This book is about the skin as a tactile organ very much involved, not alone physically but also behaviorally, in the growth and development on the organism. 

Pedro Almadovar’s Talk to Her character, Benigo inspired the content. The kind natured Benigo is a nurse to Alicia, a beautiful young dancer who has been comatose for almost four years. His caring touch, grooming, massaging and conversing with Alicia prevents bed sores, muscle loss, mental deterioration and perhaps enables her eventual recovery. Although Alicia seems unresponsive to Benigo’s care, he remains committed to the belief that continual human engagement is essential to wellbeing. 

Touch can be a source of healing or an instrument of fear. Because unwanted touch can leave deep emotional scars, our behavioral instinct is firstly to protect. Cognizance examines this duality and evaluates how defensive behaviors also harm maturation.