Spatial Sequence Synesthesia

[sunshine05]

I recently discovered that I have this. For a long time I assumed everyone saw days, months, dates, etc. visually like I do but when I started asking people on occasion, nobody understood what i was talking about. Well, now I know there are others out there who also see a visual pattern like I do. So....I was wondering if anyone else has this.

It is pretty interesting how the mind works!

http://www.synesthesiatest.org/blog/spatial-sequence-synesthesia

From the article:

Do you visualize numerical sequences in physical space? How ’bout days of the week, months in the year, or years in the past decade? If Wednesday’s floating to your left, and 1999 is situated just above your head, you may be experiencing spatial sequence synesthesia. Since several readers have inquired about this form, I thought it appropriate for a post topic. As far as tests go, there isn’t a whole lot to discuss. This form is relatively self-explanatory. Perhaps some of you, though, who’ve had similar experiences, mightn’t have thought them to be synesthetic. Let’s dive a little deeper!

Sequences in Physical Space

When we talk about visualizing sequences in physical space, we’re not talking about outer space. If you can see that far, you’re dealing with something far more esoteric and mystifying than synesthesia. In fact, we’re talking about the space around you – your “bubble”, if you will. If – when it comes to numbers, dates, and sequences – you visualize entities in your immediate vicinity, there’s a fair chance that you’re familiar with this type.


Spatial sequence synesthetes might have a tough time convincing their friends and family members that they’re seeing what they claim to be seeing. However, Dr. David Eagleman (http://eagleman.com/) has no trouble believing in this phenomenon; after all, he is a neuroscientist (working at the Baylor College of Medicine, no less). Appropriately enough, Dr. Eagleman’s lab has actually developed a sort of virtual reality, in which synesthetes can map their spatial visualizations. The findings are quite interesting; you can get a quick briefing by reading his abstract (http://www.mendeley.com/research/objectification-overlearned-sequences-new-view-spatial-sequence-synesthesia/). There are several takeaways, of course. What I find most compelling (and in hindsight intuitive) is that the research supported “the possibility that SSS is directly related to the sequence representations in nonsynesthetes” (Eagleman, 2009). Month visualizations, for instance, were generally mapped from left to right, which is consistent with the “directional bias” of Western speakers.

A Memory Advantage?

One study, conducted by Julia Simner of the University of Edinburgh in the UK, found that spatial sequence synesthetes have a built-in and automatic (http://www.synesthesiatest.org/blog/synesthetic-experiences-involuntary-consistent) mnemonic reference. In other words, where the nonsynesthete needs to create a mnemonic device to remember a sequence (like “Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally.”), the synesthete can simply reference their spatial visualizations. Read the full coverage of this study on ScienceMag.org (http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/12/14-02.html). It’s worth the five minutes it takes to peruse. So, really, there is a subtle memory advantage. It isn’t eidetic (or photographic), though.
~ This is certainly one of the most interesting forms of synesthesia that I’ve written on, and I’d love to learn more. Feel free to share your experiences anonymously, if you’d like! I’ve been tossing around the idea of publishing a collection of anonymous synesthetic experiences, with the thought that it might be beneficial for others to reference. Of course, all experiences published would be with the permission of the sharer, and (as I mentioned) each synesthetic experience would be published anonymously. Do share your thoughts on this, loyal readers!
That’s all for now, though! Whether tomorrow’s on your left or on your right, make it a fabulous day!

[Old Herb Lady]

interesting. Nope don't have that ! I have a photographic memory, tho. it's a freakin curse.
Id rather forget.

[sunshine05]

interesting. Nope don't have that ! I have a photographic memory, tho. it's a freakin curse.
Id rather forget.

The spatial thing doesn't bother me. I couldn't imagine *not* having this ability now since it is all I know.

My 7 year old son seems to have a photographic memory. An example - he drew all the planets the other day and then after labeling them, he put the exact numeric diameter for each, not copying from a book. He knew them. I was amazed! He said he doesn't know how he remembers things like that.

[horseshoe3]

I see the year as a circular object. Jan. 1 is at the top and the year goes counter clockwise. Most people see it as clockwise. I don't know why I'm different.

I also have an uncanny knack for remembering numbers. I can tell you the yield of each of my fields since I started farming 14 years ago.

[k-os]

I see the year as a circular object. Jan. 1 is at the top and the year goes counter clockwise. Most people see it as clockwise. I don't know why I'm different.

