Latest news with #Zeman
National Geographic
29-05-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
Can you picture an apple in your mind? If not, you might have this condition.
The "apple test"—asking participants to close their eyes and picture an apple—has become a quick way to test how vividly an individual can recall memories. Photograph by Jose A. Bernat Bacete, Getty Close your eyes and imagine an apple. Can you see its shape? What color is it? Is it floating in the air, or being held by a hand, or sitting on a table? If you find yourself struggling, you might have arecently coined condition called aphantasia. People with aphantasia, or 'aphants,' say they lack the ability to effectively visualize in their mind's eye. They might have vivid imaginations, and lead very creative lives, but their brains work a little differently when it comes to visual imagery. Twenty-five years ago, Adam Zeman, a professor of cognitive and behavioral neurology previously at the University of Exeter, now an honorary fellow at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences in Edinburgh, was introduced to the curious case of a man who had lost the ability to visualize following a heart procedure. That someone who previously had a vivid mind's eye could suddenly lose it was novel case to Zeman, and one that raised questions about the way imagery functioned within the human brain. Zeman's research on this patient, when published in 2010, resonated with people: ones who hadn't suddenly lost their ability to visualize, but instead had realized, thanks to the description of the patient in the study, that they'd never actually had that ability at all. 'Over the next few years, people began to get in touch saying, I'm just like [the patient], except that I always have been [non-visualizing],' Zeman remembers. He incorporated 21 of these new non-visualizers into a study which he suggested a modified version of the Greek word for imagination—phantasia—to describe those who claimed they had no visual memory. Measuring the mind Psychological studies and self-reporting made up much of the initial research on aphantasia, but this kind of subjective approach tends to provoke skepticism in laypeople, according to Christian Scholz, a PhD student at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany studying the condition. Skeptics suggest the real difference is not a person's ability to produce a mental image but instead how they differently describe what it's like to conjure a mental image. 'One argument against aphantasia being a real thing is—'well, it's just language anyway,'' he points out. Scholz says 'the people who tend to have more vivid [mental] imagery are also more skeptical of aphantasia'—it's hard for a lifelong visualizer to believe someone else can lack the ability. More recently, scientists have been able to test physiological differences between those who report a strong visual imagination and those who don't. 'If you look into the sun, your pupils constrict. If you have imagery and you imagine looking into the sun, it turns out that your pupils constrict [as well]—and that doesn't happen in people with aphantasia,' Zeman explains, referring to a 2022 study. One study conducted in 2021 attached sensors to the fingertips of participants that measured changes in emotional arousal. Some participants were read a scary story while others were shown scary images. Compared to a control group of those who reported a strong visual memory, aphantasics failed to register fear responses to the stories, though their response to the images was the same as the control group. This indicated to researchers that mental imagery was the mediating factor between something purely conceptual, like a story read aloud, and the listener's gut reaction. Another study published earlier this year measured brain activity in the visual cortex using MRI scans. Results suggested that visualization might be present in aphantasic brains, but only at levels too low for images to be decoded by the conscious mind. 'You see in people with hyperphantasia—vivid imagery—stronger connections between areas at the front of the brain and the [hindbrain] visual network than you do in people with aphantasia,' Zeman explains. A different way to remember the world Sarah Shomstein, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at George Washington University, says the condition is not a disability and could shed light on how human perception and imagination has evolved and continues to evolve. 'There is no damage, there's no deficit,' she says. 'It's a different way [of processing] which has to do with wiring, or some thresholding for activation. And it might be adaptive; it might not be.' She suggests that aphants' brains might be saving energy by processing visual stimuli differently than strong visualizers—rerouted through different areas of the brain that bypass the conscious mind. If it is an adaptive trait, perhaps a larger proportion of the population might grow to have it in the future, she suggests. The apple test is how Shomstein realized that her own ability to form mental images differed from most people. This came well after she'd attained her PhD in cognitive neuroscience, and many years after she dismissed early reports of 'aphantasia' as pseudoscience. That doesn't mean that she, or aphantasics in general, have no imagination. Far from it. 'I can imagine things, I can create very complex imagery,' she explains. 