What do You See? Brain Game Test - News.com.au

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a brain game test involving an optical illusion of a spinning figure, exploring perceptions of its rotational direction. Participants share their experiences and interpretations, touching on concepts of left-brain and right-brain thinking, creativity, and the nature of visual perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants see the figure spinning counter-clockwise, while others perceive it as spinning clockwise.
  • A few participants report being able to switch their perception between the two directions with concentration or by changing their focus.
  • One participant argues that the shadow of the figure indicates it must be spinning clockwise, while another challenges this assertion, suggesting both directions are plausible.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of the left-brain/right-brain dichotomy in relation to the illusion.
  • Several participants mention their personal experiences with the illusion, including feelings of confusion or surprise when the direction appears to change.
  • One participant notes that their ambidexterity may influence their perception of the spinning direction.
  • Another participant describes a technique involving verbal cues to switch the perceived direction of the spin.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the direction of the spin, with multiple competing views remaining. Some agree on the ability to see both directions, while others firmly assert one direction over the other.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence in their interpretations, and some mention the influence of visual details, such as shadows, on their perceptions. The discussion includes references to personal experiences and subjective interpretations of the illusion.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in optical illusions, cognitive psychology, and the interplay between perception and creativity may find this discussion engaging.

  • #61
When she is spinning clockwise, and the foot which is lifted up passes in front of the foot which is planted on the ground, then the shadow of the lifted foot passes in front of the shadow of the planted foot as would be expected.

However, when she is spinning counter-clockwise, and the foot which is lifted up passes in back of the foot which is planted on the ground, then the shadow of the lifted foot still passes in front of the shadow of the planted foot and this is difficult to explain.
 
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  • #62
jimmysnyder said:
When she is spinning clockwise, and the foot which is lifted up passes in front of the foot which is planted on the ground, then the shadow of the lifted foot passes in front of the shadow of the planted foot as would be expected.

However, when she is spinning counter-clockwise, and the foot which is lifted up passes in back of the foot which is planted on the ground, then the shadow of the lifted foot still passes in front of the shadow of the planted foot and this is difficult to explain.

You guys are all WAY too left-brained to be analyzing the shadow at this level of detail.
 
  • #63
This is so weird! I could see it going both ways, but I always see it going clockwise first. I can't figure out how it works, and I can't just pick which way I want to see it; I have to look away or just stare at it for a long time for it to switch directions. It's so confusing though!
 
  • #64
clockwise
 
  • #65
I can see both directions such that the shadow looks valid. The "slope of the floor" and position of light source both seem to shift.
 
  • #66
This is an example of "perceptual rivalry" as the silhouette gives no clues as to what is left or right, so our brains fill in the missing info. Sometimes the brain makes it clockwise, sometimes the brain makes it anit-clockwise. This is linked to switching between the brain's hemispheres - we all switch between the differrent sides to our brains, but the timing varies from person to person.

For those interested, check out Prof. Jack Pettigrew's webpage. This animation is mentioned at point 7 on the following page: http://www.uq.edu.au/nuq/jack/rivalry.html
 
  • #67
I went went cross eyed, and the image split into two images, one spun clockwise, and the other counter clockwise. Then both images together began rotating one way on the horizontal axis, and on the vertical axis. Then that entire visualization split into four, and began some complex pattern that seamed to be also linked to a strange glowing orb that surrounded the whole thing, and got brighter and dimmer, and switched colors depending on which eye I concentrated on.
 
  • #68
Chi Meson said:
I can see both directions such that the shadow looks valid. The "slope of the floor" and position of light source both seem to shift.
I don't think so. The degeneracy is broken by the fact that the observer is on one side of the woman, not by the position of the light source.
 
  • #69
does us being able to switch directions mean that we can switch our dependence or reliance or usage from the left to the right side of the brain and vice versa?
 
