American Prestige Hyperfixed - Third Eye Blind
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Nov 27, 2025 
Alex Goldman, a former host of Reply All, joins to discuss his new venture, Hyperfixed. He explores the intriguing topic of aphantasia, talking about Mitchell, who discovers his inability to visualize. The conversation dives into the science of how the brain processes imagery, revealing that individuals with aphantasia can still function normally. In a reassuring twist, Alex shares how these individuals often develop unique strengths in other areas. The episode blends personal storytelling with scientific insights, making for a captivating listen.
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Aphantasia Is A Real Endpoint
- Aphantasia sits at the endpoint of a visualization spectrum where some people have no mind's eye at all.
- Neuroscience shows visualization is a top-down process that some brains cannot drive backward to create imagery.
Visualization Is Perception Reversed
- Visualizing uses the brain in reverse: memory drives the visual cortex rather than incoming eyes driving perception.
- Aphantasia often reflects weak top-down control or integration, not damaged visual hardware.
Patient Case Sparked Discovery
- Adam Zeman describes a patient who lost imagery after a coronary angioplasty and could still perform visual tasks without images.
- That case led Zeman to name and publicize the condition, prompting many lifelong cases to come forward.