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Woman Unable To Recognize Voices, Unless It's Sean Connery

Posted by samzenpus on from the I'll-take-the-penis-mightier-for-$200-trebek dept.

A 60-year-old British woman is suffering from a neurological defect that is sure to put her in the next version of "The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat." She is unable to recognize any voice she hears — any voice, that is, but Sean Connery's. Unless she sees the face of the person speaking, she has no idea who is talking to her, even her daughter and co-worker's voices are unrecognizable. Dr. Brad Duchaine at University College London, thinks she might have the first documented case of vocal prosopagnosia, a condition which makes it extremely difficult for people to recognize faces. "His accent is distinctive," Duchaine explained. "And she is a British woman in her sixties ... let's say it's probable he got her attention."

68 comments

  1. XKCD is always almost relevent. by PhasmatisApparatus · · Score: 2, Funny

    Could this be related to Freemanic Paracusia?

    1. Re:XKCD is always almost relevent. by ushering05401 · · Score: 0

      This is a documented but rare symptom of conjoined twin myselxia.

      There are some documentary snippets on YouTube for those interested in further research.

    2. Re:XKCD is always almost relevent. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Myslexia.

    3. Re:XKCD is always almost relevent. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whoosh!

  2. Link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    sends old lady to YTMND.com

  3. Miss Moneypenny? by eviloverlordx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ish that you?

    --
    'Loose' is when your pants are three sizes too big. 'Lose' is when you misuse 'loose'.
    1. Re:Miss Moneypenny? by AppleJuice · · Score: 1

      *Mish* Moneypenny?

      --

  4. Slashdot confused? by gblackwo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As funny as this may sound in the headline, it does appear to potentially be a legitimate and interesting medical condition. Why was this posted in Idle? We see crap every day that should have been put in Idle, but i'm not sure if this is the case.

    1. Re:Slashdot confused? by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      It's because samzenpus suffers from a condition known as cowboynealosia, which causes him to think everything that doesn't come directly from Cowboy Neal himself should go into idle.

    2. Re:Slashdot confused? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      > As funny as this may sound in the headline, it does appear to potentially
      > be a legitimate and interesting medical condition. Why was this posted in
      > Idle? We see crap every day that should have been put in Idle, but i'm not
      > sure if this is the case.

      I was thinking about the same thing.  Finally something worthwhile in idle.
      But why is it in idle?

      I can see a purpose for idle if it's going to offer funny stories, nerdy or
      tech related.  But as things are now, i'd be better to dump idle and cut the
      crap ;-)

      Also, what's up with idle's interface... quote doesn't work?

    3. Re:Slashdot confused? by kpreslan · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's probably in idle because that's the only way they could justify that horrible picture of Sean Connery in his panties.

    4. Re:Slashdot confused? by MaxwellEdison · · Score: 5, Funny

      You shouldn't be sho quick to critishizhe my choishe of wardrobe. Red rubber pantiesh happen to be exsheedingly shlimming, you inshenshitive clod.

      --
      -=Bang Bang=-
    5. Re:Slashdot confused? by Landshark17 · · Score: 1

      In the words of Crow T. Robot, "That's good old-fashioned nightmare fuel right there!"

      --
      This sig is false.
    6. Re:Slashdot confused? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      First everyone complained that all the content in idle is stupid and useless, and when there actually is some interesting content, everyone complains that there shouldn't be interesting content in idle. So no matter what slashdot does with idle, it's always wrong?

  5. Haha by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 1

    The day is mine!

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  6. So.. by UncleWilly · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, how is retirement, Lois?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Maxwell/

    1. Re:So.. by Limburgher · · Score: 1

      If you'd read the article you linked to, you'd know that Lois passed away in 2007, you insensitive clod. ;)

      --

      You are not the customer.

  7. Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Saw the headline and was reminded of Prosopagnosia (face blindness). People who have this are completely unable to recognize faces or distinguish between different faces. All they see is a collection of face parts, never the whole pattern. Totally fascinating. Apparently they have to rely on other clues to identify other people, like hairstyles, clothing, and ... voices. Crazy stuff.

