Welcome to Total Aphantasia. Below are some common questions that we have been receiving (or, expect to receive . . . eventually).
What is Aphantasia?
Aphantasia, is based on the Greek word phantasia, which Aristotle used to describe the power that presents visual imagery to our minds. Recently, it has been used to describe a “condition” where a person has no ability to summon up mental images. That is, these people have no “Mind’s Eye.” The leader in the field is Adam Zeman, Professor of Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology at University of Exeter Medical School. He, Michaela Dewar, and Sergio Della Sala wrote “Lives without imagery – Congenital aphantasia.”
What is Total Aphantasia?
In addition to an inability to create images in their mind, some people also cannot to create sounds, tastes, smells and touch within their mind. This is (unofficially) known as Total Aphantasia.
What is the point of this site?
We’re really not too sure. Source of wisdom? Place to connect? You tell us.
Seriously?
Kind of. Essentially, this is a place for people who have no mental recognition of sights, sounds, smell, tastes and touch. Yep, all five. And, yes, you need to “see” a black wall in your mind when you try and recall any/all of them. Literally zero. An empty wasteland of nothingness, narrated by your own monotone voice. If that doesn’t make sense, then this is not your website.
Can my friends and family join? Apparently they know exactly how to “count sheep,” and can recall the smell of pizza. They think I am crazy, and want to connect with me.
Sure. We’re all here to learn. Good luck. Remember, though, it’s all five senses. Not just imagery.
How do I know if I have total aphantasia?
While several us were experts at playing doctor when we grew up, we are not (yet) medical professionals. At best, we can send you to places were you can decide for yourself. This BBC page is a fun start: Aphantasia: A life without mental images. Good luck with that rabbit hole. We have our our own self test, too, which is wonderfully not academic, at best.
What do you mean when you write that you can’t recall sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touch?
It’s very tough to describe to others, but we can’t do do any of that. We’re still super surprised that you can.
What the difference between “facial blindness” and “total aphantasia?”
Again, we’re still not doctors. One of the best articles on the former was in the New Yorker a while back. That’s definitely not what we have. We can recognize our families on the street when we see them, but if a police sketch artist asked us to describe them for a drawing, we would be completely lost. Add to to that the inability to describe touch, taste, smell and sound . . .
How much money are you making of this site?
Negative dollars, to be exact. If, for some reason, we ever turn a profit, we will give it all away to aphantasia research. We promise. That means that we will likely be sending a check (i.e., cheque) to the University of Exeter Medical School. But, if we ever get that far, we’ll let the community decide where the money should go. Maybe we’ll turn our logo into a mug and/or t-shirt so we can recognize each other on the street. (Get it? First ever aphantasia joke!)
Who founded this site?
In January 2018, a 40-year old guy got a Weekly Brainwave from Mensa which included a link to a NeuroscienceNews.com article titled “Blind in the Mind: Why Some People Can’t See Pictures in their Imagination.” The aforementioned guy then went down the internet rabbit hole and eventually discovered, for the first time in his life, that he had total aphantasia. This guy had some disposable income and was looking for a new hobby; thus this website was born. We’re hope you’re not disappointed.
How did total aphantics design that logo?
With money. No way we could do that ourselves. Money might not buy you happiness, but it can get you a great logo, designed by people who can see things in their head.
What does the logo mean?
So, a mind’s eye, in a brain. The five lines/swirls that make up the brain represent the five senses.
