There actually IS a kind of visual acuity that is better than 20/20; 20/15 is better, 20/10 is exceptional, 20/08 is pretty much superhuman. If you have 20/20 vision, that means that you can see at 20 feet what most people can see at 20 feet. If you have 20/15, you can see at 20 feet what most people must be 15 feet away to see. Contrariwise, if you have 20/200, it means that you see at 20 feet what most people can see at 200; you are legally blind.
~ killthemwithrhetoric

Thank you very much. Sometimes I am out if my depth when I answer questions and I’m glad this blog has people like you.

- TQ (Author of “A Guide to Becoming Sherlock Holmes”)

It’s a pretty good feeling when you uncover something.

- SH

(Source: n-e-z-i-s-t-i-e-l, via mazzathestrange)

As aforementioned, my line of work can be very dangerous and too often do I find myself handcuffed or tied to a chair. Therefore, it is imperative that you know how to escape from these situations with the utmost care as most criminals often carry guns with them as well. - SH

As aforementioned, my line of work can be very dangerous and too often do I find myself handcuffed or tied to a chair. Therefore, it is imperative that you know how to escape from these situations with the utmost care as most criminals often carry guns with them as well.

- SH

Im new to the whole Sherlock thing, and I would really like to become like you! Where do I start? - LC
~ lucylovessherlock

Thank you LC for your wonderful question! Many people have asked me this, hence why I have created a separate blog for this specific purpose however, what exactly do you mean by “become like you?” If you are wanting how to look like me, I have made several posts about it. If you are wanting to acquire my deduction skills and study my behaviour then please look through the archive at the specific photo/text posts which show in what ways you can “become” me.

Keep deducing!

- SH

Sherlock, I've always wondered what's the grade of your eyes. How on earth can you see thread sticking out of someone's clothes who are 5 feet away from you?
~ Anonymous

Thank you, dear Anon for your question. This is a question that even puzzles me because it seems like he has a sort of super power when it comes to observing things from far away. What is better than 20/20 vision? I don’t even know if that is even possible! I will endeavour to find out for you, dear Anon.

- TQ (Author of “A Guide to Becoming Sherlock Holmes”)

“Before you say anything, I’d like to remind you that I’m holding an axe.”

~ Sherlock Holmes in CBS series, “Elementary”
Sir, may I just say that I am an enormous fan and aspire to one day be a consulting detective. I understand it is a lofty goal, but you are inspirational and I have put considerable effort into this endeavor already. I just wanted to first thank you for the crucial insight into observation and deduction you dispense with unparalleled frugality and the eloquence and consistency of it is equally impressive. Thank you so much for all the tools you have given me, and I hope to make you proud. -CS
~ Anonymous

Thank you very much, CS. It is so wonderful that this blog is not a complete waste of time and TQ is pleased to hear such praise as well. It not often that I receive mail such as this so I wish you the best of luck with your deductions and I wish you a good day.

- SH

Hello! Your deduction skills are top notch but I was wondering, does it ever get overwhelming? Can you discriminate certain sensory information or can it flood you like if you were in, say, a very crowded area like a subway or mall?-EMH
~ the-other-greengrass-girl

Thank you very much, EMH. Yes, it can become quite overwhelming when I am in particular places such as football matches or aeroplanes, there is too much to analyse especially if I deduce that there is a chance I might be killed on a plane flight because I see sweat on the pilot’s brow or a twitch of his fingers. Sometimes, when I am at restaurants or on subway trains, I can block out certain noises however, this is not a fool-proof method. 

Keep deducing!

- SH

Dear Sherlock,sometimes, I daydream a lot. When I am just waiting or staring out the window my mind starts to wander into a different world, and sometimes I even daydream for hours. Is it bad, or have you experienced it? If so, how do I remain alert and observant and stop my mind from wandering anywhere and stay focused?
~ Anonymous

My dear Anon, I believe you worry too much about the little things. It’s perfectly normal to daydream for a normal person. As a very young boy, I used to day dream a lot about all the adventures I could have; travelling to new places, meeting new people, learning about new languages and cultures. In my line of work though, it is a dangerous thing to do. You could be watching a criminal’s house and daydreaming, then the next moment, you are dangling 3 metres from the ground upside-down. If you find yourself daydreaming for hours, perhaps it’s a good time to rest. I mean, we are all humans, not robots.

With regards to your second question, try doing some puzzles/crosswords or exercise. 

Keep deducing!

- SH

(Source: aguidetodeduction)

I am told by quite a few of my friends that I am quite like sherlock in some aspects. My IQ is quite high, my deductive reasoning is beyond that of everyone I know, and I am... somewhat eccentric. I would like to improve; however, I have found no answer. I seem to have hit the peak of my deduction skills. With this, I shall not accept defeat. How can I best improve?
~ Anonymous

My dear Anon, I am glad that my blog is useful to you, as there are many people in the world *Anderson* who let their brains rot throughout their daily lives. I would advise to look at the archive where I have given some exercises of observation and deduction.

People-watching at the park, on the tube, on the bus can be particularly interesting. Next time you’re on a bus or car ride, look outside your window; try to deduce as many things as possible before your vehicle stops at traffic lights. Try to build upon that for the next part of the journey. I know it sounds tedious but the more you practice and develop your skills, the better you become. 

Best of luck!

- SH

Is your memory palace that can be accessed during waking hours the same place where you unconsciously go at night during REM sleep?
~ ccsa

Thank you ccsa for your wonderful question! First of all, it is a rare occasion that I sleep, especially when I am working a particularly troubling case, because I see it as an unnecessary waste of time. Second of all, I don’t think that I have ever accessed it when I am asleep but I shall endeavour to try it the next time I do enter a period of REM sleep. 

Keep deducing!

- SH

(Source: aguidetodeduction)

Suggested Anonymously.

Suggested Anonymously.

what happened to anderson's blog?
~ Anonymous

I’m sorry dear Anon, but I do not understand your question. Anderson’s Guide to Graphology, to the best of my knowledge is still alive and doing well. You can follow his blog here. I’m sure he’ll be glad to have another follower.

- SH