I also have an uncanny knack for remembering numbers. I can tell you the yield of each of my fields since I started farming 14 years ago.

I was going to ask if it helps with memory. I've heard of synestesia before, but I didn't know there were different types. It seems really cool!

Old Herb Lady, even though not being able to remember things gets me into trouble sometimes, I swear, I wouldn't want it any other way. I can't imagine carrying around everything someone ever said, etc. No thanks. I would like to remember the good stuff. Hahaha.

[joboo]

Here's an example I found on the net. Most people see "for sale by owner"...some see something else.

http://cdn-www.i-am-bored.com/media/for-sale-my-boner.jpg

[Hillbilly]

That's really interesting. I think I have a touch of that too. When I think about my life I see it as this twisty physical time line in my head. I just wonder now if there are any way or tricks I can take advantage of this for learning in or memory.

[Old Herb Lady]

I was going to ask if it helps with memory. I've heard of synestesia before, but I didn't know there were different types. It seems really cool!

Old Herb Lady, even though not being able to remember things gets me into trouble sometimes, I swear, I wouldn't want it any other way. I can't imagine carrying around everything someone ever said, etc. No thanks. I would like to remember the good stuff. Hahaha.

I agree with you 100%. that's why I said its a curse. I feel that when you can forget things you are blessed, you have no idea. I just don't understand. Thank you for sharing, I have to work very, very hard to block stuff out, it's too much. :(

[k-os]

I agree with you 100%. that's why I said its a curse. I feel that when you can forget things you are blessed, you have no idea. I just don't understand. Thank you for sharing, I have to work very, very hard to block stuff out, it's too much. :(

Sorry for your curse, but you gotta admit, there's an upside to it. Like how I can ask you what would be some good natural medicine for hypertension, and boom! You've got a detailed list off the top of your head. :) That's gotta be pretty cool.

Still, I wouldn't trade with you, but at the same time I am a little envious. How's that possible? :cool:

[sunshine05]

I see the year as a circular object. Jan. 1 is at the top and the year goes counter clockwise. Most people see it as clockwise. I don't know why I'm different.

I also have an uncanny knack for remembering numbers. I can tell you the yield of each of my fields since I started farming 14 years ago.

I see days of the week clockwise and like you, months are counter-clockwise. When I think about a timeframe, a specific date, I visualize the exact spot on the oval.

I see life events by my age and it's a ribbon pattern that curves beginning at age 29 (before age 29, it's a straight line), then it curves by decade. So strange! So when I think of something in the past or future, I picture that location on the ribbon with a visual memory of whatever I'm remembering.

[Santa]

This is so cool. I never heard of this before. I don't have it that I'm aware of. I think I'm more like K-os. My memory can be terrible.
I've got no control over what I remember. The memory just pops into my head and pops out again as if it belongs to someone else.

[sunshine05]

This is so cool. I never heard of this before. I don't have it that I'm aware of. I think I'm more like K-os. My memory can be terrible.
I've got no control over what I remember. The memory just pops into my head and pops out again as if it belongs to someone else.

Before I ever discussed this with anyone, I assumed everyone saw things this way. What I don't understand is - how do people see days, months and dates in their mind if not by some visual method? It's difficult for me to imagine not seeing things this way and I think I would be very disorganized.

You know, there is another version of this specific to colors. Some people see letters and numbers in colors. (I don't). It is really interesting.

I'm going to have to contact family members to see if anyone else sees things like I do. There is supposed to be a hereditary component. I read that more women than men have this and even more left handed women (I am).

[k-os]

I see days of the week clockwise and like you, months are counter-clockwise. When I think about a timeframe, a specific date, I visualize the exact spot on the oval.

I see life events by my age and it's a ribbon pattern that curves beginning at age 29 (before age 29, it's a straight line), then it curves by decade. So strange! So when I think of something in the past or future, I picture that location on the ribbon with a visual memory of whatever I'm remembering.

I am completely fascinated by all of this!

I also think it's interestingly coincidental that you and horseshoe3 both have numbers in your usernames. In fact, I am pretty sure I have nearly mistaken you two before . . . way back when.

[sunshine05]

Here's another interesting link that describes the different versions of this. I only have the spatial number thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

[k-os]

I'm going to have to contact family members to see if anyone else sees things like I do. There is supposed to be a hereditary component. I read that more women than men have this and even more left handed women (I am).