    1. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Um. The summary directly mentions prosopagnosia, and even explains what it is.

      READ!!!!!!

    2. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by tsa · · Score: 1

      Although I don't see pieces of faces, I also often have trouble recognizing people. And don't get me started about remembering names! I guess every nerd has that problem in a big or small way. My roommate, who could program Linux kernel stuff, was a lot worse than me, but he was a lot more a real nerd than me, too.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    3. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting. When I was a kid, I couldn't tell people apart by just looking, I had to remember such cues like "my mother is the short woman in the yellow shirt". Going on shopping trips was always an adventure since I'd start following the wrong person around. According to my parents, I watched my dad shave once and when he was done I started screaming.

       

      This even went on through college, one day I came back to my dorm room, said hi to my dorm mate ("the guy who shares my room") who was browsing on my computer, and about half an hour later he tells me "hey thanks for letting me use your computer" and wanders out. Never saw him again (as far as I know)... I assume he got in through the suite's shared toilet stall.

       

      I guess I grew out of it or took enough blows to the head to set it straight. Now, I can remember faces just fine, except for eye color. All I can see are black pupils unless I get inches away and try to stare directly at the iris.

    4. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by geekgirlandrea · · Score: 5, Interesting

      There are two different types of prosopagnosia: apperceptive prosopagnosia, which is what the OP was describing, and associational prosopagnosia, which is more like not being able to use faces to query one's memory. I have the latter, and if I'm looking at a face I can parse it and work out age, gender, etc., which someone with apperceptive prosopagnosia typically can't do, but I can't make any associations with faces as such at all. I have to explicitly observe and notice features and make associations with those to recognize people. I usually end up going on hairstyles, with a somewhat limited success rate.

      I'm pretty bad with voices too, although not as bad as I am with faces or as bad as the woman in the article. For what it's worth, I just had my first bug-fix (a race condition in arch/sparc64/kernel/trampoline.S) accepted into the kernel source a few weeks ago, so I guess I fit your definition of a Real Nerd.

    5. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by tsa · · Score: 1

      I looked around on your homepage a bit, and yep, you're definitely a Real Nerd in my book.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    6. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tee hee. Gotcha!

    7. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Froboz23 · · Score: 1

      I have a version of the Cyclades PC-300 T1 card driver patched to run on sparc64 kernels.

      This alone is sufficient credentials for Real Nerd status.

      --
      Take off every Sig. For great justice.
    8. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by LaskoVortex · · Score: 1
      • Pleasant face even through the lens of a web-cam. Check
      • Linux advocate. Check
      • Demonstrated understanding of UNIX kernel. Check
      • Demonstrated mastery of compiled languages. Check
      • Ivy league education. Check
      • In mid '20s. Check
      • Employment history of prominent software companies. Check
      • Neurological condition that may level the playing field for some of the guys who are "aesthetically challenged". Check

      Don't be surprised when marriage proposals from fellow /.ers start show up in your email by the truckload.

      --
      Just callin' it like I see it.
    9. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by ozphx · · Score: 1

      * Skimmed someones resume because they are female and put a picture online.

      FAIL

      --
      3laws: No freebies, no backsies, GTFO.
    10. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by LaskoVortex · · Score: 1
      Skimmed someones resume because they are female and put a picture online.

      How did you know I got that from the resume? I think you fail worse.

      --
      Just callin' it like I see it.
    11. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Forget about the proposals. You are probably never going to get them because most people on slashdot are so pent up with sexual frustration that they can only express their sexuality through homoagression like our friend ozphx.

    12. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by geekgirlandrea · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Meh. That's only actually happened to me once, and the person in question was (probably) joking. Anyway, to extend your list:

      • Lesbian. Check
      • Has the exact same geek girl fetish most of the men here have, but would never *admit* to having looked at someone's homepage link for that reason. Check
      • Involved with someone (who fits most of your list too). Check
      • Writes code with above-referenced someone. Check
      • Sometimes gets drawn into Linux vs. OpenBSD arguments with said someone. Check
      • Really enjoys doing this to Slashdotters. Check
    13. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hah... and typically it's girls that complain "all the good ones are gay"... You've just given us guys a chance to say that now!

