A closer look at extraordinary memory
Some people, such as memory competition champions, do have extraordinary memories. They can memorize thousands of digits or entire decks of cards in minutes. Their feats are real, but they don’t come from a memory that takes mental snapshots.
Instead, these people rely on strategies – mental frameworks built through thousands of hours of deliberate practice to scaffold their memory in specific domains. Without these strategies and in other aspects of life, their recall looks pretty much like everyone else’s. Experts’ performance reflects better methods, not different machinery.
In the scientific literature, the ability that comes closest to photographic memory is eidetic imagery: a form of visual mental imagery in which people claim they can briefly continue to “see” pictures they carefully studied and that are then removed from view.
This ability is rare, is seen mostly in children, and usually disappears by adolescence. Even at its peak, however, it falls short of the Hollywood ideal. Eidetic images fade quickly and are not perfectly accurate. They can include distortions and even details that were not seen.
It’s exactly what you’d expect from a reconstructive memory system – and exactly what you would not expect from a literal recording.
2026-05-05
I have to admit, I always thought of this as incredible to have. But evidently it has its disadvantages.
2026-05-03
Well 4 down for the Habs.
12 more to go.
But as my brother said, they have taken great strides.
Buffalo Sabres up next.
2026-05-02
I hadn't spoken much about this.
Mostly because there are folks like Margaret Kimberley who do a far better job at it.
2026-04-30
Amazing how a loss of electricity can affect you.
Obviously it's been that way my whole life, and before that for quite some time.
But in today's day and age, with so many aspects of life now dependent on the Internet ... well ...
I have to remind myself...
... on days like this ... I have responsibilities to take care of, and people who depend on me.
It means getting up early to drive to an office to minimize the time spent on the road.
It means sifting through tons of emails to sort out issues created by psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists, and help support moving things along.
It means knowing that leaving to head back in the middle of the day is done so at the ire of those above me, despite the fact that legally my employer cannot track how many hours I am supposed to be at the office. I do this for the same reasons as above - to minimize the time spent on the road.
It means creating processes to support moving things along, only to have those overrun and ignored by those above, at their discretion.
I have to accept all this - why? Because right now I have no choice.
Getting through tomorrow means surviving today. And I know what I want to do with my tomorrows.
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