When reading your original post I thought to myself "what if this is some sort of evolution of the mind?".

[sunshine05]

I am completely fascinated by all of this!

I also think it's interestingly coincidental that you and horseshoe3 both have numbers in your usernames. In fact, I am pretty sure I have nearly mistaken you two before . . . way back when.

Yes, I can remember a person's phone number that I haven't called in 20 years.

My son - I think he may have this too because his ability to remember numbers is difficult to comprehend. Over the wknd I needed to update my webmail password and was prompted with an 8 digit number. I knew I wouldn't remember it so I told my older son to write it down for me. An hour or so later, I said "oh, I need that password again". I was about to get up and search for the piece of paper (we were staying at a hotel). I didn't have to because my 7 year old said "it's xxxxxxxx". He knew it! How??? (he wasn't anywhere close to the paper where it was written down). I'm amazed.

But the way I found out about this synesthesia is a friend noticed her daughter was talking about colors of numbers while doing a math assignment. So when I searched for info on it, I found the spatial form of it and couldn't believe it. I never knew anyone studied this or that there was a name for it.

[Santa]

how do people see days, months and dates in their mind if not by some visual method?

I don't think I see any of those things. For me, those concepts have no form. Weirdness!
I must remember them phonetically, or maybe I relate a month to a sensation, like July/sweat or January/shiver???

But I have to admit I'm pretty much a complete moron when it comes to numbers, dates and times.

[Sparky]

I recently discovered that I have this. For a long time I assumed everyone saw days, months, dates, etc. visually like I do but when I started asking people on occasion, nobody understood what i was talking about. Well, now I know there are others out there who also see a visual pattern like I do. So....I was wondering if anyone else has this.
...

How do your visuals sort out short-, medium-, and long-term memory? For instance, do you have this week's daily visuals in front of you at all time, but if you have to remember something from 1995, do you only have a 1995 visual which you then open up visually to see individual months and days? In other words, how is it that your visuals aren't all cluttered?

[Santa]

When reading your original post I thought to myself "what if this is some sort of evolution of the mind?".

This is an interesting idea.

Not to change the subject, but I've wondered that same thing about psychopathy as well. A detachment from one's conscience. Dissociation brought on by a lessening of need for bonding with others in modern society. A dehumanization process that is an unfortunate consequence of technological advancement.

[sunshine05]

How do your visuals sort out short-, medium-, and long-term memory? For instance, do you have this week's daily visuals in front of you at all time, but if you have to remember something from 1995, do you only have a 1995 visual which you then open up visually to see individual months and days? In other words, how is it that your visuals aren't all cluttered?

For me, it's mostly about seeing days and months in a specific location. They have the same location for each year. If I'm thinking about a past event, say high school graduation - I picture my age and where I was on the time ribbon and I may also picture graduation time (late May) on my oval.

Nothing gets cluttered because it's not like it's sitting there. I only go to that place when I have a memory from that time. Does that make sense?

I should draw it sometime, what it looks like to me.

Days are easy - for a given week I can see what I did and where it sits in my visual space on the "week oval". I can even see ahead and visualize what my plans are for next week and I see that location with a visual of what I have planned.

[k-os]

This is an interesting idea.

Not to change the subject, but I've wondered that same thing about psychopathy as well. A detachment from one's conscience. Dissociation brought on by a lessening of need for bonding with others in modern society. A dehumanization process that is an unfortunate consequence of technological advancement.

Buzzkillington! Take that kinda talk somewhere else. This is a cool thread, don't you go foul it up with psychopaths. That's what the entire rest of GSUS is for.

I am only half kidding. :) You could be onto something with your idea. It seems possible, but it is depressing to think about it.

[Hillbilly]

I see days of the week clockwise and like you, months are counter-clockwise. When I think about a timeframe, a specific date, I visualize the exact spot on the oval.

I see life events by my age and it's a ribbon pattern that curves beginning at age 29 (before age 29, it's a straight line), then it curves by decade. So strange! So when I think of something in the past or future, I picture that location on the ribbon with a visual memory of whatever I'm remembering.

Yes this is exactly how I see the decades of my life like a big ribbon. so cool

[k-os]

Yes this is exactly how I see the decades of my life like a big ribbon. so cool

What is going on here? I feel so left out. You guys are all evolved and I just have this monkey brain, with no cool special effects.

