poco \ ˈpō-(ˌ)kō \
adverb: po·co | origin: Italian, from Latin paucus
Missing a whole family of sensations can be disturbing – yet the absence of tactile
experiences seems to have more damaging consequences than the absence of other
experiences, for instance olfactory ones.
Contrary to the proverbial expression that ‘seeing is believing’, it is touch that secures our epistemic grip on reality.
Everyday situations show that touch is the ‘fact-checking’ sense. Salesmen know it well:
if a client hesitates to buy a product, handing it over for her to touch is likely to seal the deal.
We all like to feel our wallets in our bags, even when we just put them there. Despite numerous signs
asking visitors not to touch the artworks on display, guards need to regularly stop people
rom reaching out and touching fragile statues and canvasses.
But what does touch bring if vision already tells you everything you need to know?
Ophelia Deroy | Aeon
