Not a Defect

Terribly annoyed that scientists label cognitive differences as defects and impairments. Almost nothing has damaged human relations more than the invention of "Normal" -- damn Bernoulli, Quetelet, and big data! -- and the compulsion to label everything (I blame Linnaeus for that part). 

I always knew my brain worked differently from many other people, but it wasn't until about 6 years ago, when I was writing a little fiction, that I figured out one of the main components of the difference. I cannot visualize imagined things in my brain and have no mind's eye. I can imagine, which involves conceptualization, but I cannot generate a picture of that imagine thing in my head. Scientists have discovered that upwards of 150 MILLION people's brains work that way. That is not a defect; rather, it's simply a part of the great diversity that makes up human existence. Until scientists can accept and embrace this diversity, I'll remain sceptical of any of their findings and interpretations.

My collage, 2022