Law and Magic Blog

Gustav Kuhn on Why We See What's Not There @smellosopher @NautilusMag @GustavKuhn

Magician Gustav Kuhn delves into the workings of the brain to explain how our brains help ua navigate the world. He says in part:

 

Picking up objects and interacting with our physical world requires accurate representations of the objects around us, and our perceptual errors imply that we should constantly misjudge our actions. Although my perceptual system is often fooled by illusions, I rarely misjudge where to reach. The reason why I don’t make these mistakes is that the part of the visual system responsible for orchestrating these actions is not fooled by visual illusions. 

 

Read the entire article here at Nautilus Magazine.

Sometimes, however, our brains stutter, and that's when they deceive us. Optical illusions are fascinating! More here.

A New, Brain Teasing Show On the National Geographic Channel

Premiering tonight on the National Geographic Channel: Brain Games. Nine p.m., eight Central time. Looks like a very interesting show.

The Trick Is Told When the Trickster Is Fed

And maybe not even then.

 

Courtesy Icanhascheezburger.com.

A Tempest of Illusion From Marco

The Daily Telegraph has this article about magician Marco Tempest's iPod app. He uses technology to create illusions, and discusses how deception in art can lead to truth. While the article refers to iPhones, Mr. Tempest actually refers to iPods.

Who Ya Gonna Believe? Me? Or Your Lying' Eyes?

NPR's Robert Krulwich brings us yet more proof that eyewitness evidence might not be all that reliable. Professor Kokichi Sugihara creates simple (or not so simple) little gadgets that make a mess of our brains. "See" here.

The Virgin Mary Visits--Sweep Up!

So, now people have spotted the image of the Virgin Mary in a Bakesfield, California, barber shop....although not everyone is sure. One woman says she thinks it looks more like the Statue of Liberty. More religious image stories here (the image of Jesus or the image of Einstein in a door), here (the face of Satan in a tile--Willie Geist points out that he should get equal time), and here (an image of Jesus on a map of a Hungarian village). Here's an image of what some think is an image of Jesus on a telephone pole (Hathaway, Louisiana). Interesting pictures, all. When I see such things, frankly, I just look again. And again. And then I move on.

"How'd They Do That?"

The new issue of Scientific American Mind has an interesting excerpt from Stephen L. Macknik and Susanna Martinez Conde's new book Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Everyday Deceptions (Henry Holt, 2010). The excerpt (and book) reveal the basis for some tricks, and contains interviews with Apollo Robbins, Teller, and other greats. But more than that, this book continues the conversation about how and why magic works, as well as why it fascinates us.

Is It Jesus Or Albert?

Oh, you knew I couldn't pass this item up. Willie Geist highlights this story about a fellow in Kansas City who wants $15,000 (you pick it up) for this door in which you might discern either the face of Jesus or the ghost of Albert Einstein. My pick: Uncle Albert, although I have to say that the image really reminds me of one of those sixteenth or seventeenth century historical figures--maybe Philip II of Spain or Cardinal Mazarin on a bad day. eBay allows sellers to advertise objects that are purported to be "haunted." The theory: the buyer pays for the object and actually has something left if the ghost decides to wander off before the chosen delivery service drops off the package.

If you like this example of pareidolia, check out this image discussed in the Telegraph. It's supposed to be Jesus seen in a map of the planet taken from outer space.

Sightings of the Other Guy

From Willie Geist: a sighting of Satan in a tile in a couple's newly renovated bathroom. Who ya gonna sue?

The Great Felini

Unveils another amazing illusion.

Courtesy of I can has cheezburger.com.