Comments on: A Super-Recognizer I’m Not

By: rachelhamm

rachelhamm — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:48:04 +0000

this is really starting to freak me out. I have an UNCANNY ability for recognizing actors and knowing what other films, television shows they were in- EVEN IF I HAVEN’T SEEN THE OTHER MOVIE/SHOW. I don’t seem to have the same problem of not recognizing people in social situations though, maybe that’s because I’m the one people tend to forget. I swear people have to meet me at least 3 or 4 times before they remember who I am. It had given me a bit of a complex, but after reading this blog, I feel a little better about it- it’s not a personal slight against me!

By: Claire

Claire — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:31:16 +0000

I’ve done the directory trick too and it does help if I can remember the parent/child connection which I can’t always. My problem is I still can’t always tell the different KIDS apart either. In fact, my daughter was just making fun of me for getting all “the dark-haired boys” in her class confused. (I know all the girls and their mothers, but it’s taken me SEVEN years.) I’ve been known to stay home and watch Nickelodeon shows with my kids when I should be out socializing. Disney Channel too . . .

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:49:37 +0000

I just keep my school directories nearby. I can usually figure out the kid’s name by asking my son or daughter. Then I go home and look them up in the directory and the parent’s names are listed too. After about the 4th time I get the name down

As I am typing this I am a ball of anxiety getting ready to go to a party where I know about 5 people. I hope I remember their names, reading this is making me nervous. Maybe I will stay home and watch the new episode of iCarly with the kids.

By: Claire

Claire — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:40:03 +0000

I don’t think my anxiety is an adrenalin-fueled flight or fight kind of thing. I think it more takes the form of a complicated inner monologue: “I should say something witty but not self-centered. Oh, wait, I know that person but how? Shoot, which of the two tall blonds is she? I’m hungry. How do I get away without being rude? I think the tag is sticking out on my top but if I fix it I’ll look stupid.” And so on. The voice inside my head blocks out a lot of information I should be absorbing. That’s how I see it, anyway.

By: Colin Summers

Colin Summers — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:26:26 +0000

The difference between real people and actors could be that one is in three dimensions and one is in two dimensions (aping three dimensions).

When you are scared, the adrenalin HELPS you remember things. Helps you create the memories. That makes sense, since remembering WHERE the lion is lying in wait on the path up to the fruit trees is important. They’ve done studies about cramming for a test (and you are scared) versus very sedate, drawn out studying. Cramming works better, apparently. Ask Ted, he was the one who told me about it.