Linked below is an absolutely fascinating article by Sam Kean for Slate magazine regarding Phineas Gage, easily neuroscience’s “most famous” patient. Even those with a passing knowledge of issues regarding brain trauma have likely at least heard of Mr. Gage. Back in 1848, Mr. Gage had an injury which was as gruesome as it was bizarre, involving an iron rod blasted by gunpowder and hurled through his jaw and out the top of his head.
This injury was only the first part of Mr. Gage’s tale. What followed were stories of a changed man, one who was significantly different versus the man he was before the accident. A man who went from being “normal” to, following his traumatic brain injury, disheveled, foul mouthed, “animalistic”…
But was he? As with many things, has myth supplanted reality?
The article below offers a fascinating look at just how much is real and how much is myth regarding Mr. Gage post-accident life, and if you’re not familiar with Mr. Gage’s story, you will find it an incredible read:
Count me in on one of those who bought into the myth. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder why we engage in mythical storytelling when reality is sometimes even more fascinating. The idea that Mr. Gage could return to a somewhat normal life following this incredible brain trauma is even more interesting than the “animalistic” changed life he supposedly had.
Fascinating, fascinating stuff.