If I’m not back in five minutes, just wait longer.
Hey, it’s UniScoops! It might be Halloween, but we certainly think the big ideas shouldn’t be scary 🫢
Here’s a taste of what we’re serving today:
Why Do Some People Have Photographic Memory? 🧠
PLUS: Penchants of the Polymaths, Why Conifers Rule the North, and Dressy Ghosts of Victorian Literature 👻
NEUROSCIENCE
Why Do Some People Have Photographic Memory? 🧠
…but is it because of photographic memory?
The idea of a photographic memory, the ability to perfectly recall images, words, or events, has long fascinated scientists and the public alike. But does it really exist, and if so, how?
Cases of extraordinary memory are rare but real, and they seem to involve a mix of brain structure, practice, and cognitive differences.
💡 Things to consider
Brain structure and function: People with exceptional recall often show differences in brain regions linked to visual processing and memory, such as the hippocampus and visual cortex. Their brains may form stronger connections between perception and long-term storage, allowing them to retain images in detail.
Source: Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body
Practice and memory techniques: Some “photographic memory” cases may not be innate but trained. Memory champions use mnemonic techniques like the method of loci (memory palaces), which can make recall seem photographic. This suggests that at least part of the phenomenon can be cultivated.
It might be a case of brain training.
Hyperthymesia and true exceptional memory: A handful of individuals have hyperthymesia, the ability to recall nearly every day of their life with vivid accuracy. Their condition goes beyond memory tricks, pointing to unusual brain wiring. While not exactly photographic, it shows that extreme memory capacity exists in rare cases.
🔎 Find out more
🍒 The cherry on top
🌙 Penchants of the Polymaths: Long before ‘interdisciplinary’ became a buzzword, medieval Islamic scholars like al-Biruni and Avicenna were jumping between astronomy, medicine, poetry, and philosophy, often while facing scarcity, house arrest, or courtly upheaval. This Aeon essay tells the stories of four great polymaths of the Islamic Golden Age, arguing that their willingness to move between disciplines (rather than specialise) produced some of history's most enduring scientific breakthroughs. A fascinating read if you're interested in Science, History, or Philosophy!
🌲 Why Conifers Rule the North: Why do pines and spruces blanket Siberia and Canada but not the Amazon? This video takes you on a journey from the Triassic to today, revealing how narrow water-carrying tubes, fog-catching needles, and tough, nutrient-saving foliage helped conifers outlast flowering plants in cold, harsh climates. Watch if you’re interested in Biology or Geography!
👻 Dressy Ghosts of Victorian Literature: Why did Victorian ghosts ditch the white sheets for the latest fashions? This article explores how writers like Dickens, Wells, and Henry James used clothing to give their spectres substance, and what that reveals about the era’s obsession with material goods. A cool read if you like English Literature or History!
👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…
Various dates this week:
Wednesday 28th October:
Thursday 29th October:
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That’s it for this week! We’d like to thank this week’s writer: Rob Folkard.
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