The science of imagination

Description

We live much of their lives away from the here and now – as they reminisce about the past, anticipate the future, daydream, enter the virtual worlds created by art and science. This becomes less puzzling once they appreciate that their experience in the here and now is a creative achievement, the result of massively complex processing within their sugar- and oxygen-hungry, ceaselessly active brains. To enter imaginary worlds they have only to run this dynamic, experience-generating system off-line. Many animals can probably do so, for example when they dream: the unique feature of human imagination is that they have evolved to share what they imagine.

It is easy to assume that they all imagine in similar ways, but the recent discovery – or rediscovery – of extreme variations in imagery shows that this is far from the case. The 1-4% of people with aphantasia who lack imagery are more likely to work in STEM subjects and often report a thin memory for their personal past. Intriguingly their dreams are frequently visual despite their lack of wakeful imagery. People with hyperphantasia are more likely to work in ‘creative’ trades, and may be more vulnerable to conditions driven by imagery, like PTSD. The great public interest in these imagery extremes reflects their fascination with what happens in one anther’s minds and the extent of cognitive diversity.

Copies of Adam's latest book "The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination" will be available to purchase after the talk.

Date

This event last took place on: Sat 18th Jan 2025

Location

Royal Institution (inc Faraday Museum)
21 Albemarle Street
London
W1S 4BS

Prices

Contact and Booking Details

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Disclaimer

The information and prices in this listing are presumed to be correct at the time of publishing, but please always check with the venue before making a special trip.

All images are supplied by the exhibition organiser.