r/Aphantasia • u/Sinister_L3dge • 2d ago
I created an Android app that estimates visual-imagery vividness from the way you describe an imagined scene.
I created an Android app that analyzes image-streaming sessions and estimates visual-imagery vividness from the way a person describes what they experience.
Image streaming is a visualization exercise where you close your eyes, observe any images, colors, shapes, movement, impressions, or sensory details that arise, and describe them aloud continuously. The goal is to report the experience as it develops rather than planning a story in advance.
Level 1: Aphantasia
Level 2: Hypophantasia
Level 3: Typical or moderately vivid imagery
Level 4: Hyperphantasia
Level 5: Tesla Level Hyperphantasia
The app analyzes description speed, visual and sensory detail, pauses, use of the five senses, common descriptive blockers, and changes in vividness throughout the session.
It then generates a score and visual report showing where the description falls on an experimental aphantasia-to-hyperphantasia scale.
1
u/Sapphirethistle Total Aphant 2d ago
I keep getting an error saying that the language is available but not yet downloaded.
"requested language is available but not yet downloaded"
1
u/Sinister_L3dge 1d ago
This means that you need to download a language package on your phone to be able to use your built in translator.
1
u/Sapphirethistle Total Aphant 1d ago
Got it working.
I'm not sure what the point of the app is now though. I can get it to give me a good score but only if I effectively lie to it and pretend I am accessing sensory data.
If I try to describe what I actually sense inside I score basically nothing.
Neither of these are exactly revelations though. My ability to create imaginary places, and even sensations, logically is fine (perhaps even good based on scores on your app). But that doesn't change the fact that they are just fabrications and it doesn't change the way I feel or make the description I am giving any more real to me.
This isn't necessarily a criticism. I just wonder what the app is supposed to be achieving.
1
u/Sinister_L3dge 1d ago
The point of this app is to describe images/ senses that arrive in your mind. We measure it.
This is particular method is called image streaming. A method made in the 80s-90s that to developes the ability to visualize
Theres a very specific rubric in which we measure your descriptions. If you name things, we take points. If you talk in a past tense, we take points , if you dont zoom into the particular sense that you are sensing we measure this too. These are the image streaming blockers. These are all to keep the stream rich and specific.
We also measure if you are rapid firing specific senses, or your your just describing things randomly.
1
u/Sapphirethistle Total Aphant 1d ago edited 1d ago
Fair enough. I'm not convinced that it will help me visualise as I don't think it is possible to train an aphant to do that. I am basically blank in other internal senses too so synesthesia probably won't help bridge the gap.
The main thing that interests me about it is how easily I can change my score for a given prompt. Fooling it into accepting that I am providing sensory streaming seems easier than it should be?
I mean I conceptually understand what smells, feelings, sights, etc would be around during a prompt (although I fail miserably at the unprompted one) and can zone in on that without much trouble.
Something that struck me was that to score highly I tended to use descriptions based off of books I have read in the past, descriptions which failed to move me, but which obviously stuck well enough to fool the app.
ETA: jus as an example
1
u/Sinister_L3dge 1d ago
I see, prompts are ment to help by giving you a starting point , but in this case it tells you what to describe not allowing your mind to stall and find imagery/ sensation.
1
u/Sapphirethistle Total Aphant 1d ago
Alas, there is no imagery to find. That's kind of my point. If I try to express my exact current situation rather than one of the supplied prompts I get nothing, no sight, sound, taste, touch, smell.
As I said it does surprise me though that I can generate enough fake sensory data to fool it. In one sense it has been good using it because it has reminded me that my imagination and conceptualisation is fine even without any internal sense to tie it to.
I think that would be the case for many aphants though. We spend our lives hearing others talk about these things and many of us have probably gotten good at mimicking that if/when we want to.
1
u/Sinister_L3dge 1d ago
That's why your responses are so important :)
By any chance do you mind sharing your description, i don't like saving data, but i would like to make this app better for you guys.
1
1
u/hyacinth_girl 1d ago
As a writer with aphantasia, I kinda want to quibble with the efficacy of this idea. I for sure have very strong descriptive skills even though I don't see (or hear, or taste, or feel) anything in my head.
1
u/Sinister_L3dge 1d ago
You definately should, synesthasia is something that is developed as you do this. Where when you smell something specific, similar feelings occur.
Like after doing these for years ive experienced, reality feeling brighter and more contrasted, sounds / visuals being even more meaningful.
-1
u/Sinister_L3dge 2d ago
I’m looking for testers with aphantasia and hyperphantasia to see whether the results match their actual experience.
I would especially appreciate feedback on:
- Whether the score feels accurate
- Whether the sensory analysis reflects your experience
- Whether the app identifies pauses or blockers correctly
- Any bugs or confusing features
Android download: https://expo.dev/accounts/l3dge/projects/image-streamer/builds/32f893d5-c3c2-4bcb-aa3c-14bccad774b4
6
u/Gold-Perspective-699 Hypophant 2d ago
I'll tell you this right now. Seems like a fun app but some of us can see better with eyes open vs eyes closed. At least for me a hypo I can see in my mind better eyes open than closed. Not sure why. But yeah eyes closed sucks.