What numbers did you memorize as a kid? How old where you? And why?

For me it my address number at some time in the second grade. I really don't remember exactly the why or even when. Yet I suspect it was the second time I went through the second grade.

As to why I can speculate that it was because that school was so darn far away.

Yet it was most certainly not because of my parents. I doubt mom ever knew our address even decades later. And dad never lived with us for him to memorize it.

So what set of numbers did you memorize? When? And why?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Abstraction · 61-69, M

I didn't memorise numbers much that I can recall.
But I recall it started about grade 1, so about 5, lying in bed in the dark and counting 1,2,3... and I realised I could keep counting. The odd thing was I could see them stretching ahead of me visually. When I got to 200 they turned left. I knew a thousand was over on that side because then it turned and went away from me again. All numbers exist in a particular physical space around me and I never thought about it.
Over time I could see the calendar in a circle around me, like a clock, with the months and the days, with December 31/ Jan 1 directly in front and 30 june behind me.
Weeks a different pattern. Dates a complex pattern.
I thought it was normal. I didn't know until middle aged and saw a documentary that i had synesthesia.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Abstraction first I have heard about synesthesia.

What other senses might you think are apart of your visual ability?

Abstraction · 61-69, M

@DeWayfarer That's the only one for me. Two of my grandkids have it more than me - but it's also visual. For instance, for one of them, every letter and number has a colour as well.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Abstraction I wrote some prose once on here that almost sounds similar. It sounds like total nonsense to some, yet has a meaning to me.

https://similarworlds.com/self/curious/3579468-I-am-curious-about-what-not

A reply from that prose 😆

I can't make any sense of it?!😲😎

Abstraction · 61-69, M

@DeWayfarer It would take some reflection to break into your thinking.
How simple is real?
How complex is nothing?
I like these immediately. Obviously my reading would be different to your intent. For me, "why is there something rather than nothing?" is one of the biggest questions. But... what would the alternative to something be (and it isn't nothing in any way we could possibly comprehend.)
How simple is real? Has a lot of applications. But because I'm not dishonest, ever. Because I admit when I'm wrong. Because in the right context I will talk about who I am... it's incredibly simple to be real.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@Abstraction your take on that prose is certainly very different than my intent.

My take is perspectives. And the similarities with your early experience is as well your perspective.

The tiny bit about synesthesia that I read is it's about the combination of different senses. That brings about a different perspective.

So what does the color blue taste like? Another prose of my own.

https://similarworlds.com/uncategorized/3903968-How-does-the-color-blue-taste?rid=46572438

I ask you in my first reply ...

What other senses might you think are apart of your visual ability?

That question also involves perspective.

Do you see what I saying? 🤔