Radiolab Aphantasia
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Jun 14, 2024 
Sindhu Gnanasambandan, a producer with a knack for storytelling, dives into the intriguing world of aphantasia—where some can't visualize images in their minds at all. She uncovers personal narratives that reveal the diverse ways we imagine, and how this affects memory and creativity. The podcast touches on enhancing these mental abilities through science, while contrasting experiences of those with vivid imagery. Prepare to reflect on the spectrum of imagination and the emotional challenges faced by individuals who experience it differently.
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Sindhu's Aphantasia
- Sindhu Gnanasambandan discovered she has aphantasia, the inability to visualize mental images.
- She always thought visualization was metaphorical, experiencing an abstract knowing instead of seeing.
Measuring Imagination
- Joel Pearson discovered a method to measure visual imagination using binocular rivalry.
- Imagining an image beforehand influences which image is perceived in the rivalry, proving the impact of mental imagery.
Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia
- Aphantasia is the inability to create mental images, affecting about 1% of people.
- Hyperphantasia, the opposite, involves vivid mental imagery comparable to real life, affecting 2-3% of people.