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.
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… 