Ep 069: Brilliant Minds and the Realities of Face Blindness
Today’s our last episode before our Christmas break. Sad, I know, but we have such a great guest: Sadie Dingfelder. She wrote the most excellent book “Do I Know You? A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination.” Our conversation not only delved into face blindness (prosopagnosia) but also covered neurodivergence, aphantasia, and the importance of effective science communication.
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We also discussed films and literature centered around Face Blindness: the new NBC series Brillant Minds starring Zachary Quinto, KDramas like Rich Man, Poor Woman, 100 Days My Prince, and The Beauty Inside, and the book Hello Stranger. Not only did Sadie consult on the book, but the author Katherine Center also named the lead character after her!
PS We especially loved Sadie’s book dedication: “To my unusual brain, without whom this book would be unthinkable.” Yesssss.
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Music: Deppisch
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ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Sadie Dingfelder is a science journalist who is currently obsessed with hidden neurodiversity and science-based answers to the question: If you were beamed into the mind of another person or animal, what would that be like? Her debut book is, “Do I Know you? A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory and Imagination.” She spent six years as a reporter for the Washington Post Express, where she focused on high-impact public service journalism, such as this review of every single bathroom on the National Mall.
From 2016 to 2019, she also penned a biweekly column, "The Staycationer," detailing her DC adventures, which included a walk-on part in the Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker, auditioning to be a “Nationals Racing President,” and playing one of the Smithsonian’s priceless Stradivarius violins. She contributed feature stories to other sections of the paper, including the tale of a crane who fell in love with her zookeeper.
As a freelance writer, Dingfelder’s work has appeared in National Geographic, Washingtonian magazine, Connecticut Magazine and the Washington City Paper. Prior to working at the Post, Dingfelder spent almost a decade as the senior science writer for the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology magazine, covering new findings in neuroscience, cognitive science, and ethology.
LINKS
Book: Do I Know you? A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory and Imagination
Website: SadieD.com
Social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok
Sign up for Sadie’s newsletter at the bottom of her homepage!
Read Sadie’s review of NBC’s Brilliant Minds: https://www.sadied.com/recapping-brilliant-minds
Media covered on this episode: Brilliant Minds, Hello Stranger, Rich Man, Poor Woman, 100 Days My Prince, The Beauty Inside, Faces in a Crowd
Other episodes you’ll enjoy:
Working with Disability and Mental Health Consultants - Episode 047
You’re Not Alone: How Stigma Hurts Everyone - Episode 036
Speechless, Special, and Cerebral Palsy- Episode 025