Eli5 – How does the “inner eye” work?

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I have aphantasia, a mental disorder where I lack all internal visualization. I cannot “picture” things in my mind, I think in words and numbers and such. With this, I am very curious how the mental imagery works for the rest of you. Do you see it separate from your main vision? Does it get interposed? Is it like picture in picture? I’m baffled!

TIA.

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Anonymous 0 Comments

I can imagine things in my mind or in reality. For example: I can see a spinning cartoon magnet in my mind – which disrupts my ability to ‘pay attention’ to my natural surroundings. It’s almost like daydreaming but quicker and less clear.

I can also stick my hand out palm open and imagine a spinning magnet above my palm. I can imagine animals running around my apartment. I think this is why I played with army men and toys till age 14.

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