I’m reading a book, Born on a Blue Day, by Daniel Tammet, an aspy savant.
This book is amazing. I’ve not completed the book yet so this is not a review; rather, an introduction.
My friend lent me the book when I was describing, to her, the way I see words in general conversation.
I ascribe snapshots to words. When I listen to someone talk I get a mental image of each word they say. For example: “How many cups of oatmeal does the recipe call for?” ‘How many’ is registered as one word in which I see a classroom full of small children playing with math blocks. ‘Cups’ calls forward a field of multicolored glass cups being filled by rainwater. ‘of’ draws up no image. ‘Oatmeal’ is like a hot spring full of oatmeal… and so on. I have always been drawn to people who speak a mile a minute. Probably because I don’t have to participate too awful much in conversation and to me, it’s like going to the movies!
Until very recently I have believed everyone perceived the world this way. My world is defined in images. When I was 14 or so I learned that my Grandmother’s dreams were in black and white. I was shocked and so was she. I dream in vivid color not only at night but when I hear someone talking my mind produces vivid images. It’s the same when I read a book. I can see the characters and surroundings in great detail. Watching a movie after I’ve read the book is very frustrating because I have a set image in my mind of how everything should be. When my image and the directors images vary I get hung up on these details and lose all enjoyment for the show. Ah well, that’s another reason why books are better!
More about this book when I’ve completed it…
