How to Become Batman

The 'How to Become Batman' episode of the 'Invisibilia' podcast explores the power of expectations and their tangible effects on abilities and behaviors, particularly in the context of blindness. The episode begins with an experiment by psychologist Bob Rosenthal, who demonstrated that lab rats labeled as 'smart' or 'dumb' performed according to the experimenters' expectations, not their inherent capabilities. This concept, known as the expectancy effect, is shown to extend to humans, where expectations can influence various outcomes, from a student's performance to a soldier's physical abilities.

The narrative then introduces Daniel Kish, a blind man who has mastered echolocation, a technique that allows him to 'see' his environment using sound. Kish clicks with his tongue and listens to the echoes to navigate the world, much like bats do. Despite his blindness, Kish engages in activities such as hiking, biking, and navigating unfamiliar spaces with remarkable independence. The podcast challenges the notion that such abilities are extraordinary, suggesting instead that they are within reach for many blind individuals if societal expectations were different.

Kish's story is juxtaposed with that of Adam, another blind individual who, unlike Kish, was raised with low expectations and became highly dependent on others. The difference in their upbringing and the resulting contrast in their abilities underscore the episode's central theme: expectations can significantly shape a person's life experiences and capabilities. Kish's mother, Paulette, played a crucial role in his development by encouraging exploration and independence despite the risks, a choice that proved pivotal in Kish's ability to echolocate and live autonomously.

The episode also delves into the scientific investigation of echolocation by neuroscientist Laura Thaler. Her research reveals that the brains of proficient echolocators like Kish can create visual-like representations of their surroundings, even activating brain areas typically associated with sight in sighted individuals. This groundbreaking discovery suggests that the brain's visual cortex can process spatial information from non-visual sources, challenging traditional understandings of vision and blindness.