[stryke (OP)]

I was wondering why it is when we dream we create such strong visual detail but when we are awake using our imagination we can't create that same level of detail?


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[evan_au]

The retina compresses the received image down to a very small number of bits per second; the world seems really detailed, but that detail comes from only a small part of the visual field - the rest is reconstructed from our memory, and imagined by extrapolating from what we do see.

While we dream, even that small amount of visual information is missing, and we just construct the whole scene from memory and imagination. So it is natural that it should seem really vivid.

Dreaming also involves a suspension of disbelief - things seem normal and acceptable that would leave us very puzzled and confused while awake. So even an imperfect and bizarre image would convince us that it is real and vivid.

It has to be something odd that convinces a sleeping person that they are indeed asleep, and allows "lucid dreaming", and enables manipulation of the dream imagery and events.

[Lmnre]

Consider what one experiences while undergoing sensory deprivation. IMO, it's the simple matter of reality overriding our imagination (thank goodness), and yet, it seems some people are plagued by vivid imaginations — what we call "hallucinations" — where they have difficulty distinguishing reality from imagination.

[cheryl j]

That question has always perplexed me as well. Unless my brain is somehow tricked into thinking I'm experiencing more than I am, I could never figure out how I could dream about songs I never heard before, written passages in books, o0r that I was looking at beautiful paintings in a museum, etc. And as another person mentioned in a recent post, have something "surprise" me in a dream.

[rachel_fusion]

I have been really curious about the topic of lucid dreams recently. It is interesting to see the varying views on the subject. Who believes in that lucid dreaming is possible? What evidence do you have to explain why you feel this way?

[MrVat7]

I am able to imagine a bit less vivid than I dream. You can say it is in high quality. I can imagine detailed colored world, get detailed perception of mechanics of an object /fluid/setup. And it is really helpful to me in studies and everyday life.

[cheryl j]

One explanation is that while asleep, there is little or no competing stimulation from the senses.

[yor_on]

Selldom remember my dreams, and that's a pity. But sometimes, if I do it's like I'm narrating a story. I'm watching it and having a commentary at the same time Weird stuff.

[Ethos_]

Actually, I think there are people that would view that in the opposite manner. I for one dream in vivid color often. And as a machinist by trade, I have never had a dream of geometric design. And my scientific background and inquisitive imagination have rarely become evident in any of my dreams. While I remember my dreams very well, and very often dream more than one dream each night, I consider my imagination much more active during my waking hours. Nevertheless, I enjoy my dreams and always look forward to the experiences they bring.

I suppose these facts are just evidence that we are all different individuals with many and varied personality traits.

[yor_on]

That's another weird thing Have tried to see if I dream in color sometimes, aka 'noticing it' in dreams. Most of the times I can't define it afterwards, if I did, or if I didn't. From some mythical aspects colors are deemed as being important. But I like my narrator though

[MrVat7]

One can be trained to imagine since childhood , after practicing and making brain sharper one could imagine as vivid as dreams . I can , idk why others face problems imaging

[yor_on]

It's always like that MrVat I can do some things you can't, you can do some things I can't. When we agree on things we get physics.