it doesn't mean anyone, that is, all the people saying it, are synesthetes. Nor is it saying that it's always false.

And it wasn't addressed or pointed at anyone. It was and is just a general statement of what I believe to be true.

I also believe what Jen said about feeling her husband's pain. I thought I had expressed my understanding of that in my post that followed it, about my dad's death.

Wilma the sad thing is that the crossing the road reaction is apparently not uncommon.
It is very difficult, knowing the right thing to do or say if someone you are friendly with but who is not a close friend or relation is bereaved. Some people may welcome a sympathetic ear, others may not want to speak to anyone.

Jen, no difference to you saying there is no God, I didn't take offence I accepted it was your belief, or rather disbelief

I said I believed you suffered, I cannot lie and say you felt your husbands pain because it was his, if I had toothache you could not feel my toothache it's my tooth

I think labour pains is a good example WKf
Well, the midwife taking the pre-natal classes certainly did not feel our pain - she told us first-timers it would be like a 'tummy ache'.

This was a mean spirited thread from the start and it's continued in a downward spiral - how dare anyone tell dj they don't believe her re feeling her husband's pain? As usual, that says far far far more about the person who posted it than it about the person it is aimed at. I keep meaning to come off this thread but but it's difficult in the face of such behaviour.

Trisher, there is always PM's as stated just a few days ago, save a lot of brain work

Splitting semantic hairs is not a get out of jail free card