Ever since people have had brain injuries, and recovered enough for us to see the effects, we've known that different parts of the brain do different things. These days, by using our collective intelligence to develop technologies that extend our senses, (e.g Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging FMRT ) we can make a good guess about which bits of the brain are active at any one time. Not by looking directly at the activity itself, but at the flow of blood that takes place in response.
Using this technology, we now know that a part of the brain called the amygdala , which is responsible for our emotional responses, can be activated just by seeing an angry face and, as a result, we feel the emotion of fear and the rest of our brain and body is primed for action.
Apropos of something, I was taking a daft route up Oliver's Mount to buy some potatoes when I met a speeding motor cyclist under the impression it was a race day. Coming very quickly towards me around a bend, I made a gesture of exasperation (hand held out palm up, eyes rolled towards the sky) . A little later, just as I'd started on the straight that looks out over The Mere, I heard the motorbike coming quickly down the hill behind. I pulled over to one side, stopped, and pointedly pointed at the 30 mph sign on the other side of the road.
He saw what I was doing and, rather than carry on at a reasonable speed decided to pull up alongside and ask what I was doing. Not happy with the suggestion that I thought he ought to be obeying the speed limit, he became quite agitated and, having suggested that I get a life (presumably one other than the one in which I get pleasure from pissing him off) asked with a rhetorical flourish if I wanted to get punched. Not deeming this worth a reply I simply stood where I was while he hurled abuse in my face.
Strangely, despite the obvious anger, and at least the suggestion of intent, it was no trouble just to stand there and look straight back while he ranted. Eventually he restarted his bike and roared off. I simply made a mental note of his number KP 06 OMR
Because he was wearing a helmet with a completely dark visor I couldn't actually see his face. In particular, I couldn't see the look of anger that I presume must have been there.
It isn't that I wasn't concerned, just that, like dealing with an unknown dog, the best way to create doubt about whether you're worth taking on in a fight is to maintain eye contact and stand your ground. (It also crossed my mind that if he did actually go for me there was a chance that his bike would get knocked over and he really wouldn't want that.) No, what was odd here, was that I didn't really feel any strong emotional response. Without the angry face to go with the cross words my amygdala didn't seem too fussed.
So, if you ever really want to frighten someone, to "light up" their amygdala, it's best to let them see your face.
Looking across to the Mere in early winter sunshine.
