Optical Illusions v1.0

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Optical Illusionsv1.0
Directions Its pretty straight forward -P
However, just a tip some of the examples have a
lot of white space around them. I recommend
cutting most of the white space out so it doesnt
look too empty. Maybe back them with
construction paper or something. Comments Id be
more than happy to hear what people think of
this. E-mail comments, questions, marriage
proposals, and lawsuit notices to
jbarron1_at_ksc.mailcruiser.com Oh, and if you
dont mind e-mail me if you use it so I know
where it ends up. Just curious! ?
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Optical Illusions
An optical illusion is characterized by visually
perceived images that, at least in common sense
terms, are deceptive or misleading.
Wikipedia.org Most people have seen an optical
illusion at some point in their lives. Maybe it
was a geometric shape that would be impossible to
replicate in reality maybe youve seen shapes
appear to move as you stare at them on a sheet of
paper... or maybe youve seen colors changing as
you look around an image. There are tons of
optical illusions out there but have you ever
wondered what makes them optical illusions? How
do they work? How can you see something you know
doesnt exist? Well, Im not going to dig into
the scientific reasons for it all but Ill give
a brief definition, then lots of examples that
you can scratch your head at.
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Two Types
Physiological
Physiological optical illusions are the kind that
occur after staring at a bright light for a few
seconds. The theory is that they result from an
over-stimulation of certain neurological pathways
in the brain. In other words, if you
over-stimulate your vision by staring at a bright
light and then close your eyes, youll see an
afterimage of that light.
Cognitive

• Cognitive optical illusions can be broken down
  into a few categories
• Ambiguous Cause a change in perception due to
  multiple interpretations.
• Distorting Appear to distort an objects size,
  length, curvature, color, etc.
• Paradox Images/shapes that could not exist in
  reality (impossible objects).
• Fictional Illusions that literally dont exist
  (aka Hallucinations).

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The American Flag?
Stare at the flag for thirty seconds, then
quickly look at a blank wall or white piece of
paper. What do you see?
This is an example of a physiological optical
illusion.
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The Necker Cube
Can you tell which orientation the wire frame
cube is?
? OR ?
This is an example of an ambiguous cognitive
optical illusion.
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Rubin Vase
What is this a picture of?
Faces or vases?This is an example of an
ambiguous cognitive optical illusion.
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Café Wall Illusion
Are the horizontal lines straight and parallel,
or curved?
This is an example of a distorting cognitive
optical illusion.
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Mueller-Lyer Illusion
Which line is the longest? Shortest?
Hint Get a ruler check them out.This is an
example of a distorting cognitive optical
illusion.
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Penrose Triangle
Hey architecture majors, lets see you make this
This is an example of a paradox cognitive optical
illusion.
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Penrose Stairs
Id love to see someone try to get to the top.
This is an example of a paradox cognitive optical
illusion.
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Who's That?
Focus on the four dots for 45 seconds, then
quickly look at a wall and blink.
This is an example of a physiological optical
illusion.
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Checker Shadow Illusion
Which square is darker? A or B?
This one blows me away theyre the same
shade!This is an example of a distorting
cognitive optical illusion.
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Scintillating Grid Illusion
Can you find the black circles?
Hint There are no black circles ?This is an
example of a distorting cognitive optical
illusion.
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Simultaneous Contrast Illusion
In the middle bar, is the left or right side
lighter?
Yet again blows me away. Try covering up the
outer gradient and focus on the middle line.This
is an example of a distorting cognitive optical
illusion.
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Rotating Circles
Look at the black dot as you move your head
backward and foreward.
Do you notice anything rotating?This is an
example of a distorting cognitive optical
illusion.
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Want More?
The internet is full of websites containing
optical illusions. Some even sell books full of
them! The examples and definitions that Ive
used can be found at the website listed below.
The site also has numerous links to other famous
illusions. Enjoy! http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Optical_illusion Reality is merely an illusion,
albeit a very persistent one. Albert Einstein