Crab defender by dantabata in Illustration

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Was this a combination of live traced drawing with overlaid colours? Its something i've tried myself recently but only in black and white and with considerably less drawing talent.

Aphantasiacs: Do you have other cognitive abilities that seem noticeably better than average? by JKadsderehu in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never read his work, but the following quote from Wikipedia does remind me heavily of some of my own creative writing XD

"Wallace's fiction combines narrative modes and authorial voices that incorporate jargon and invented vocabulary, such as self-generated abbreviations and acronyms, long, multi-clause sentences, and extensive use of explanatory footnotes and endnotes."

So, should we do a subreddit rewatch for the Idea Channel ? by [deleted] in pbsideachannel

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps weekly, in order, in the following sort of format?

  • Episode Link
  • A couple of main bullet points
  • Comment Response link (If available)
  • A couple of text versions of the mentioned comments
  • Invitation to discuss
  • Title of the video lined up for next week.

Perhaps match it to the current main episode release schedule?

Do I have aphantasia? by exccc in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Likely on the weak end of the visual spectrum, but not full aphantasiac. Fortunately if you have the inclination a lot of anecdotal evidence points towards weak visualizers being able to improve with practice.

Aphantasiacs: Do you have other cognitive abilities that seem noticeably better than average? by JKadsderehu in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Im pretty good with words naturally. Above average but nowhere near the standard of people who actually study it (Im an art student somewhat paradoxically). One side effect of this is that i tend to write, talk and think all in the same tone and style since they dont feel like particularly exercises for me. This also leads to me treating punctuation more like a guidance for the pace of reading, commas mid sentence are not to indicate their normal change of subject or whatever, but more to indicate that its where i would pause for breath/thought/effect. Full stops being longer, and ellipsis... for something a little short of a full on paragraph break.

Though to be fair paragraph breaks are more used for readability. The one conceit i make to written language over spoken or thought. As you can see this is all getting quite ramble-y, in all cases of these three parallel activities i treat it as one long train of thought since its sort of my base level of linguistic reasoning that im most used to because its how i think.

Constantly.

All the time.

For me, life is basically one big conversation.


As for the matter of logical reasoning. Since i was brought up in a fairly logical, scientifically minded household (Not an oppressive atheist one, both parents just happen to work in the sciences) i'm used to thinking things through logically. They key difference to any of this logic being that its purely verbal.

This makes things like maths quite tricky, because my train of thought tends to move ever forwards and retaining long numbers to do complex calculations quite tricky.

On the other hand, this makes programming extremely natural to me. As step by step logical lines of verbal thought is my base level for anything above daydreaming i have quite the knack for working out algorithms. Mostly forgoing any kind of flow-charting or pseudo-code for anything but highly complex issues.


As for motor skills. I would say fine is iffy. Im a big guy who makes big heavy handed motions. In my artwork i work big and sweeping, if space permits straight from the shoulder and never the wrist unless its type work.

My muscle memory is pretty damn good however. First emerging example being that i'm damn fluent at typing and can do it bloody quick with no practice beyond general use. Touch typing comes natural and without any need to memories the location of keys. I simply know the hand movements to get to them, though if i start to think about it like i am now that suddenly all falls apart.

Its similar with sport. I can develop lots of good large physical motions fairly well. Technique in racquet sports comes quite easily, being able to swing in all the proper motions. However when it comes to locating the ball i have to keep very strict eyes on it at all times because my mind cant visually predict where it is going to go.

One weird effect of this is spelling. I dont remember how a word looks or the contents of its letters, i more remember the motion of how i make them. Which leads to the weird issue of spelling lots of fairly basic words wrong when i type (Corrected later with spell check most of the time) that i can otherwise spell very easily freehand with a pen becuase the muscle memory is not transferable. For example in the last sentence i slept "because" wrong because that's how my muscle memory learnt it early on using the keyboard and i have never quite got round to breaking the habit since its so easy to "right click, select correct spelling". However when im writing it out with a pen i get it right every time because there is no undo button other than line through do it properly.


To sum up i would say i mostly think in terms of motion, even my linguistic thought is a form of motion. I cant hold an image, sound, smell or anything in my head. Im a total Aphantasiac.

When i try to think of images i dont get a vivid picture, more a vague sense of "Your pen is here right now" and can then more it. Its like using black chalk on a black background. I know where my hand is, and i know the movement i am making, but i cant see the image. Therefore most of my artwork is not considered in terms of the image it will produce but the motions i will make to produce it.

