Photographic Memory

[inspireme]

Do you believe that people can have a photographic memory? What do you suppose causes this? Were they born with that gift, or can it be learned?

[metamorphictrance]

I've known a couple of people with photographic memories, and yes it does exist. Both where from families were formal education and academia was highly prized. Reading was from a very early age and they where taught to think in multiple dimensions. Interestingly, they where both emotionally crippled in that they where unable to emotionally express themselves, and where even afraid to do so. They where particulary sensitive people and lived alone. I wonder if so much energy goes into remembering everything that there is none left for feeling. It seems we all have different abilities for different reasons.

[Robin]

I should say it is a gift.
Myself being a very absent minded person I have often noticed that there are people who just seem to manage to remember exactly where they've seen you right down to the conversation that took place !
I just barely get through placing names and faces and most of the time I bungle it.

[Anahi]

I'm not sure what can cause someone to have a photographic memory. In my case I do remember things and can tell you all about what I saw and read but I forget about it the next day or the next hour. Somtimes I read a book and love it! But a month later I can't remember what the book was about!

[Belgarath]

I knew a kid in high school with a photographic memory. He seemed well adjusted so I don't think there is a connection emotionally. We used to be envious of him because he skated through most of the classes with a lot less effort than most of us did.

[Cecelia]

I have a photographic memory and can still give you the answers for the exercise on volleyball from my Spanish 2 class workbook from over ten years ago if need be.

I am not emotionally inept, although I am not always the type to feel the need to be social just because it is expected. I do also have issues when stressed properly recalling things, and as a result often studied for exams in college and "dumped" my notes onto the first page of the exam. I did start reading early and was tested gifted as well, but I'm by no means the person who will cure cancer.

[metamorphictrance]

I hope I didn't offend anyone by my comment, of observing that both people I knew with photographic memories, where emotionally crippled. I have only known two people with this gift and they both spoke of the difficulties they had in being understood by others, stating that just because they didn't show emotion didn't mean that they didn't feel it. It was simply an observation not a judgement of good or bad. Being extremely emotional myself, with a poor memory, I just found it difficult to relate to them beyond an intellectual level. I might add that I was in awe of their ability. However I am glad that there are people with this gift who are in touch with their feelings and feel a sense of balance in there lives.