Anyone Else Experience This When Reading Maps?

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BookPerson
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03 Jul 2013, 11:53 pm

I was reaing National Geographic the other day, and one of the articles included a map. As often happens with my, I had trouble focussing on the "right" area of the map. Now, that's not to say that there's something wrong with my eyes. Rather, my brain instantly perceived the oceans as one would perceive the land, and the same inverse perception being true for the land. I realized how often this happens to me. After looking over the map for a few seconds, my brain "switched" and I realized that I'd done it again! :wink: (I should also note that this generally only happens with black and white maps.)

I'm curious to know if this happens to anyone else? I'm not sure if it's related to being an Aspie, but it seems that it could be.

EDIT: I forgot to emphasise that this only seems to happen with black and white maps, or maps of two colors of a similar nature. It's not that I don't understand maps. In fact, I find maps fascinating and look at them often.



Last edited by BookPerson on 04 Jul 2013, 12:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

Gazelle
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03 Jul 2013, 11:57 pm

Not sure if this happens to me or not, but since I have visual spatial perception issues, it could very well be something that could happen for me.


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cathylynn
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04 Jul 2013, 12:43 am

maps are a weak area for me.



BelleAmi
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04 Jul 2013, 2:25 am

BookPerson wrote:
I was reaing National Geographic the other day, and one of the articles included a map. As often happens with my, I had trouble focussing on the "right" area of the map. Now, that's not to say that there's something wrong with my eyes. Rather, my brain instantly perceived the oceans as one would perceive the land, and the same inverse perception being true for the land. I realized how often this happens to me.


I love maps yet I know I don't 'read' them in the same way others do - I see them more as things in themselves than as representations. The trouble I have while out walking, following an ordinance survey map! Its amazing I ever get anywhere.


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SaveTigers
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04 Jul 2013, 7:38 am

Yes, I have the same problem with black and white or similarly colored maps! It's kind of like an optical illusion and I have to look twice to get the true picture.


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WerewolfPoet
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04 Jul 2013, 9:16 am

I also have an issue of switching the land and water on black-and-white maps, but, like you, it only takes me a few seconds to get my bearing together.

Gazelle makes a good point in stating that this could be due to visual spatial perception peculiarities.


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