I think I know why this is so confusing to talk about (after reading some of that reddit thread). If you can visualize things "normally", as in, think of a red star or a yellow banana on top of a blue table, and it's like you can see it in your mind, then the correct answer is 6, because you can visualize it.
If, however, when I say "think about a red star, try to see it in your mind" (not the inside of your eyelids), and you literally end up just thinking about the characteristics of the star or how to draw it and can't conjure up a mental picture of it, then your answer is 1, because congratulations, your brain is slightly different. People who say 1 because they can't visualize aren't confused, but people who say 1 because they're not literally seeing a star in their eyelids are confused.
Also, in reading the reddit thread, I learned that some people, including some musicians, can't hear music in their heads. Which explains why some people don't get songs stuck in their head the way I do - I hear music quite vividly in my head, almost as real as hearing it in real life (if it's a song that I'm familiar enough with). I also talk in my head constantly, like I often narrate my thoughts, which is probably kind of weird.
Oh, and my visualization powers are the key to what I tell my kids is my superpower - I'm really good at finding things. In particular, I'm very good at bringing up a mental image of the last place I saw something. So I wonder if people who aren't as good at finding things (like my Dad who literally wouldn't see the thing he was looking for in the cupboard right in front of him) might not be as good at visualizing?
So now having read the article, I think "imagining" and seeing a very clear picture IN OUR MIND (not in our eyes), is what's blowing the author's mind. If asked to imagine a beach, my MIND creates an image (in my mind) of a beach. It's not on the back of my eyelids. And the author of the article can't experience that.
ETA: oswin beat me to it, and I think is explaining this much better
I think I know why this is so confusing to talk about (after reading some of that reddit thread). If you can visualize things "normally", as in, think of a red star or a yellow banana on top of a blue table, and it's like you can see it in your mind, then the correct answer is 6, because you can visualize it.
If, however, when I say "think about a red star, try to see it in your mind" (not the inside of your eyelids), and you literally end up just thinking about the characteristics of the star or how to draw it and can't conjure up a mental picture of it, then your answer is 1, because congratulations, your brain is slightly different. People who say 1 because they can't visualize aren't confused, but people who say 1 because they're not literally seeing a star in their eyelids are confused.
Also, in reading the reddit thread, I learned that some people, including some musicians, can't hear music in their heads. Which explains why some people don't get songs stuck in their head the way I do - I hear music quite vividly in my head, almost as real as hearing it in real life (if it's a song that I'm familiar enough with). I also talk in my head constantly, like I often narrate my thoughts, which is probably kind of weird.
I do this all the time and I am so happy I am not the only one. lol
So now having read the article, I think "imagining" and seeing a very clear picture IN OUR MIND (not in our eyes), is what's blowing the author's mind. If asked to imagine a beach, my MIND creates an image (in my mind) of a beach. It's not on the back of my eyelids. And the author of the article can't experience that.
ETA: oswin beat me to it, and I think is explaining this much better
OK, but in your eyelids or in your mind, you say you see it. I wouldn't describe it that way, I guess. I know things about the beach but I wouldn't call it a picture. It could totally be semantics. But to me it's more like a feeling than a sight. IDK.
ETA: And it sounds like that's normal. What I'm still confused by is the people who say they literally see it.
Also, in reading the reddit thread, I learned that some people, including some musicians, can't hear music in their heads. Which explains why some people don't get songs stuck in their head the way I do - I hear music quite vividly in my head, almost as real as hearing it in real life (if it's a song that I'm familiar enough with). I also talk in my head constantly, like I often narrate my thoughts, which is probably kind of weird.
I do this all the time and I am so happy I am not the only one. lol
I do this too. But my husband, who like me is a writer, insists he doesn't even think in words. How is that even possible?
So now having read the article, I think "imagining" and seeing a very clear picture IN OUR MIND (not in our eyes), is what's blowing the author's mind. If asked to imagine a beach, my MIND creates an image (in my mind) of a beach. It's not on the back of my eyelids. And the author of the article can't experience that.
ETA: oswin beat me to it, and I think is explaining this much better
OK, but in your eyelids or in your mind, you say you see it. I wouldn't describe it that way, I guess. I know things about the beach but I wouldn't call it a picture. It could totally be semantics. But to me it's more like a feeling than a sight. IDK.
ETA: And it sounds like that's normal. What I'm still confused by is the people who say they literally see it.
Do you get songs stuck in your head? Can you imagine someone else's voice the way it sounds (like Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones)? When you read, does your brain concur an image of what you're reading about?
Post by cabbagecabbage on Apr 24, 2019 20:59:42 GMT -5
I drew an amazing representation of how I imagine, or how it feels at least (what can I say? I'm extremely talented.) It is not at all visual and bypasses my eyes entirely which see endless dark when they're closed.
OK, but in your eyelids or in your mind, you say you see it. I wouldn't describe it that way, I guess. I know things about the beach but I wouldn't call it a picture. It could totally be semantics. But to me it's more like a feeling than a sight. IDK.
ETA: And it sounds like that's normal. What I'm still confused by is the people who say they literally see it.
Do you get songs stuck in your head? Can you imagine someone else's voice the way it sounds (like Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones)? When you read, does your brain concur an image of what you're reading about?
Yes to all those. Especially the last. I had very strong ideas about say, what Harry Potter's room should look like.
I drew an amazing representation of how I imagine, or how it feels at least (what can I say? I'm extremely talented.) It is not at all visual and bypasses my eyes entirely which see endless dark when they're closed.
