Cognitive Blinking

On average, a human being blinks between 15 and 20 times a minute. While we assume this rapid closure of the eyelids is merely a mechanical reflex to lubricate the cornea and clear away dust, the math doesn't add up; we blink far more frequently than physiology requires. Neuroscientists have uncovered a profound hidden function: the blink is a cognitive punctuation mark. Rather than blinking randomly, our brains subconsciously time our blinks to occur at the precise end of sentences while reading, or during the cut-away of a film scene. During those split milliseconds of darkness, the brain's default mode network briefly activates, allowing the mind to dump working memory and refocus attention. This book explores the fascinating neurological machinery behind this involuntary reflex. You will discover how the timing of blinks reveals hidden fatigue, why psychopaths blink less frequently, and how magicians and filmmakers expertly manipulate your blink rate to hide their illusions in plain sight. Realize the power of the dark spaces between your vision. By understanding the neuroscience of the blink, you will uncover how your brain constantly edits reality to keep you focused.