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I wish more discussion of aphantasia would discuss what the people who have it do instead, as they do not appear to be cognitively impaired and perhaps even the

I wish more discussion of aphantasia would discuss what the people who have it do instead, as they do not appear to be cognitively impaired and perhaps even the opposite they do posses the ability to reason counterfactually, so could it all be about the level of abstraction - symbolic/verbal imagination by default ?

harel 7y ago
I just "see" in concepts, not visuals. Until a year or so ago when this all broke out (some Pixar head of animation spoke about himself having it), I had no idea that was a thing. I thought everyone "see" in concepts. I had no idea people actually "see" when they "see in their mind". It was quite a shock knowing I'm missing out on free cinema. But I managed 40+ years without knowing about it, I can pull another 40 at least being aware of it.
- seemslegit 7y ago
  What about memories, can you audio-visually recollect conversations, arguments etc. that you've had or just their content ?
  - harel 7y ago
    I can recollect the conversation's audio track, down to diction and intonation. I cannot recall a visual image of it, but I have the "abstract concept" of it pegged down. It's the best I can do. Considering i didn't know any better most of my life I guess it's ok. I just wish I could get some visuals. On a side note - dreaming works - i rarely remember dreams but when I do they are visual, and hmmm... some substances in my youth did trigger actual visuals.
    - seemslegit 7y ago
      Interesting, what about looking at a photo - say of a red apple on a green plate like this one: https://previews.123rf.com/images/anthonycz/anthonycz1711/anthonycz171100035/90671500-red-apple-on-green-plate-healthy-food.jpg https://previews.123rf.com/images/anthonycz/anthonycz1711/an... Then closing your eyes and not trying to imagine a red apple on a green plate but instead trying to recollect the image you saw ?
      - harel 7y ago
        I will recollect an apple on a plate. I can maybe tell you the colour of the plate if I'll remember it. But the image will be 100% blank. Nothing there but darkness. You know those spy films where the hero memorised all the exists and items on the table so he can use them later? I'll be lost and/or dead in those situations. My sense of direction is horrible at best. I get lost on a straight road with a GPS (this is not an exaggeration - I do).

harel 7y ago

I just "see" in concepts, not visuals. Until a year or so ago when this all broke out (some Pixar head of animation spoke about himself having it), I had no idea that was a thing. I thought everyone "see" in concepts. I had no idea people actually "see" when they "see in their mind". It was quite a shock knowing I'm missing out on free cinema. But I managed 40+ years without knowing about it, I can pull another 40 at least being aware of it.

seemslegit 7y ago
What about memories, can you audio-visually recollect conversations, arguments etc. that you've had or just their content ?
- harel 7y ago
  I can recollect the conversation's audio track, down to diction and intonation. I cannot recall a visual image of it, but I have the "abstract concept" of it pegged down. It's the best I can do. Considering i didn't know any better most of my life I guess it's ok. I just wish I could get some visuals. On a side note - dreaming works - i rarely remember dreams but when I do they are visual, and hmmm... some substances in my youth did trigger actual visuals.
  - seemslegit 7y ago
    Interesting, what about looking at a photo - say of a red apple on a green plate like this one: https://previews.123rf.com/images/anthonycz/anthonycz1711/anthonycz171100035/90671500-red-apple-on-green-plate-healthy-food.jpg https://previews.123rf.com/images/anthonycz/anthonycz1711/an... Then closing your eyes and not trying to imagine a red apple on a green plate but instead trying to recollect the image you saw ?
    - harel 7y ago
      I will recollect an apple on a plate. I can maybe tell you the colour of the plate if I'll remember it. But the image will be 100% blank. Nothing there but darkness. You know those spy films where the hero memorised all the exists and items on the table so he can use them later? I'll be lost and/or dead in those situations. My sense of direction is horrible at best. I get lost on a straight road with a GPS (this is not an exaggeration - I do).