“I had no idea that the absence of visual images was unusual…” writes a science journalist. guardian.
“It's not that I forget what I look like, but sometimes I feel a little surprised and don't feel the connection to my appearance as a matter of identity.”
There is a surge of research into how aphantasia affects our lives… [F]Others may only affect images. Some people cannot imagine other sensory information such as sounds. Some people with aphantasia visualize while dreaming (I do), but others don't. Although there is evidence that aphantasia can make it difficult to recall visual details, other studies have shown that aphantasia results in better performance on some memory tests unrelated to images. But overall, people with aphantasia don't seem to have serious problems with daily life – like those with more severe memory impairments, such as episodic amnesia. Unlike people, everyday life…
Some people consider aphantasia a defect and wish it could be reversed. People claim they can train their way out of aphantasia or use psychedelics to regain a sense of mental imagery (the jury is still out on whether it works or not) ). I don't want that. My mind is busy enough without the images flowing. If I was born with an image, it would be natural to me and I would probably find it fun. But I already find myself overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings that have nothing to do with the visual aspect.
Anyone57, a longtime Slashdot reader, wrote, “Personally, until I read this article, I don't think people did it (And they also wonder whether people with this condition are more likely to go into STEM fields.) There's something known as the “red apple test,” in which you visualize an apple. Rate your abilities on a scale of 1 to 2. Five.
Are there any Slashdot readers who would like to share their experiences in the comments?