  • #70
If I look to the left, right, or bottom of the image and use averted vision (useful in observational astronomy) I can manage to see her spinning counter-clockwise if I put my mind to it. Looking at or above the image, she always spins clockwise, and I can't seem to change that.
 
  • #71
I saw clockwise no problem, but I had to scroll down and focus on just a small part of the foot before seeing it go counter clockwise.
 
  • #72
I initially saw her spinning counterclockwise (when did it become "anti" anyway?) and that was it. Then I read lisab saying to look to the side, and the I saw the image spinning clockwise. Once I see her moving clockwise, though, I can't get it to switch back to counterclockwise. That's a very, very cool effect.
 
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  • #73
but still nobody answered, does us being able to switch directions mean that we can switch our dependence or reliance or usage from the left to the right side of the brain and vice versa?

this is important because if we can then this raises many questions.
 
  • #74
At first she appeared to rotate clockwise. Then I read some text- then she rotated counter-clockwise. I looked away at a photo, then looked back and she was rotating clockwise again. I read some text again and she reversed direction. Looked away at a photo and when I looked back again she had reversed direction again.
For me it seems that stimulating my brain with text vs. images determines which way she appears to rotate.
 
  • #75
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BpdiVcmoZ5k

If you watch it on here and click on random spots on the video using the bar it is a lot easier to realize that you can see her going in both directions.
 
  • #76
AhmedEzz said:
but still nobody answered, does us being able to switch directions mean that we can switch our dependence or reliance or usage from the left to the right side of the brain and vice versa?

this is important because if we can then this raises many questions.

Of course you can switch back and forth. The question is can you do this at will? Again the answer is of course if you learn how.
 
  • #77
Mike Nagle said:
Of course you can switch back and forth. The question is can you do this at will? Again the answer is of course if you learn how.

flip the switch in your brain of course :-p

it's funny, I was looking at her and making her just stay facing me while flipping left to right and back and forth again while never seeing her rotating in one whole circle. It's all about mind control. I had fun doing that. (switching from one side of my brain to the other) :biggrin:
 
  • #78
I can see nipples.
 
  • #79
Tom Mattson said:
I can see nipples.

Which way are the nipples spinning :smile: ?
 
  • #80
lisab said:
Which way are the nipples spinning :smile: ?
Delightfully.
 
  • #81
Exactly.
 
  • #82
Tom Mattson said:
I can see nipples.

Okay, now stop staring at your girlfriend and tell us about the picture. :biggrin:
 
  • #83
What?!----MB--do you want a "woman's version"?

(a man spinning, that is)
 
  • #84
rewebster said:
What?!----MB--do you want a "woman's version"?

(a man spinning, that is)

:biggrin: Honestly, I thought he was just joking. After your comment, I had to go back and look, and sure enough, there are nipples. Just goes to show the differences in what men and women notice. :smile: (I'm not sure that a man spinning with one leg up would necessarily be flattering to the man though...it's funny how a naked woman can jump up and down and men get turned on by everything that jiggles, but if a naked man jumps up and down, the women just laugh at everything that jiggles :biggrin:).
 
  • #85
MB--one more reason why there are more male Artists (looking for models)


-------------

Moonbear said:
(I'm not sure that a man spinning with one leg up would necessarily be flattering to the man though...it's funny how a naked woman can jump up and down and men get turned on by everything that jiggles, but if a naked man jumps up and down, the women just laugh at everything that jiggles :biggrin:).


or the sun dial effect
 
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  • #86
rewebster said:
MB--one more reason why there are more male Artists (looking for models)

speaking of models...this reminds me of art class and I had to look at a nude male model who was gray haired and had things sagging ALL OVER. I seriously was thinking of burning out my eyes after that and it wouldn't be so hard as the lab is in the building across the street :rolleyes:

But I was lucky that for the long hr draw, his front wasn't facing me, when he sat in the "thinking man" position. Not only that, after we finished drawing, we were ordered to turn our drawings and show the class, and the people who had the front view drew that "area" rather vaguely to say the least. :smile:
 

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