Tag Archives: Richard Gregory

Failing to See the Illusion

Every year, there is a competition for who can come up with the best ‘illusion’:

http://illusionoftheyear.com/

This year’s winner is a dynamic variant of the Ebbinghaus Illusion (by Christopher D. Blair, Gideon P. Caplovitz, and Ryan E.B. Mruczek at University of Nevada Reno):

There are several runners-up including one called ‘A Turn in the Road’ (by Kimberley D. Orsten and James R. Pomerantz, Rice University, Houston):

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I can see the dynamic Ebbinghaus effect (although not sure of the difference in seeing it from the side).

However, try as I might I have not been able to see the illusion in the ‘Turn in the Road’.

I don’t see how rearranging the different images alters which one seems to be the odd one out. When the video finishes with an overlap it is unsurprising.

But I think I know what I am supposed to experience. And, perhaps, what is being assumed to be behind this alleged experience.

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