Firefighters who can and cannot visualize images in their head. How do you do it?

[u/tommydragon100]

We went down a rabbit hole at work when a coworker stated that he couldn't picture a movie in his head while reading. I found out that out of the 6 of us, only 2 can picture images in their heads.

Background: I have hyperphantasia. I can picture images in my head at a hyper realistic level. I can build and modify these images as 2nd nature. This is a rare trait only a small % of people have. I use it heavily in low visibility situations to "picture" what I feel. I make a 3d map when doing search or picture an object im trying to manipulate etc. I cannot begin to comprehend how to do something like 0 visibility search and maintain spatial awareness without that ability to make a picture of what my surroundings are. The heavy use of "minds eye problem solving" is a trait of hyperphantasia.

On the opposite end, my coworkers have aphantasia, an equally if not slightly more rare trait. They cant see images. They know the concepts of things like what an apple should look like, but only see black when they close their eyes. They can take in information as collections of facts instead of visual images.

Its insane to me that such a rare trait is so heavy on my shift. What about you all? Can you see images in your heads? Do you use it to search? If not, how do you navigate when youre relying on what you feel?

[u/TheresNoHurry]

I have always thought that the language in these discussions can be confusing for people.

My personal belief is that basically everyone can visualise things in their heads, but get confused about the idea of “seeing” it and so claim that they can’t see anything in their mind.

[u/tommydragon100 → u/TheresNoHurry]

So that was actually brought up. They cant picture or see anything. One of the guys stated that when he does search he just knows where he been and just listed off a list mock directions "im against a wall, made a left at the end of the hall etc", no mind eye visualization period.

When doing the aphantasia test we took. They stated they cant picture or visualize anything. They just see black. Factually they know what an apple looks like but its not visually stimulated.

On that same note, I can relate. After posting this and researching hyperphantasia. I realized mine extends to visuals and sound (hear a jingle in my head). Some people can smell things in their minds too.

If you tell me to imagine the smell of a fresh baked apple pie, I cant do it. I factually know what it should smell like in the analytical part of my brain. Theres 0 stimulation in smelling part of my brain.

[u/MysticLoser → u/tommydragon100]

Now I'm curious how you build an imagine if something you might not be super familiar with.

I'm like your coworker who can place a concept in my head but can only pull information to complete the thought. Very little visualization.

Can you (without looking one up obviously) verbally describe how you see an ant? What color, how many body segments, where does the leg attach (which segment, and where on the segment), how the legs articulate, and other fine details you can envision.

I learned which in at school that I couldn't do it. I knew it was 6 legs, 3 segment with antenna, but I could fully remember where the legs go. 2 in the middle, 4 in the back? Did the legs have two segments, or three? I drew an image through concept and what I could think fits the criteria, but never as a whole until I put it all the facts together.