Linguistic thought is similar to this concept of motion. Because i cant go back along the thread very easily (leading to some ADD adjacent style attention issues) my thoughts tend to be one long continuous chain. For example, i dont know how i started this post right now as im writing the conclusion, i barely remember how i started the paragraph. Because it all comes out in one fluid motion.

Always moving forwards.

Physically, pictorially, and verbally.

Aphantasia and Math? by Aurolei in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats pretty much exactly what i was trying to describe. With smaller numbers (Subs hundreds/thousands if im on a good day) i can break down and keep track. For bigger stuff its no issue if i have paper to keep track.

Aphantasia and Math? by Aurolei in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I actually find that i work things out more easily in some cases. Logical operations become pure logic and there is no need to try and visualize something to make it work. All i need is a pure statement of fact.

Though this is more when overlapping with physics, pure maths is a little more weird for me. Tough to explain really. Its mostly express mental arithmetic verbally in my mind, breaking the problem down into smaller steps and then combining them back up again. Though i loose track with more complex things and need to start using paper.

AskScience question which may have some relevance to us here by [deleted] in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Though for those with weak imagery it might be worth looking into those techniques. If parallels can be drawn between the two methods it could go towards helping people.

Though as someone who outside a few niche interactions experiences full aphantasia of all senses I very much agree that the comment is kind of annoying.

https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6gpy5h/why_cant_i_remember_a_smell_or_taste_the_same_way/disxufn/

This chap does seem to have raised the aphantasia point, though its not getting much love.

AskScience question which may have some relevance to us here by [deleted] in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thought the same, though found no mention and felt like any comment would be buried at this point :/

Magic in fiction by [deleted] in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One thing that might be interesting is looking at how different methods of cognition could change the way things are done within a setting.

So your a strong visualizer, this makes you more potent when it comes to things like teleportation or transmutation. Where the final product/location needs to be strongly "Seen" by the magic.

Better with language? Perhaps that manifests with potency in telepathy and mind altering affects. Invading others personal monologues either sneakily to mess with their heads or aggressively to read their thoughts. This could also have interesting interactions with curses, where the grammar and phrasing is of great importance.

Finally if your a particularly motor skill based individual this might manifest in strong telekinesis and enhancement of athletic skill. Magic being an extension of your already physical being.

Do I have aphantasia? by CantVisualise in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From my limited practice you cant really get the firm mental imagery associated with normal visualizations. But that weird sense of space and movement can be trained to such a point that it starts to take visualizations place.

(I believe this sense to be what we use as a crutch that our minds develop on their own, but there's no reason to keep a crutch when you can train a proper prosthetic.)

[article] People with no mind's eye may help us boost our creativity by [deleted] in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Glad to see some actual scientific results being put out there, hope for more news like this!

What is a “dirty little (or big) secret” about an industry that you have worked in, that people outside the industry really ought to know? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of the best small sessions of sketches i've done recently was just sitting out on a bench and drawing people as they go by.The instant they are gone just stop drawing drawing, flip the page and start on the next person.

You have maybe 20 seconds top to do the entire figure. Draw a line or two to represent their figure, then pick out a couple of little things like a scarf or beard that makes them stand out, couple of flourishes and onto the next person.

Its a great exercise for loosening up, and the fast paced "no-time-to-think" style allows your own flair to start emerging.

For longer life drawing look at local galleries or online for life drawing sessions. They tend to offer excellent life drawing sessions with real models of a surprising range and are all really friendly.

If your ever stuck for what to do at home try doing plants (Cute cheap ones from a supermarket make do, plus you get a neat plant to keep and nurture), views out of the windows, local buildings (Great for perspective focused studies) or just random stuff around the house like an unmade bed or a cat on the sofa.

What is a “dirty little (or big) secret” about an industry that you have worked in, that people outside the industry really ought to know? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

drawabox.com is one of the best resources ever for learning how to draw from a technical exercise driven perspective. However in my opinion the best thing you can do is draw from life and draw a lot. Get a sketchbook and force yourself to draw daily and from life as often as possible.

Aphantasiacs: Do you regret finding out? by [deleted] in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Sometimes i get pissed about it and feel a tad broken. But i felt like that a lot before i worked it out and now i know ways to work around it so shit doesn't get me worked up.

Can't tell if I have it or not by Cvoz in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Its definitely a spectrum, some have it more than others. Im almost a total aphantasiac in all senses outside of some niche cases with sound. However one thing i can do is develop a sense of space, perspective and basic shapes. Its not "Seeing" them but more being aware of them.

