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Maybe you're expecting too much from visualization. Obviously people aren't "seeing" anything. What happens if you try to conceptualize a pyramid from one angle

Maybe you're expecting too much from visualization. Obviously people aren't "seeing" anything. What happens if you try to conceptualize a pyramid from one angle, then conceptualize it from that angle +10˚, then + 10˚, ...? Ta-da, instant visualization.

harel 7y ago
I think they are actually seeing things. My wife can bring up images at will. She can layer them on reality without even trying. and since I learned about this I've been asking people - most do "see" things to various degrees. I'd love to have that. I see absolutely nothing. If I close my eyes, I'm blind. I'm not sure this inability to visualise is uncommon. I think it's a pretty common thing. Maybe you and me are in the same boat - conceptualising, but not visualising.
- ecoled_ame 7y ago
  Have you tried LSD or DMT? What about the sparkles behind your eyes from rhodopsin channels?
  - harel 7y ago
    Hmmm... I can not confirm or deny having taken these on public forums, but I'm pretty very sure these DO indeed bring in the visuals. The latter I would risk saying goes beyond visuals. More "transportative" if that is a word. I think the blindness is in it's natural unassisted form - but like anything software, can be hacked with the right patch.
- loco5niner 7y ago
  > I think they are actually seeing things. Yes, this is true. I can also layer images on reality at will. My wife is the same as you. She sees nothing.
NeedMoreTea 7y ago
I'm at 0/10 for visualising, total blackness. I'd have to do that via a word picture - like reading a dictionary definition for integrity and thinking about and exploring the concepts. Yet somehow, there is a non visual spatial sense to this, so I could sort-of know - more like a muscle memory of knowing how far to turn a dial, or how far to reach to scratch my toe - if the planned pyramid were going to overlap with a wall. Visualisation in a way that completely phases those with pictorial ability. :)
- ecoled_ame 7y ago
  Have you tried LSD or DMT? And what about when you pull up to do a skateboard trick or something? Can't you visualize yourself doing the trick? Or what about sexual fantasies? I feel like you're being stubborn.
  - NeedMoreTea 7y ago
    I have, and yep there were definite clear and strong visual hallucinations, with my eyes open (as far as I can remember). I'd never heard of aphantasia back then so I had no concept I wasn't just the same as everyone else. So there was no closing my eyes and trying to visualise on acid... I'd do skateboard or cycling by the seat of my pants - it's more a feel, a spatial sense, and a muscle memory thing again. I can definitely get a sense of doing it, so perhaps it stems more from touch than sight? Same with the sexual - it's the concept, the thought, the emotion, the feels. The sense of touch is definitely quite strong here. Visual needs pornhub. Sorry! :)
    - ecoled_ame 7y ago
      Haha thank you for taking the time to answer. Have a great day.
loco5niner 7y ago
> Obviously people aren't "seeing" anything Actually, I AM "seeing" something. Often, with a memory, I can see it in my minds eye just as if it was a picture in front of me. Right now, I'm visualizing a portrait of my mom, and now, the time as a kid I pet the tongue of a killer whale at Sea World.

harel 7y ago

I think they are actually seeing things. My wife can bring up images at will. She can layer them on reality without even trying. and since I learned about this I've been asking people - most do "see" things to various degrees. I'd love to have that. I see absolutely nothing. If I close my eyes, I'm blind. I'm not sure this inability to visualise is uncommon. I think it's a pretty common thing. Maybe you and me are in the same boat - conceptualising, but not visualising.

ecoled_ame 7y ago
Have you tried LSD or DMT? What about the sparkles behind your eyes from rhodopsin channels?
- harel 7y ago
  Hmmm... I can not confirm or deny having taken these on public forums, but I'm pretty very sure these DO indeed bring in the visuals. The latter I would risk saying goes beyond visuals. More "transportative" if that is a word. I think the blindness is in it's natural unassisted form - but like anything software, can be hacked with the right patch.
loco5niner 7y ago
> I think they are actually seeing things. Yes, this is true. I can also layer images on reality at will. My wife is the same as you. She sees nothing.

NeedMoreTea 7y ago

I'm at 0/10 for visualising, total blackness. I'd have to do that via a word picture - like reading a dictionary definition for integrity and thinking about and exploring the concepts. Yet somehow, there is a non visual spatial sense to this, so I could sort-of know - more like a muscle memory of knowing how far to turn a dial, or how far to reach to scratch my toe - if the planned pyramid were going to overlap with a wall. Visualisation in a way that completely phases those with pictorial ability. :)

ecoled_ame 7y ago
Have you tried LSD or DMT? And what about when you pull up to do a skateboard trick or something? Can't you visualize yourself doing the trick? Or what about sexual fantasies? I feel like you're being stubborn.
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  I have, and yep there were definite clear and strong visual hallucinations, with my eyes open (as far as I can remember). I'd never heard of aphantasia back then so I had no concept I wasn't just the same as everyone else. So there was no closing my eyes and trying to visualise on acid... I'd do skateboard or cycling by the seat of my pants - it's more a feel, a spatial sense, and a muscle memory thing again. I can definitely get a sense of doing it, so perhaps it stems more from touch than sight? Same with the sexual - it's the concept, the thought, the emotion, the feels. The sense of touch is definitely quite strong here. Visual needs pornhub. Sorry! :)
  - ecoled_ame 7y ago
    Haha thank you for taking the time to answer. Have a great day.

loco5niner 7y ago

> Obviously people aren't "seeing" anything Actually, I AM "seeing" something. Often, with a memory, I can see it in my minds eye just as if it was a picture in front of me. Right now, I'm visualizing a portrait of my mom, and now, the time as a kid I pet the tongue of a killer whale at Sea World.