This is actually the case. It's called aphantasia. Most people can think of a cup and an image of a cup will appear in their mind. People with aphantasia can't do that.

[–] sirimeow@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (4 children)

They still might get a mental concept of a cup pop up though, just not a mental image if that makes sense.

I probably have aphantasia, or at least very close to having it. If someone mentions a cup I can still think about a cup, I just don't "see" it

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I think it's kind of hard to describe if you can't do it. I don't literally see the cup; I'm imagining that I can see the cup. Can you imagine other senses? For example, can you imagine how chocolate tastes, or what it sounds like when somebody's knocking on a door?

[–] rooroo@feddit.org 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I’m in the same boat as the other commenter. I can imagine smells just fine, sounds alright. But images I stick to a general concept of a thing.

It kinda goes with an aphotographic memory as well. I can’t describe what people look like for example and if I try I get it wrong.

[–] sirimeow@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I can't imagine smells much, but sounds I can imagine somewhat.

Oh yes I'm also terrible at describing what people look like. Unless I happened to notice very specific things about them so my mind "took notes" of attributes. But even then I can get it wrong.

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