tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post3773853859433208041..comments2024-02-20T16:10:31.948-07:00Comments on First Nerve: Annals of Anosmia 2: The Congenial CongenitalsAvery Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-38806818064174308252009-05-15T18:18:00.000-07:002009-05-15T18:18:00.000-07:00Dear Luna:
Don't sell yourself short--there's alw...Dear Luna:<br /><br />Don't sell yourself short--there's always a new angle.<br /><br />There might even be a reality show somewhere in there . . .Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-12775189762884084882009-05-14T04:49:00.000-07:002009-05-14T04:49:00.000-07:00I just wanted to say that I liked the stories very...I just wanted to say that I liked the stories very much. <br /><br />As a congenital anosmic I never get tired of listening to the stories other congenital anosmics can tell about all the trouble they have gotten into over the years due to their anosmia.<br /><br />I could tell similar stories myself, but since they are similar I guess won't :)<br /><br />LunaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-52656438044912628092009-01-09T10:03:00.000-07:002009-01-09T10:03:00.000-07:00A nasal spray would be great! Nice and simple. Si...A nasal spray would be great! Nice and simple. Sign me up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-76035824998517564202009-01-09T08:23:00.000-07:002009-01-09T08:23:00.000-07:00I’m a crazy optimist on this score. The nose cont...I’m a crazy optimist on this score. The nose continually produces new sensory neurons. We’re just learning what factors control this process. Once we know, a nasal spray could deliver genetically modified adenovirus to the sensory tissue in your nose. Soon your own cells would start producing the necessary growth factors.<BR/><BR/>Supposing there is enough residual function in the olfactory bulbs, in a few days you might begin to feel some new sensations. It could be a strange experience as you gain neural connections for more and more smells.<BR/><BR/>Then we’d all want to know: Does skunk smell bad? Does rose smell good? You’d be the ultimate arbiter of the olfactory nature/nurture debate.Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-5017736884852028612009-01-08T22:43:00.000-07:002009-01-08T22:43:00.000-07:00I've wondered that before. I am a little curious a...I've wondered that before. I am a little curious about what smell would be like, and would be tempted by the possibility of having it. But because I don't <I>miss</I> smell, I know I could also go on happily living life without it.<BR/><BR/>So I think it would come down to the procedure itself: If it were simple -- some drugs, say, or a very minimally invasive procedure -- I'd give it a shot. But if it were any more complicated than that, the potential discomfort would probably outweigh my desire to smell.<BR/><BR/>Or at least, so I think now. What's your prediction: Will science ever deliver the option?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-36953544897691242212009-01-08T08:40:00.000-07:002009-01-08T08:40:00.000-07:00Jason:Didn't mean to knock your journalism ski...Jason:<BR/><BR/>Didn't mean to knock your journalism skillz. I liked your piece: good interviews & quotes; some real leg work went into it.<BR/><BR/>Weird thought: what if science found a way to restore/re-install your sense of smell? (Cochlear implants for the nose...) Would you volunteer?Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-75779535599198966902009-01-07T19:00:00.000-07:002009-01-07T19:00:00.000-07:00Phew! If I was going to be cliché and predictable,...Phew! If I was going to be cliché and predictable, at least I got in before it was <I>too</I> cliché and predictable.<BR/><BR/>No, seriously: Interesting post. I had no idea the theme swept so broadly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com