Face-blindness: parable of the stones

[Malleus, Incus, Stapes!]

You ever come across a metaphor that seems exactly tailor-made for the situation? That is how I feel about this web page on face-blindness. As someone with mild prosopagnosia myself, I can tell you that the author has it nailed straight on the head.

Just wanted to share with you. Straight dope on an obscure disease, and all that.

[SmartAleq]

That's an interesting page--I have a mild version of face blindness myself, but it manifests oddly. I can identify actors more easily than real people, I guess something about the flatness of a screen or photo makes it easier for me to process, although I'd probably be unable to identify a famous actor in real life. I have a terrible time when context is wrong--there was one time my (then two year old) step granddaughter recognized me in Ikea and I failed to figure out who the little kid was, or her mom--when my son showed up I finally twigged to what was going on. I still get razzed for that one. I'm lucky that my husband is tall and usually wears a distinctive hat when we're out in a crowd because otherwise I'd have a helluva time finding him.

On the other hand, my daughter has an incredible face memory--she's one of those people who'd recognize someone they haven't seen since elementary school. I have no idea where in hell she got this ability!

Nice to know I'm not the only weirdo...