Mariner’s wife has a computer with access to several sites where stored photographs are kept – thousands upon thousands of photographs. She has arranged for this collection to be her screensaver; each photograph fills the screen for about five seconds or so. Many times mariner has watched dozens of photographs flash by representing the entire life experience of his family.

One pattern has emerged: If mariner ever met them, he knows every single face in that library. With absolute certainty he recognizes every single face. What’s their name? Dunno. When did you know them? Dunno. How do they fit into family history? Dunno. But with absolute assurance, he recognizes every face.

Is this another subconscious skill possessed by Homos? Perhaps by many species! Sheep seem to know each other; it must be the face. There was an episode on TV some time ago where a grown lion recognized his befriended keeper from years ago when the lion was young. From 50 feet away ran up to keeper, stood on his hind feet and gave the keeper hugs and kisses. 50 feet away – was it a visual recognition?

One time mariner was standing in an elevator when a woman entered and immediately said “Hi” and asked him how his life was doing. He recognized her face immediately but it took a minute to remember he knew her in middle school, about 20 years ago.

Mariner suggests the reader should test themselves to validate this pattern of memory combined with ignorance.

Ancient Mariner