Does photographic memory exist?
A truly photographic and flawless memory doesn’t exist, even though many people casually use the term. The closest a human can get to what we might call “photographic memory,” or to something that mimics its effects, includes things like:
- Eidetic memory
- Hyperthymesia (HSAM/Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory)
- Synesthetic memory (in cases where it actually enhances memory — though it can sometimes do the opposite)
- Trained memory
The latter is by far the most common in memory competitions, where people use various methods, techniques, and systems, combined with a lot of practice, to achieve often astonishing levels of detail.
Hyperthymesia / HSAM – Marilu Henner
Synesthetic memory – Daniel Tammet
Eidetic short-term memory – Rüdiger Gamm (minute 8 and onward in the clip is truly extreme)
Side note: IQ-blog has been in contact with Dr. Allan Snyder and can confirm that, contrary to what is claimed in the Discovery Channel segment, it is not common for people with autistic savant syndrome to consistently succeed at the “dot test.” Rüdiger Gamm is exceptional (one of IQ-blog’s most admired human calculators, who can also speak perfectly backwards), but it should be noted that he was given many attempts, something the program does not make clear.
Learned systems and techniques – Jonas von Essen memorizes nuts
Super Brain is a fantastic (both inspiring and entertaining) Chinese show where memory champions and savants compete against each other. Even Sweden’s memory champion Yanjaa has appeared on the show. Some episodes are absolutely incredible, even if we might find it somewhat amusing that someone is being praised for remembering how different nuts look.
