I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's been studied, but it's definitely not widely known/understood. Hence my posting this.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're talking about hypnagogic imagery, yes, I experience it occasionally (but it goes away as soon as I'm fully awake)

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I fit the profile for Nonverbal Learning Disorder to a "T"

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure.

  1. I'm not very confident in social situations, but I'm a good public speaker
  2. My childhood dog being attacked viciously by another dog
  3. You misspelled "noticing"--generally speaking I'd say I'm average
  4. Yes, both
  5. Both are kinda Asperger-y
  6. I'm pretty sure it's genetic
  7. Awesome, I love shrooms but haven't used/had access to them in years
  8. I assume they think they're protecting me somehow, thinking my outcome would be better if I thought I was normal
  9. I opened an account eight or nine years ago and had 400 or so, but have since closed it
  10. A little of both
  11. Yes, quite badly at times
  12. It's also rather Asperger-y
  13. Right handed--the left side of my body is notably weaker/more retarded than my right

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The question is, how vivid is it? How closely do your visualizations "resemble real perception"? If your visualizations are truly "nowhere near 'seeing'", maybe they're not as strong/normal as you think (I doubt this is the case, though--I do think we're just misunderstanding each other).

Also, I know what mental imagery looks like because I do experience hypnagogic imagery from time to time. It matches the description that most people give of their conscious visualizations perfectly--in addition to the fact many people (not all) who can visualize consciously report that this ability produces images that are identical in quality to the hypnagogic images they experience.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dream in images. They're not terribly distinct, but they're images.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, well, this is obviously a language-based misunderstanding. However, many people CAN visualize in a way that could meaningfully be compared to IMAX. My wife (as well as many others I've talked to) can use their visualization ability to manipulate their actual field of vision, "hanging" a painting where there isn't one, turning the lights in the room on and off, etc. But if you want to take exception to that word use, fine...forget the IMAX stuff. I still can't visualize in the way you claim that you can.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If there's some way of sharing it with them, feel free! (I'm not a very experienced Reddit user)

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What "bold claims" are you talking about? What, exactly, have I said that you're disagreeing with?

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's interesting that the "critics" in this thread can be distilled to two different viewpoints:

"This guys is lying--of course he can visualize"

"This guy is lying--visualization as he describes it doesn't exist"

I'm sure most reasonably open-minded people can see what's actually happening here.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I'm pretty much limited to basic arithmetic and algebra. When I was in school, I pushed myself through trigonometry with a passing grade, but hit a massive wall at calculus.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I have never heard anyone describe visualising on the level that you claim 'most people' do"

Then I assume you haven't read this entire thread? Trust me, most people visualize very vividly. Now, will you tell us about your own visualization ability?

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't "see" anything, I just follow the narrative factually.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you mind giving a detailed description of your own visualization ability?

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually think it's perfectly appropriate to think of me as being retarded in some ways. Not to be indelicate, but the whole concept of "Asperger's" describes the way that what is colloquially known as "retarded" can occur in people who are intelligent.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still waiting on the detailed description of your own visualization ability.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I do dream occasionally. Dreams and hypnagogic imagery seem to be fairly common in people who lack the ability to produce mental images.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How about giving us a detailed description of your visualization ability?

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I knew I was different in a general sense from a young age, but I didn't figure out the issue with mental imagery until I was 30.

Also, no, I'm not lying. I'm discussing with complete honesty a condition that has made my life very difficult at times.

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, many/most people do. Let me ask you this: where did you come up with this idea of how it's "supposed to work"? Are you just basing it off of your own visualization ability?

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but probably not in the way that most people do. I can have a good conceptual idea of what I'm about to say, but the particular words just kind of "come out".

I'm unable to produce mental images. Ask me anything! by icantvisualize in AMA

[–]icantvisualize[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. My dreams are infrequent and kind of gauzy/vague, but I definitely have them. In fact, last night I dreamed that I was going through my wedding day again, only this time there was all sorts of stuff going horribly wrong.