'It is just not in [a] visual form. So for me, everything is black—but I have a concept, I mentalize it.' An individual's unique consciousness Zeman estimates that millions of people around the world have aphantasia—so why is the condition so poorly understood? While the term was only coined in 2015, scientists have been grappling with how to describe differences in perception and memory for centuries. Francis Galton, the prolific 19th century psychologist and founder of eugenics, distributed a questionnaire in 1880 that revealed 12 out of 100 men could not visualize their own breakfast table. W. H. R. Rivers, a prominent psychotherapist who treated shell-shock patients during World War I, lacked the ability to visualize and hypothesized that he had lost it as a child due to a traumatic experience in his home. These observations, however, weren't replicated by formal studies at the time. Tom Ebeyer, founder of the Aphantasia Network community group and an aphant since birth, thinks the condition has been long ignored because there aren't documented negative impacts. 'When you look at outcomes, visualizers and non-visualizers have very common outcomes,' he says. Thousands of visitors to the Aphantasia Network's site have taken the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, allowing them to pinpoint their own level of visualization and provide useful data points in understanding the prevalence of aphantasia. According to Ebeyer, members of the 60,000-strong network become artists, architects, authors, and take up other visualization-heavy careers. Both aphants and visualizers report being able to recognize faces of family and friends and navigate their way to familiar places. Another place aphants congregate is the Reddit community /r/Aphantasia, where over 70,000 active members share personal experiences and discuss the latest research on the condition. 'I'd always assumed when people "counted sheep" to sleep or "pictured the audience naked" they were speaking metaphorically,' said one anonymous member of the aphantasia subreddit. 'I would have gone through my whole life never noticing I was different in this way had the subject not come out on the internet,' says subreddit member Megan Lee. But for some members of Ebeyer's Aphantasia Network, they worry their diminished mind's eye cheats them out of memories others might experience vividly. 'I think that's where people see the most impact in their daily life,' he says. 'You can romanticize the ability to relive your past experiences, maybe revisit your loved ones in your mind, see what they look like,' an ability aphantasics feel they lack. Zeman confirms that based on the latest research, 'the most conspicuous consistent difference which emerges [..] is that [aphants] have a rather poor autobiographical memory.' What's next for the aphantasia community? Brought together by an experience which only a small percent of the world's population shares, they are working to develop the vocabulary necessary to describe their experiences and communicate them to researchers. 'It's an intriguing invisible difference,' says Zeman, 'and it reminds us that we all tend to take our own experience as the norm, but actually the experience of others may be very different.'
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong entrepreneurs put pitching skills to the test with business magnate Allan Zeman
04:19 Three Hong Kong entrepreneurs pitch ideas to breathe new life into underused urban spaces Three Hong Kong entrepreneurs pitch ideas to breathe new life into underused urban spaces The life of a young entrepreneur can become quite frenetic, as they must juggle all the challenges that come with getting a business off the ground. Advertisement But what can make it a lot easier are the abilities to embrace technology and think outside the box. To test themselves in this regard, three Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs and influencers recently took part in a friendly competition adjudicated by Allan Zeman, founder and chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group. Zeman and his company are known for transforming Hong Kong's nightlife entertainment scene. In addition, he holds leadership roles at various businesses as well as government advisory positions. Hong Kong business magnate Allan Zeman served as judge for a recent pitch competition between three local entrepreneurs. The competition was organised by the Post's Morning Studio team in collaboration with Huawei. Participants were given a mere 45 minutes and use of a Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2-inch to create engaging presentations for Zeman to evaluate, built around their ideas on how to repurpose Hong Kong's urban spaces to benefit the community. Among the contenders was Stella Wong, a clinical researcher and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) who is also the founder of Lectcha. Her company makes kombucha – a fizzy, fermented tea drink – with a healthy herbal twist and in many flavours; the idea was initially conceived during her postgraduate studies. Stella Wong, founder of the kombucha maker Lectcha, used the Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2-inch to present Zeman with her idea to repurpose the city's public phone booths. However, the idea she pitched to Zeman focused on how the 3,000 or so public phone booths still standing in Hong Kong can be repurposed to meet the community's changing needs. Advertisement Wong quickly came up with a well-structured presentation consisting of data, stock photos and illustrations to make a case for equipping the booths with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. She envisioned them being used to provide healthcare services for the elderly or information to tourists, or to serve as sites for special business promotions.
