Wordology, Prosopagnosia

Now that the holidays are about over and we met many new friends, it seems this disease might fit the discussion. People with prosopagnosia, about two percent of the population, find it difficult or impossible to remember faces, even their own. Some contort their own face when standing in front of a mirror in a crowded restroom so they can determine which is theirs. They are not technically face blind, but their brains cannot memorize what they see. Many prosopagnosics are ostracized by people who are offended that they are not recognized. There is no therapy or cure, so most learn to cope with prosopagnosia by using secondary clues such as clothing, gait, hair color, body shape, and voice to recognize friends, family, and co-workers.