I wonder what the odds are that with our small group of regulars here, that we'd have a collection of you 'synesthetes'?

I am so intrigued. I wish I could see dates as ribbons, smell sounds, or hear scents and whatever else combo there is. Very cool.

[Santa]

I wish I could see dates as ribbons

I don't know. Ribbons? I think I'd rather see a date as a pretty woman. :)

[horseshoe3]

I see days of the week clockwise and like you, months are counter-clockwise. When I think about a timeframe, a specific date, I visualize the exact spot on the oval.

I see life events by my age and it's a ribbon pattern that curves beginning at age 29 (before age 29, it's a straight line), then it curves by decade. So strange! So when I think of something in the past or future, I picture that location on the ribbon with a visual memory of whatever I'm remembering.

I had never thought about it before, but I also see the days of the week clockwise. I also see a date on my year circle as a definite spot. BUT, the spot is not correct. Summer takes up a lot more of the circle than any of the other seasons.



I'm going to have to contact family members to see if anyone else sees things like I do. There is supposed to be a hereditary component. I read that more women than men have this and even more left handed women (I am).

My father and I both "see" a book in color as we are reading. If an author adds a detail later in a book that conflicts with what our minds had been seeing, we both get a little confused and annoyed.


But the way I found out about this synesthesia is a friend noticed her daughter was talking about colors of numbers while doing a math assignment. So when I searched for info on it, I found the spatial form of it and couldn't believe it. I never knew anyone studied this or that there was a name for it.\

My two year old son is learning his letters and numbers with those foam, colored pieces. When I ask him "what letter is this?", he will often respond with the color and letter. It could be that people with color synesthesia are subconciously remembering the foam letters or wooden blocks that they learned with. In fact, that could be true for all kinds. I'm pretty sure my parents used a book to help teach me seasons and months. It could be that that book used a counter clockwise illustration with the summer bigger than it should be. I don't remember, but maybe my subconsious does.

[sunshine05]

I read that it could be as many as 1 in 23 people who have this. And to me, it's not a big deal because it's just always the way I've seen things. I don't think I even discussed it with anyone until I was in my 30's and not in much depth and I think I only discussed it with my husband.

If you're thinking about a past memory, you visually see it, right? I see it and also have a location for it. But if something else happened on the same date in another year, it would have the same location in my mind. It would just be further away.

If I'm thinking about an event coming up in early October, it would be to the right of where we are now but if I think about Halloween, it's much further to the right and there is a bend at the end of October leading into November. I see that location when I think about the date.

Then there's November, December and January and mid-January another bend.

Only here could I discuss this. Thank you for letting me!

[horseshoe3]

I am completely fascinated by all of this!

I also think it's interestingly coincidental that you and horseshoe3 both have numbers in your usernames. In fact, I am pretty sure I have nearly mistaken you two before . . . way back when.

I don't know about sunshine05, but my username is not a coincidence. It was determined over 100 years ago.

[Sparky]

...
I should draw it sometime, what it looks like to me.
...

I would love to see you try to draw this. Have you seen any drawings from others online? Are they similar to what you see?

[Sparky]

I don't know about sunshine05, but my username is not a coincidence. It was determined over 100 years ago.

GIM1 wasn't that long ago. ;)

[sunshine05]

I had never thought about it before, but I also see the days of the week clockwise. I also see a date on my year circle as a definite spot. BUT, the spot is not correct. Summer takes up a lot more of the circle than any of the other seasons.



My father and I both "see" a book in color as we are reading. If an author adds a detail later in a book that conflicts with what our minds had been seeing, we both get a little confused and annoyed.

\

My two year old son is learning his letters and numbers with those foam, colored pieces. When I ask him "what letter is this?", he will often respond with the color and letter. It could be that people with color synesthesia are subconciously remembering the foam letters or wooden blocks that they learned with. In fact, that could be true for all kinds. I'm pretty sure my parents used a book to help teach me seasons and months. It could be that that book used a counter clockwise illustration with the summer bigger than it should be. I don't remember, but maybe my subconsious does.

I always thought that too - that maybe I learned the calendar and days that way in Kindergarten or something and it just stuck. I suppose that is possible.

[sunshine05]

I would love to see you try to draw this. Have you seen any drawings from others online? Are they similar to what you see?

This is similar to what I see, only mine is shifted a little and I don't see colors associated with the months.