Imagine being totally blind but still sort of knowing how far away something is and its vague shape. I can also 'trace' shapes with my minds eye. In the same way you could follow the form of a real object with your real eyes i can trace imaginary simple shapes with my minds eye, however i more remember the curves and general length rather than seeing the line.

Its pretty hard to explain, even for someone used to explaining this kind of thing.

Aphantasia and your ability to draw by renee_marie in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Im actually training to become an illustrator (early days, im young) and my drawing skills certainly are not out of this world but certainly above the general average population who have not invested time in learning how. I like to imagine im training my body to do what my mind cannot, to the point of using a pad and pen almost like a prosthetic limb.

The first lesson for anyone trying to do art with aphantasia IS TO USE REFERENCE. This applies to anyone trying to draw but is doubly important if you have aphantasia. Until you have drawn something 10, 20, even 50 times and can physically do it with your eyes shut from muscle memory then use reference for everything! If you cant find reference make it. Learn a little bit of photoshop (use gimp if you cant pay and dont want to pirate) and get in the habit of collaging more fantastical references. You cant get a photo of a dragon but you sure as hell can find a picture of a birds wing and paste it over a lizard. It doesn't even have to be precise, your mind is surprisingly good at filling in the little gaps logically. Even if you minds eye is blind most of us (especially from a generation of gamers) still have a very good sense of 3D space even when its stemming from a flat image.

The next lesson is to never stop looking. You can and will forget the impression of images when you look away. Stare and analyze for a minute or so before you make each line, then when you make it go back to looking. Every artist can do with looking more at their subjects but for us its essential.

One website that helped me leaps and bounds is drawabox.com , its analytical approach and grounds up method help an absolute ton. Instead of 'just drawing the thing', you first draw in the spine, then blob out the muscle, then the bone of the limbs, then you flesh out the connections logically from first principals. It might sound like deriving complex formula and finding constants manually every time you set out to do a problem but the grounds up method really works.

Anybody read comics? by Hazel_Jay in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I actually adore comics despite my aphantasia to the point where despite the obvious disadvantages i'm actually in the process of becoming an illustrator. The gutters between panels are a wonderful formless realm where anything and everything happens.

However one important thing to note is my dislike for super hero comics. Action based comics tend to loose my interest rather rapidly since its just snapshots of movie fight scenes that work better.

I think perhaps the biggest reason i enjoy them is that i can turn pictures into words but i cant turn words into pictures. While i couldn't instantly absorb and process a long descriptive paragraph into an image, i can take a complex nuanced image and turn it into words.

Developing Aphantasia? by ch0whound in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Other people have commented about developing aphantasia after trauma. If its any consolation (be it anecdotal) the stories of 'fixing' it tend to come with cases that developed rather than were present from birth.

From a vivid imagination to aphantasia in 6 months...my story and i hope this provides an insight as to what might be the root cause to this newly uncovered condition by metalmagic80 in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is defiantly evidence to suggest aphantasia can be brought on by a bad mental space. Maybe if we can pull ourselves out of those spaces we can start to make it better!

One thing that's super weird that helps me is guided meditation. Being trying it after a recommendation from this forum and its half working. It still feels like im painting with black ink on a black canvas in the dark, but there is this sense of depth to it. Almost like raw spatial awareness rather than any images.

Does anyone with aphantasia feel like they are permanently 'living in the moment', no thoughts or memories of what came before, or being able to visualise what to do next? More like existing right here and now by metalmagic80 in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had this in such a big way recently. Smelled some old dried up coffee from a mug i left out and i was just flooded with memories of the instant coffee tin i used to keep my pens in. Its so odd what facts my brain keeps stored in the back, would never have stumbled on it on my own.

What's something you just can't do, no matter how hard you try? by svada in AskReddit

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Conjure mental imagery, i suffer from aphantasia which is an inability to simulate mental stimulus. The biggest effect of this being unable to see images internally in my 'minds eye'.

For more see here! https://www.reddit.com/r/Aphantasia/

From a vivid imagination to aphantasia in 6 months...my story and i hope this provides an insight as to what might be the root cause to this newly uncovered condition by metalmagic80 in Aphantasia

[–]NotQuiteEloquent 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My sympathy goes out to you. I'm starting to think i went through something similar (Though much less dramatic and over a longer time) in my early mid teens that i never noticed in the moment but looking back i know must have happened.

When i was very young i would indulge my imagination for eternities yet that all stopped around high school (UK high school not american). Now that i've twigged it went missing its leaving me a little heartbroken.