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Heather McElhatton talks to James Wannerton, who has a neurological condition called "lexical-gustatory synesthesia," which allows him to taste sound.  

Every sound he hears causes a taste to fire in his mouth. Even the barks of his dogs have specific flavors and textures. 

To better explain his condition he mapped out the entire London Underground with stations and their corresponding flavors.  

recently published in "The Best American Infographics 2014

Synesthesia - Tasting the London Underground by A Beautiful World

Heather McElhatton

Author

James Wannerton has a neurological condition called "lexical-gustatory synesthesia," which allows him to taste sound.

Courtesy of James Wannerton

Heather McElhatton talks to James Wannerton, who has a neurological condition called "Lexical-Gustatory Synesthesia," which allows him to taste sound. To better explain his condition he mapped out the entire London Underground with stations and their corresponding flavors.

See enlarged map here: 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10257633/What-do-London-Underground-stops-taste-like.html

"A Beautiful World" is a news program produced by American Public Media that focuses on inspirational stories from around the world, featuring good news about science, technology, ecology, art, music and medicine. The program is hosted by best-selling author Heather McElhatton, whom listeners may know from her contributions to This American Life, Marketplace and MPR News. Visit www.prettylittlemistakes.com for more stories and audio collections.




A Beautiful World: Synesthesia and tasting the London Underground

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