Larissa MacFarquhar
Staff writer for The New Yorker who reported the feature article 'Some People Can’t See Mental Images. The Consequences Are Profound' on aphantasia and mental imagery.
Best podcasts with Larissa MacFarquhar
Ranked by the Snipd community
Dec 12, 2025 • 45min
Why some people can’t picture stuff in their heads
Larissa MacFarquhar, a staff writer for The New Yorker and expert on human behavior, delves into aphantasia, a condition where individuals cannot visualize mental images. She discusses the emotional impact of this inability, from curiosity to profound loss, and its historical obscurity. Larissa reveals how aphantasia affects memory and daily life, including challenges with face recognition and its potential ties to trauma. She also explores increasingly vivid imagery in hyperphantasia and shares insights on the search for treatments, highlighting the variety of human experiences.
Nov 12, 2025 • 55min
Living Without a Mind's Eye and the Ability to Visualize
Larissa MacFarquhar, a staff writer for The New Yorker, and Tom Ebeyer, founder of the Aphantasia Network, dive into the intriguing world of aphantasia—where individuals can't conjure mental images. They explore the spectrum of mental imagery, from aphantasia to hyperphantasia, and share personal journeys of discovery. Larissa reveals how aphantasics create art and recall memories differently, while Tom discusses literacy in children with aphantasia. The conversation highlights the unique perspectives and experiences shaped by this condition.
