What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

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enrohT
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What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by enrohT »

Hello. I apologize for this somewhat random post, but I figured this forum might offer real/valuable advice!

I have always had an uncanny ability to remember faces. (No clue what anyone's name is, 2 minutes after I meet them.) I'm talking, I see people, who are the parents of a 3rd grade classmate of my sister, 25 years later, and know exactly who they are. My wife actually told me to stop discussing how well I remember people, as it can often be creepy. (For example, I ran into a elementary school classmate years later at a party. I had seen a flyer a number of years previously, offering her tutoring services at a junior college, and recognized her. I then recognized her again and was able to recall/discuss the previous information.)

Well, about a week ago, I google "recognize faces well" and discover that there is a phenomenon dubbed "super recognizer". http://www.businessinsider.com/super-re ... uiz-2016-8

And there are online exams. My wife took a longer version (there's at least two universities from England with exams), and scored a 65%. I scored a 96%. I take public transportation to work every day, and have begun to memorize faces. It's harder to pay attention to people I've never met, but I'm finding that I am quite successful at it, especially if there are repeat encounters. Oddly enough, I can recognize almost any car due to the shape of it's headlights as well.

Anyway, in the constant pursuit of a lucrative side hustle, how should I proceed to use this talent?
barnaclebob
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by barnaclebob »

Casino security trying to recognize known cheats and card counters?
campy2010
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by campy2010 »

My friends and I do trivia at bars a lot. The questions seem to be skewed toward pop-culture so the people who always win are super-recognizers of celebrities and the movies in which they acted. You might win a few bucks here and there. Downside is that you would have to follow current-day celebrities.
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FreeAtLast
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by FreeAtLast »

You should have been a police detective. Many of the good ones are super recognizers.
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ResearchMed
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by ResearchMed »

Saw some recent write-ups about this.

I'm the opposite. Can't remember faces of neighbors unless I've really gotten to know them.
VERY embarrassing at times.

I just Googled Super Recognizer Jobs:

https://superrecognizer.wordpress.com/2 ... izer-jobs/

Maybe something will click.

Enjoy!

RM
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btenny
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by btenny »

FBI. or Home Land Security needs skills like this. See there web site.
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Dutch
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by Dutch »

Walmart greeter? :P
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nisiprius
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by nisiprius »

I don't know how you can monetize it directly, but this is a valuable skill in many professions... teachers and school administrators, for example.
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themesrob
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by themesrob »

there was a New Yorker article about the London police putting such skills to use a couple weeks ago...

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/ ... lice-force
FedGuy
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by FedGuy »

Go into politics? Voters might be impressed if you remember them from some campaign event months earlier.
randomguy
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by randomguy »

FedGuy wrote:Go into politics? Voters might be impressed if you remember them from some campaign event months earlier.
Not being able to remember names limits this usefulness of this ability for a lot of jobs where it would otherwise be really nifty.
SSH
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by SSH »

themesrob wrote:there was a New Yorker article about the London police putting such skills to use a couple weeks ago...

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/ ... lice-force
I heard a similar news story on npr a couple weeks ago. Very interesting job.
mac_guy
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by mac_guy »

You clearly have mutant abilities. You should join the X-men - they may have need for a Super Recognizer. Prof. X will mentor you and help you reach your full potential.
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by mac_guy »

On a more serious note, there was a story on 60 minutes a few years ago about people with super memories that was fascinating. These people can recall details about every day they have lived. It probably different than your skill (but maybe slightly related), but it is really interesting:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-gift-of-endless-memory/
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LadyGeek
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by LadyGeek »

This thread is now in the Personal Finance (Not Investing) forum (career guidance).
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TomatoTomahto
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by TomatoTomahto »

themesrob wrote:there was a New Yorker article about the London police putting such skills to use a couple weeks ago...

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/ ... lice-force
That was one of the most interesting New Yorker articles of 2016.

It sounds like you already have a job, but perhaps you can find a way to do it part-time for Homeland Security or local police forces.
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Shackleton
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by Shackleton »

I'm another that is the opposite of a Super Recognizer -- if I don't know you really well, or you have something that make you "unusual", I won't recognize you when I see you in a different location than where I'm used to seeing you.

On the other hand, I was just talking to my husband about how I wish there was a way to monetize my superpower -- care-free procrastination. I can put things off way past the point of (seemingly) no return, and still sleep fine at night. Then once I decide to actually do whatever it is, I can get it done in record time. I attribute this to the fact that during my "procrastination period", I am actually working on the problem in my mind, working out details, thinking of alternatives, organizing my thoughts, so that when the time comes to get it done I just have to put it down on paper. I'm a thought-worker, so obviously this works for me. If I were a plumber, this probably wouldn't be possible... But alas! I can't figure out how to monetize this power (aside from how I use it in my day-to-day job! :P )

If you can train yourself to also remember names, which seems like it should be possible since you remember other details, then I think you have a talent that would be valuable in law enforcement or politics. Or as a personal assistant to some high powered executive that is not a Super Recognizer, whispering details in their ear as people approach during various social or business functions.
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Leemiller
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by Leemiller »

There is a scene in the Devil Wears Prada where the assistants whisper details about people coming up to their boss in a party. Sounds like a good skill for sales or maybe the charity circuit.
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enrohT
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Re: What should I do with this knack? Super Recognizer

Post by enrohT »

I appreciate all the clever responses. I am gainfully employed, and not particularly looking to change career paths. I did my stint in the military, and don't have too much interest in law enforcement. TSA or a casino would actually be quite interesting! I definitely don't have a photographic memory or anything to that nature - I think it has something to do with recognizing shapes?

I also read the articles, and find the super recognizer detective groups crazy interesting!

Thus far, I've found it incredibly useful for networking - I run into people almost everywhere I go, and have made it a point to always say hello. (I just no longer tell them everything I know about them). That has expanded my network leaps and bounds!

Using that to help a high powered someone might be the way to go! Event escorter? Buy some in ear communications stuff and let them know who is who? Haha.
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