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61 points cannnot_think | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.246s | source

I am writing this desperate to find out what to do. Most of my life, I have been 'listening' passively, without thinking. I don't have an internal monologue. I had a neuropsych evaluation which commented on my poor memory and inability to think.

How do I learn how 'to think'? How do I learn to create an internal dialogue to comment on my surroundings and tasks?

I am hoping for a book recommendation, or maybe a blog post. I've heard that Ulysses is a stream-of-consciousness book, but I have not checked it out.

I would hope that books help - but I have read a lot of books and still don't think. I am hoping for a tutorial or something to practice.

1. razodactyl ◴[] No.41922143[source]
Perhaps it's down to a mismatch between societal "norm" compared to how your own cognition works.

Maybe you're a tactile or sequential learner? There's "Method of Loci" or even "External Vocalisation".

You're capable of reading and writing so that's 100% evidence you're capable of learning - and being able to perform a sequence of tasks allows you to understand how to perform an action correctly.

Let's go with that and try external vocalisation. Many would trade the noise in their mind for silence and the ability to focus clearer on a task.

When you're working on a task, since you lack an internal monologue - vocalise it instead, it doesn't need to be audible, even moving your lips quietly should work as this will tap into your motor cortex which is highly tuned for performing sequential micro-actions.

Try talking to yourself about the steps you must take to get something done and see how you go.

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Of course this is something you can try at home but following up with a few medical advisors will also open up other avenues for course correction if you feel this is becoming a real problem.