Look at one point - can you make the train change directions?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception of motion in a visual stimulus, specifically a gif of a train. Participants explore how their gaze and focus can influence their perception of the train's direction, relating it to other visual phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes difficulty in changing the train's direction while maintaining focus on the same spot.
  • Another participant suggests that slight shifts in gaze can lead to a perceived change in direction, but questions the possibility of doing so without eye movement.
  • A participant describes the ability to control the perceived direction of the train by focusing at a certain level and thinking about its motion, drawing a parallel to a ballerina illusion where focus affects perceived rotation.
  • One participant humorously claims they can make the train stay at the station and wobble, indicating a playful engagement with the visual perception.
  • Another participant echoes this sentiment, adding humor to the discussion with a playful comment about making milkshakes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varied experiences and techniques regarding their ability to influence the perceived motion of the train, indicating that there is no consensus on the methods or effectiveness of these techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different visual phenomena and personal experiences, suggesting that individual perception may vary significantly based on focus and gaze direction.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in visual perception, cognitive psychology, or those exploring optical illusions may find this discussion relevant.

lisab
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
2,050
Reaction score
612
When I look at the top of the gif, the train comes toward me. When I look at the bottom, it goes away from me.

I have a hard time making it change while looking at the same spot, though.

2gQNvar.gif
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn
Physics news on Phys.org
I can make it roughly change directions simply shifting my gaze a few pixels to the left and right. I don't know if I can do it without moving my eye at all.
 
I can stare at about the window level of the train and think about it coming towards me and it does, and then think about it going away from me, and it does. I can do that pretty easily.
This reminds me of the ballerina one, where she can switch directions by just thinking about it. I can't look at her and change her spinning direction, I have to look at her shadow. She naturally always spins clockwise for me, but if I look at her shadow, I can make her spin counterclockwise, but then she's stuck spinning counterclockwise until I look at her shadow again.
220px-Spinning_Dancer.gif


But I just realized, if I look at the image through my peripheral vision, and not directly, I can think about her spinning one way, and that's what I'll see. I only have control over her when not looking directly at her.
 
I can make it stay at the station and just wobble there for no reason. The passengrs certainly cannot get on or off.
 
256bits said:
I can make it stay at the station and just wobble there for no reason. The passengrs certainly cannot get on or off.
Heh heh. Making milk shakes.
 
That's a good one Lisab :)

Dave
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K