Introduction
This is a theory about somatosensory perception.
The question of how do we sense touch? is explored concisely.
This study also emphasizes how little we know despite all the scientific advancement.
Information
There are five known physical senses of the human body which are visual, auditory, somatosensory, olfactory and gustatory.
Visual perception is about light. Since light is an electromagnetic wave, eyes are wave sensor organs.
Auditory perception is about sound. Similarly; since sound is a pressure wave, ears also are wave sensor organs.
Olfaction and gustation involve chemical reactions with mucus or saliva.
Hypothesis
What might be the case for somatosensory perception?
- As far as known there aren’t any chemical reactions involved.
- Atoms can never touch each other. This means a physical contact can never actually occur between any two objects in the event of touch. This includes an atom of a skin and an atom of an object which is being touched.
- It is the fingertips where we get the feeling of touch and texture most precisely. Looking closely, it can be seen that prints (fingerprints) of fingertips are very much alike circular wave patterns.
Conclusion
If these are true:
- Similar to eyes and ears, hands and feet are also wave sensor organs.
- Palm of a hand and sole of a foot are perception (wave sensor) areas and they are completely covered with tiny crests and troughs. It is not the wrinkles on the skin that is mentioned here. Wave sensor area seems different from the rest of the skin and the separation can easily be seen if a hand or a foot is viewed from the side. Perception areas are usually paler (colored differently) than the rest of the skin and the difference is more visible on darker skin tones.
- Just like purple and red light colors mean different frequencies of electromagnetic wave spectrum, silver and gold can mean different frequencies of tactile wave spectrum.
In the near future humanity will be able to digitize tactile waves. There will be immersive games with connected clothing. Tactile calls will replace video calls with all the textures, temperature and so on.