    14. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

      I sometimes wonder if I have a form of prosopagnosia. I can't remember, based on face alone, who someone is unless I worked with that person closely for some time. There are people I've known at work for years (but haven't seen on a regular basis) and if I see them, I can't remember their name based on their face. When I met my wife online, we went through a long distance relationship phase. I was deathly afraid that she would arrive at the airport and I wouldn't recognize her face. Even my own cousins (whom I see only once a year) don't trigger any facial recognition.

      How did you get diagnosed with prosopagnosia? Is it all faces that you have trouble with? Or do some faces register while most do not?

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
    15. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Way to go, you've totally ruined his plan to send you a truckload of... wait, nope, probably not. ;)

    16. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by ozphx · · Score: 1

      Clicked homepage to see what you were kicking up a big fuss over. Couple of lines of text, link to resume and a pic. Moved on.

      Unless you are getting into some really serious stalking, I'm assuming you pored thru her resume to get all the extra info.

      --
      3laws: No freebies, no backsies, GTFO.
    17. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it's often been said i wouldn't recognize my own mother if i met her on the street. of course, she's been gone for 17 years now, but still, i often find myself in a social situation where someone strikes up a conversation with me, and i swear i never have seen him or her before. but i struggle on and after some time of meaningless banter (because i don't know what to say to my conversation partner), a vocal clue will come, and suddenly i know everything about them: age, how many children and their children's names, where they went to school, what career(s) they have had - everything that might have been discussed in detail in previous conversations. it is unnerving and very embarrassing.

    18. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by euxneks · · Score: 1

      Are those further list elements supposed to make you less appealing to slashdotters? Because I doubt the that's worked.

      --
      in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
    19. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Very much so. With the addition that I've read an account of someone with Prosopagnosia, where he was most successful in identifying people to whom he was sexually attracted. That is, the "software" in his brain for identifying faces was broken very badly, but his sex drive and "software" for that weren't, so he could ID those people at least somewhat effectively.

      Possibly, she thinks (along with many other women I've known) that Sean Connery has a sexy voice, and it's that effect on her that is allowing her to identify him. Perhaps other men with sexy voices would also be identifiable with enough exposure.

    20. Re:Sounds similar to face blindness by Chrisje · · Score: 1

      Ony question I have is why you'd be inclined towards considering finding that xkcd cartoon offensive? Nothing wrong with Big Numbers (TM)

      I do take offense at the gist of this thread though.

      - Not all people who read /. have issues procuring geek- or other girls for sexual activity

      - Not all people on /. would argue a somewhat pleasant face is enough to do marriage proposals

      - Not all people on /. would even marry, because it's a religious institute which assumes some kind of mutual ownership. Who owns humans anyhow?

      Apart from that, I was amused. Briefly.

  8. Is that picture really necessary? by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think we have all seen enough of Sarah Palin.

    1. Re:Is that picture really necessary? by BigAssRat · · Score: 1

      I think you have the VISUAL version of this ladies disease.

    2. Re:Is that picture really necessary? by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

      Of all his roles in all the films in all of time, why did it have to be Zed from Zardoz?

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
    3. Re:Is that picture really necessary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >I think you have the VISUAL version of this ladies disease.
      No, that would be dick cheney.

  9. wow! by Skatox · · Score: 0

    this is so crazy and sad but cool

  10. Oh and Ryan... by dedazo · · Score: 1

    Beah carefulsh whatsh joo shhhhhoot at... mossshht thengs hehahr don't shhhReact well toh bulletsh...

    --
    Web2.0: I love when people Flickr my cuil and digg my boingboing until my google is reddit and I start to yahoo
  11. "I'll take 'The Penis MIghtier', Alex..." by MetaPhyzx · · Score: 3, Funny

    Nuff said.

    --
    Blacker than my baby girl's stare. Black like the veil that the muslimina wear. Black like the planet that they fear...
    1. Re:"I'll take 'The Penis MIghtier', Alex..." by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nuff said.

      Not enough about.... Your Mother!

  12. OMG! by catdevnull · · Score: 1

    I did *not* need to see that photo...

