# Face-blindness: parable of the stones

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-blindness-parable-of-the-stones/486667>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 20, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-blindness-parable-of-the-stones/486667 "2009-02-20T03:19:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-blindness-parable-of-the-stones/486667/1 "2009-02-20T03:19:49Z")

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You ever come across a metaphor that seems exactly tailor-made for the situation? That is how I feel about [this](http://www.prosopagnosia.com/main/stones/) 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.

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**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-blindness-parable-of-the-stones/486667/2 "2009-02-20T03:43:54Z")

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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… 😛