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I'm confused, I can "visualize" images in my head, memories or new things both. I know how everything fits together, I can have this "image" even with my eyes o

I'm confused, I can "visualize" images in my head, memories or new things both. I know how everything fits together, I can have this "image" even with my eyes open. I can draw them, recall details and context. However, when I close my eyes I see dark perlin noise and nothing else. So maybe it is figure of speech? Here's a visual test, but before clicking just imagine a red five-pointed star: https://curingaphantasia.com/free-aphantasia-test/ https://curingaphantasia.com/free-aphantasia-test/

haswell 3y ago
The only way I can make new things with my eyes open is to draw them. I’ve come to rely on visualization tools to help make sense of ideas. I love endless canvas tools like Miro because I can actually work with ideas. When I close my eyes, I see #1. Eyes open vs. eyes closed are two vastly different modes for the brain to operate in. It seems that so much of what we see is based on context, it makes some sense that a fully populated visual field would provide more anchors for thought/visualization. Depending on where you fall on the visualization spectrum, some people have reported the ability to improve their visualization abilities by practicing “Image Streaming” [0], which to me looks like a form of attention training/mindfulness. Editing to add: that site rubs me a bit the wrong way. He’s selling memberships to content that claims to “cure” Aphantasia, but we don’t even understand how Aphantasia works, or if having it is even a “bad” thing. In any case, it seems wise not to limit your exploration to this particular site. - [0] https://photographyinsider.info/image-streaming-for-photographers/ https://photographyinsider.info/image-streaming-for-photogra...
reportgunner 3y ago
Even before clicking your link I imagined a red five-pointed star. With my eyes open it looked like image number 6, except the five points where a bit longer/sharper angle. Closing my eyes (also before clicking your link) resulted in something equivalent to 4.
vidarh 3y ago
I'm firmly a 1.

haswell 3y ago

The only way I can make new things with my eyes open is to draw them. I’ve come to rely on visualization tools to help make sense of ideas. I love endless canvas tools like Miro because I can actually work with ideas. When I close my eyes, I see #1. Eyes open vs. eyes closed are two vastly different modes for the brain to operate in. It seems that so much of what we see is based on context, it makes some sense that a fully populated visual field would provide more anchors for thought/visualization. Depending on where you fall on the visualization spectrum, some people have reported the ability to improve their visualization abilities by practicing “Image Streaming” [0], which to me looks like a form of attention training/mindfulness. Editing to add: that site rubs me a bit the wrong way. He’s selling memberships to content that claims to “cure” Aphantasia, but we don’t even understand how Aphantasia works, or if having it is even a “bad” thing. In any case, it seems wise not to limit your exploration to this particular site. - [0] https://photographyinsider.info/image-streaming-for-photographers/ https://photographyinsider.info/image-streaming-for-photogra...

reportgunner 3y ago

Even before clicking your link I imagined a red five-pointed star. With my eyes open it looked like image number 6, except the five points where a bit longer/sharper angle. Closing my eyes (also before clicking your link) resulted in something equivalent to 4.

vidarh 3y ago

I'm firmly a 1.