    [gouging eyes with stapler]

    --

    I might know what I'm talkin' about, but then again, this is Slashdot...
  13. I'm posting as AC because.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I'm ashamed to admit that I recognize that pic as being from Zardoz. :(

    1. Re:I'm posting as AC because.... by RichiH · · Score: 1

      That's OK. I was about to ask what movie that pic was from.

    2. Re:I'm posting as AC because.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "..I was about to ask what movie that pic was from..."

      Zardoz, you ignorant clod....

    3. Re:I'm posting as AC because.... by Kreigaffe · · Score: 1

      Zardoz is an amazing movie, and we should look down upon those who have not seen it.

      --
      ... still waiting for this free-as-in-beer free beer I keep hearing about. :|
    4. Re:I'm posting as AC because.... by Ubahs · · Score: 1

      Don't be ashamed, that was an amazing movie. Man, I miss the 70's science fiction movies. They made valid points, without having to make any sense.

  14. Picture by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please excuse me when I say, 'What the fuckety fuck fuck is that picture from?'

    1. Re:Picture by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Its a publicity shot from Sean's guest spot on Celebrity Gladiators

    2. Re:Picture by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unhide all the comments and look at the one right above yours...

    3. Re:Picture by dilvish_the_damned · · Score: 3, Funny

      Please excuse me when I say, 'What the fuckety fuck fuck is that picture from?'

      Your closet most likely.

      --
      I think you underestimate just how much I just dont care.
    4. Re:Picture by DingerX · · Score: 1

      Zardoz.

      And in case you're wondering. The Penis is Evil. It shoots the seed upon the Earth that spreads the Plague of Men.

      Good thing you posted as Anon. Coward.

  15. Speaking of of the penis... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From the movie Zardoz that the still picture was taken from...

    Zardoz: The gun is good.
    Exterminators: The gun is good.
    Zardoz: The penis is evil. The penis shoots seeds, and makes new life, and poisons the earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the gun shoots death, and purifies the earth of the filth of brutals. Go forth and kill!

  16. In Soviet Russia, by Bob-taro · · Score: 1

    Sean Connery only recognizes YOUR voice!

    Oh, and something about Natalie Portman

    --
    Prov 9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
  17. Re:Slashdot confused? Why not? by davidsyes · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why not? Apparently, HIS word is HER bond... LOL!

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  18. Transcript of Diagnostic Session: by Fieryphoenix · · Score: 4, Funny

    Researcher: And who is speaking now?
    George W. Bush declares the Axis of Evil
    Patient: Sean Connery!
    Researcher: And who is speaking now?
    Tiny Tim sings Tiptoe through the Tulips
    Patient: Sean Connery!
    Researcher: And who is speaking now?
    Miss Piggy takes Kermit to task
    Patient: Sean Connery!
    Researcher: And who is speaking now?
    Roaring Elephants and Chimpanzees howling
    Patient: Sean Connery!
    Researcher: And who is speaking now?
    Sean Connery declares "There can be only one"
    Patient: Sean Connery!
    Researcher: Amazing! She can only recognize a voice if it is Sean Connery!

    1. Re:Transcript of Diagnostic Session: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did you ever think, that maybe the researcher sounds like Sean Connery?

  19. well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, I suffer from freemanic paracusia. Everything I read I hear in the comforting voice of Morgan Freeman:

    "Why, You could enlarge Your penis for cheap. My, my. Isn't that something"

  20. Factitious disorder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And this is distinguishable from factitious disorder how? Seems highly suspicious that the woman read about the condition in a magazine article first.

  21. I know how to comfort her by thetoadwarrior · · Score: 1

    Someone needs to hook her up with http://www.yourethemannowdog.com/

  22. Mary Hart by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 1

    There was a story ten or fifteen years ago about a lady who had epileptic seizures when Entertainment Tonight came on. Eventually they pinned the actual trigger on the voice of Mary Hart.

    It made perfect sense to me. I'm sure we've all had seizures caused by Entertainment Tonight coming on TV.

    Anyway they made hostile jokes about this woman on that show; to her credit Mary Hart wanted to call the woman to apologize.