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[Old Herb Lady]

I.... I am speechless ! This is all so beautiful, I have NEVER heard of these things in my life ! The ribbon thing is over the top FASCINATING !! WOW !!

I think this goes back to the beginning--when the brain is being formed in the womb.

Sunshine05, Thank You so much for this thread & letting us learn about this awesome subject !



"Every minute roughly a quarter of a million new neurons is being produced in an unborn baby. By the time the baby is born they will then have over 100 billion neurons in the brain.
The brain is not just developing in order for the child to use it once its born, but the child is already storing data and memories and much much more before the mother even goes in labor. "

http://angela-michelle.hubpages.com/hub/Things-Your-Brain-Doesnt-Know-About-Itself

[Old Herb Lady]

Also, is the ribbon seen in color, too ? And do you know if your mother ate alot of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds when she was pregnant wth you ?

Any idea ? Or could you find out ? Sorry to be so nosey, I'm just in awe.

[sunshine05]

Also, Is the ribbon seen in color, too, and do you know if your mother ate ALOT of fresh fruits & vegetables, nuts, seeds during her pregnancy with you ?
Any idea, Or are you able to find that out ? Sorry to be so nosey. I'm just in awe.

The time ribbon is not any color. The only thing I know my mom ate a lot of during her pg with me was cherry pie:). I think it's probably mostly hereditary and maybe related to visual spatial learning styles. I always loved math, even up to and including Calc III in college. It was easy for me and I could do it all day long. Loved it!

[sunshine05]

Horseshoe3 - you said Summer takes up more space. For me, months all have equal space but days do not. Saturday and Sunday have the same amount of space as Monday through Friday and we know that 2 does not equal 5.

This is what my days look like, only there is a distinct oval.

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[Sparky]

Just wow. Can you only see it when you need/want to?

[Old Herb Lady]

What about emotions ? How are your emotions connected to all of this ?

When you think about a traumatic life event or a happy life-changing event, how does it affect or does it affect any of these unique memory qualities ?

For example, the birth of child--how do you remember this ? I mean does the ribbon change during that time etc, etc ?

[sunshine05]

Just wow. Can you only see it when you need/want to?

I pretty much see it all the time. Like I'm thinking about tomorrow...Saturday, and I see where Saturday is but I don't consciously think about it. I'm not obsessed with it or anything.

When I wake up in the morning and have to think about what day it is, I visually see where I am in time and then know the day.

[sunshine05]

What about emotions ? How are your emotions connected to all of this ?

When you think about a traumatic life event or a happy life-changing event, how does it affect or does it affect any of these unique memory qualities ?

For example, the birth of child--how do you remember this ? I mean does the ribbon change during that time etc, etc ?

No, I don't have any differences based on emotions. The ribbon never changes, it's just there. And the month and day ovals never change or are highlighted or anything. I just go right to the location when I think about a date and almost put a bookmark there if I have something scheduled.

[Old Herb Lady]

What about this....I can remember every persons birthday that I've ever met in my life. ( if I was told their birthday when I knew them ) so my mind has a different persons birthday in my head continually. It's permanently bookmarked in my brain. Does your head do this ? UGH. Not only that , i see it coming ahead of time and remember that person in my head for days until their birthday has passed and then somebody else's is always coming up around the corner.
Even if I haven't seen or heard from the person in several decades or since I was a kid.
?

[sunshine05]

No, I don't remember birthdays of people who aren't important to me, lol. But family, yes I remember and can see it. So, I was thinking about all of this some more, because I only just realized that there is a name for this and that others have it. At any given time..in my mind I am occupying a spatial location in time that I see. So today I'm in the Saturday location. I move to each day and also move along the monthly calendar but NOT consciously at all. It's automatic. I never wake up and think "Oh, I'm in the wrong space" :).

I drew some diagrams of how I see things. This is how I see months and it is absolutely set. It never shifts or anything. When I think about Christmas, I visually see a point 3/4 of the way through December.

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[sunshine05]

You all probably think I'm nuts (maybe I am). This is how I see my age and other people's ages too. So if I hear that someone is 30, I picture that point on the ribbon.

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[k-os]

You all probably think I'm nuts (maybe I am). This is how I see my age and other people's ages too. So if I hear that someone is 30, I picture that point on the ribbon.

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I don't think you are crazy. I think it's super cool! Thanks for sharing.

[sunshine05]

This is how I see days of the week

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