Why do people hear a thud in this GIF?

[Greg Bernhardt]

This is going around Twitter. I must admit. I can "hear" a thud. Not really with my ears, but in my mind. Some have suggested it's an acoustic reflex or the gif matches your heart beat.

 

[Bystander]

"hear" a thud. Not really with my ears, but in my mind. Some have suggested it's an acoustic reflex or the gif matches your heart beat.

Not me --- there's something "off" with the timing --- seems to move side-ways, as well.

 

[phinds]

The whole picture jerks when the middle tower hits the ground. I think that is probably why some people "hear" a thud. I don't but I can see how it could happen.

 

[Algr]

I know that it isn't really sound, but yes I know what you are talking about. Maybe it is something like synesthesia that everyone has?

 

[Evo]

I don't hear anything. ? Do I expect to feel/hear something in conjunction with the video, yes, but don't actually.

 

[Evo]

I know that it isn't really sound, but yes I know what you are talking about. Maybe it is something like synesthesia that everyone has?

No, that would not be synesthesia, and not many people have synesthesia. My oldest daughter has it, she see letters as colors.

 

[Tom.G]

The whole picture jerks when the middle tower hits the ground. I think that is probably why some people "hear" a thud. I don't but I can see how it could happen.

I get a touch of vertigo when the picture jerks sideways at "impact." (Cute video though!)

 

[DS2C]

My eardum vibrates a bit watching it. I don't know if Id call it "hearing it" though. My hearing is all jacked up. Whenever I hit a snare drum my ears will echo and rattle. Kinda cool gif.

 

[Borek]

Definitely I feel some kind of "thud" effect. Interesting.

 

[Algr]

No, that would not be synesthesia, and not many people have synesthesia. My oldest daughter has it, she see letters as colors.

I was thinking more like the correctly functioning version of what breaks down when you have synesthesia. Perhaps your subconscious is bracing yourself so that you don't get overwhelmed by the sensation that ought to happen when a tower plays jump rope. When the expected sensation doesn't come, you become consciously aware of the bracing, and hear it as a sort of anti-sound.

 

[Vanadium 50]

On some screens I hear it, on others I don't. Large screens seem to show a larger effect.

 

[phinds]

On some screens I hear it, on others I don't. Large screens seem to show a larger effect.

Interesting. When I use Windows magnifier to make it much bigger, the effect, for me at least, is actually reduced instead of enhanced.

 

[WWGD]

This is going around Twitter. I must admit. I can "hear" a thud. Not really with my ears, but in my mind. Some have suggested it's an acoustic reflex or the gif matches your heart beat.

View attachment 216210

No wonder the power towers are in such good shape ;).

 

[PeroK]

This is going around Twitter. I must admit. I can "hear" a thud. Not really with my ears, but in my mind. Some have suggested it's an acoustic reflex or the gif matches your heart beat.

View attachment 216210

I can hear it and feel it!

 

[quantknight]

Even I felt the thud :D

 

[DaveC426913]

I've seen this before. Yup. I hear it.

Interestingly, I tuned into this thread and happened to immediately start reading the text of the OP without casting my eyes on the gif.
I only caught the motion out of the corner of my eye, and yet it still thumped immediately, drawing my attention.

Also, I happen to think it is one of the most hilariously brilliant gifs the internet has ever produced.