Do you get songs stuck in your head? Can you imagine someone else's voice the way it sounds (like Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones)? When you read, does your brain concur an image of what you're reading about?
Yes to all those. Especially the last. I had very strong ideas about say, what Harry Potter's room should look like.
this can become a problem with any book I read that is made into a movie and I am bothered beyond belief when it does not line up to what i envisioned.
cabbagecabbage , that's a really good description and visual of how it works for me. I can envision the star in my brain without actually forming a visual picture of it.
Music is completely different for me. I can hear the song in my head exactly, just the same as if it was coming out of a speaker.
I do this too. But my husband, who like me is a writer, insists he doesn't even think in words. How is that even possible?
I don't even know what that means. lol how does one not even think in words? is it all hieroglyphics in his head??
We have been talking about this off and on for 20 years, and I still don't get it! But he insists it's true. Like when I think words, I am hearing them, but he doesn't do this. What does happen? He can't say. It's all just concepts maybe?
Whoa this is blowing my mind. I have no ability at all to imagine visually. If I picture like a family member, it's basically a series of words - brown short hair, bangs, hazel eyes, etc. - not any sort of visual image. I had no idea that wasn't normal.
I don't even know what that means. lol how does one not even think in words? is it all hieroglyphics in his head??
We have been talking about this off and on for 20 years, and I still don't get it! But he insists it's true. Like when I think words, I am hearing them, but he doesn't do this. What does happen? He can't say. It's all just concepts maybe?
I am such a visual person but there is an auditory thing too. I am very good at remembering lyrics and dialogue from a show or movie, etc. I actually think I would have been a good person to check continuity on movie/tv sets and when i had to testing for learning disabilities, the doctor said i should think about graphic design, possibly in an editorial position. I did not listen to that advice. lol
We have been talking about this off and on for 20 years, and I still don't get it! But he insists it's true. Like when I think words, I am hearing them, but he doesn't do this. What does happen? He can't say. It's all just concepts maybe?
I am such a visual person but there is an auditory thing too. I am very good at remembering lyrics and dialogue from a show or movie, etc. I actually think I would have been a good person to check continuity on movie/tv sets and when i had to testing for learning disabilities, the doctor said i should think about graphic design, possibly in an editorial position. I did not listen to that advice. lol
And I actually was a graphic designer, but can't picture anything precisely. It's weird, though; I have recognized two GBCNers out in the world, just from their sig pics (and this has been confirmed). I know, somehow, what people and things look like, but I can't picture them.
I am such a visual person but there is an auditory thing too. I am very good at remembering lyrics and dialogue from a show or movie, etc. I actually think I would have been a good person to check continuity on movie/tv sets and when i had to testing for learning disabilities, the doctor said i should think about graphic design, possibly in an editorial position. I did not listen to that advice. lol
And I actually was a graphic designer, but can't picture anything precisely. It's weird, though; I have recognized two GBCNers out in the world, just from their sig pics (and this has been confirmed). I know, somehow, what people and things look like, but I can't picture them.
i am good at remembering faces. Sometimes it takes me time to remember from where, but I generally can figure it out. I wish i knew a way to use this to a career advantage. lol (I mean not in a way that now requires a lot of school or something)
Post by twilightmv on Apr 24, 2019 21:48:53 GMT -5
I’m surprised people don’t see things. This is where I go half the day when the inattention part of my ADD kicks in. I’m just imagining stories. I also think in both words and images.
Post by nicbreeful on Apr 24, 2019 21:52:24 GMT -5
When I read a book, I don't see the words. It's like watching a movie. I thought all people did this until my bf at the time told me he's never seen pictures when reading.
George RR Martin used to go to the bf's bar back when GoT first aired and the bf got to talking to him. Martin said that when he reads or writes he doesn't see words either, just pictures like its right in front of him. I thought that was pretty cool.
Just now I didn't see a red star like it was in front of me. But at night when I daydream in bed (lol, which sounds weird) I will literally see what it is that I'm picturing. Like if I imagine a story, it's like I'm in it with people in front of me and talking and doing whatever.
Post by UMaineTeach on Apr 24, 2019 21:52:32 GMT -5
I don’t get what I’m supposed to do, but it feels like this ‘game’ a friend described years ago. Hold your hands like you are holding a ball. Imagine the ball is a ball of fire. Try to take your hands away and let the ball float in the air.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
I don't even know what that means. lol how does one not even think in words? is it all hieroglyphics in his head??
We have been talking about this off and on for 20 years, and I still don't get it! But he insists it's true. Like when I think words, I am hearing them, but he doesn't do this. What does happen? He can't say. It's all just concepts maybe?
From things I've read, words and language are extremely important for thoughts because our brains are able to think much more advanced thoughts and have smarter ideas because of language. Without language our thoughts are fear based or reactionary and that's it. Language means we have a code and framework which our brains use to make complex thoughts. So thinking not in words is like thinking not in thoughts.
OK, but in your eyelids or in your mind, you say you see it. I wouldn't describe it that way, I guess. I know things about the beach but I wouldn't call it a picture. It could totally be semantics. But to me it's more like a feeling than a sight. IDK.
ETA: And it sounds like that's normal. What I'm still confused by is the people who say they literally see it.
Do you get songs stuck in your head? Can you imagine someone else's voice the way it sounds (like Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones)? When you read, does your brain concur an image of what you're reading about?
Songs get stuck in my head but they are all in my own voice. I can’t visualize anything I read, my mom’s face, anything but I’m good at recalling details/directions/lyrics/finding things.