[nothrabannosir]

> Do some people have such a clear and strong mental image that they can effectively inspect, zoom in and manipulate a mental image as well as a real visual image

yes, 100%, and more than that. Even with eyes open I can overlay a completely different environment and stop "seeing" the real world. When I close my eyes I find it difficult to really see blackness. Example: when running laps, I count laps by seeing a giant number fixed in the sky over the lap marker, each number a different material (flaming, made of ice, a trimmed hedge, etc).

[card_zero]

Why do the numbers have to be made of fire and ice and topiary?

[nothrabannosir]

It helps distinguish them. Seeing all numbers as e.g. black vinyl makes them blend together in my memory.

Visualizing something lets you leverage visual and spatial memory, but even then: if I were really running past N real giant numbers which all looked identical, I'd lose track just the same. Distinguishing them visually makes them all unique and memorable. The color infuses the entire track and the sky, actually, so it requires little focus, because it's right there in the background.

Basically like the memory palace from Moonwalking with Einstein, but less work, because they don't have to be consistent over time.

(thanks for "topiary" :) beautiful word)