In "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," Mary Roach explores the unusual and often uncomfortable realities surrounding human remains. She discusses how seeing body parts in non-traditional contexts, such as on tables or in cooking settings, can challenge our perception of what is considered normal for human anatomy. This dissonance illustrates how the brain struggles to reconcile the sight of human features detached from the body.

Roach reflects on the mind's tendency to seek comfort in the face of disturbing imagery. Instead of confronting the unsettling reality of dismembered body parts, the brain opts for a more palatable interpretation. This cognitive mechanism highlights the complexities of human perception and how we cope with the macabre aspects of mortality and our anatomy.