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Dawn of Visionaries – HKSTP's journey to inspire innovation
In the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and technology (I&T), a new generation of leaders is emerging, redefining success and shaping the future of Hong Kong and beyond. Among them are the dynamic figures driving the Dawn of Visionaries campaign of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), where innovation meets strategic collaboration. Advertisement Allan Zeman, a renowned business magnate, is one of the key advisers steering this initiative. With a wealth of experience across many sectors, Zeman – along with George Hara, another main adviser – is keen to inspire innovators and foster a culture in which bold ideas can flourish. 'My role is to inspire innovators, helping them think differently, take risks and reach new heights,' Zeman says. 'It's about creating an environment where extraordinary achievements are possible.' Renowned business magnate Allan Zeman is helping to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. Zeman's entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 19 when he launched his first business, a pivotal moment that shaped his vision. 'That experience taught me that if someone else can do it, so can I,' he says. This belief drives him to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs at HKSTP, where he sees immense potential for growth and innovation. Since its inception in 2001, HKSTP has been a catalyst for progress, nurturing over 2,200 tech ventures and engaging with more than 24,000 innovators. As a cornerstone of Hong Kong's I&T soft power sector, the corporation has significantly contributed to the local economy, fostering collaborations that drive both technological advancements and community well-being. At the heart of the new Dawn of Visionaries initiative lie six essential pillars. Along with advisers Zeman and Hara, this includes advocates – a diverse group of interns from around the world who are passionate about promoting Hong Kong as a leading destination for tech careers. They use their energy and fresh perspectives to mobilise their peers to explore exciting opportunities in the region. Advertisement Another crucial pillar of the programme is its mentors: experienced professionals who provide invaluable guidance to start-ups. This support is instrumental in navigating the complexities of the tech industry, empowering innovators to overcome challenges. The creators within the HKSTP community also play a significant role. Comprising influencers and artists, they are central to marketing campaigns that resonate globally. Their storytelling abilities help convey HKSTP's narrative and showcase the vibrant innovation landscape of Hong Kong.
South China Morning Post
29-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Lan Kwai Fong gets Hong Kong Sevens booster but Kowloon City misses out
Business in popular nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong jumped by as much as 30 per cent on Friday evening after day one of the Hong Kong Sevens, industry leaders said, although restaurants near Kai Tak Stadium, the rugby tournament's new home, have yet to see a big jump in trade. Advertisement Tycoon Allan Zeman, founder and chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, said on Saturday that the jump in business was due to the excitement surrounding the newly opened stadium, where the Sevens will run until Sunday evening. 'I think there is euphoria,' he said on Saturday. 'It is amazing and it is such a great feeling about Hong Kong, where we can't believe that this is our stadium.' He said trade in Lan Kwai Fong on Friday evening jumped by as much as 30 per cent compared with last year. Zeman said he expected business for the Sevens period to increase by 20 per cent over last year. 'I'm very surprised as we were expecting a drop, but it's been very, very good, so I am not complaining,' he said. Advertisement In previous years, when the event was held at Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay, rugby fans usually flocked to pubs in Wan Chai or Lan Kwai Fong after matches ended for the day.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ex-Roma, Lazio and Foggia coach Zeman in hospital
Former Roma, Lazio and Foggia coach Zdenek Zeman is in hospital after suffering a stroke and said to be in stable condition. The 77-year-old had already been forced to retire early during his experience on the bench of Serie C side Pescara in February 2024 due to health concerns. According to the latest reports, Zeman was rushed to the Policlinico Gemelli hospital in Rome this morning with symptoms of a stroke. His condition is believed to be stable, and he is alert and collaborative with the medics, but the prognosis remains reserved. Zeman had been hospitalised a year ago for cardiac irregularities and had several stents put in to help blood flow. The Czech coach was a committed smoker who was regularly seen puffing on cigarettes on the touchline, before that was banned. Although he hails from the Czech Republic, almost all of his coaching career has been in Italy, starting at Licata in 1983. His Foggia was historic for its all-attack approach and 4-3-3 formation, taking the same tactical ideas to Lazio, Roma, Fenerbahce, Napoli, Lecce, Brescia, Red Star Belgrade, Cagliari and others.
