“A gravity-defying illusion has won the 2010 Best Illusion of the Year Contest, held yesterday in Naples, Florida.
The visual trick involves a 3D construction of four slopes that appear to extend downwards away from a common centre (see video). When wooden balls are placed on the slopes, however, they bizarrely roll upwards as if a magnet is pulling them.
But the “Impossible Motion” illusion, created by Kokichi Sugihara of the Meiji Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences in Kawasaki, Japan, is soon dispelled when it’s viewed from a different perspective – each slope is actually sloping downwards towards a common centre.
We’re fooled because we make the assumption that each supporting column of the object is vertical, and that the longest column in the centre is the highest. But in reality, the columns and slopes are angled to create the illusion.”
Read more at New Scientist
Wow, this is incredible.
Incredibly convincing illusion. I saw it first at Richard Wiseman’s blog, which is a really good place to find optical illusions and other similar stuff. Highly recommended for readers of the DB blog. A strong cross-over appeal.
http://www.richardwiseman.com/
Even when viewed from a more revealing angle, the illusion doesn’t quite disappear – it seems to persist as your brain looks for a way that the image ‘makes sense’.
The evidence shows that our senses are not always reliable. Optical illusions tell us so much about the structure of the brain, as well as our tendency to see patterns and images that aren’t there.
Could go on, but I won’t. Look at Mr Brown’s wonderful reading list.
Another example of how to assume makes an ass out of u and me
HAHA! hey, last nite in a solar energy class i was told that it’s possible to do a perpetual motion machine which actually works if ya use little teeny magnets. havent had a chance to research this yet, but i thought it was worth mentioning here.
Oohh, just love that!
Ha ha I love these sort of illusions……
LC x
I’m guessing this only works when seen on a 2D screen, with no parallax to help sort out the true position in space of the central dip. It’s a really painful gestalt shift as your brain changes its mind- it actually HURTS somewhere about an inch behind my eyes…
Nice work on Joe no-Power, very satisfying viewing.
Ah, another optical illusion. I at times wonder what makes people want to create them, and how they create them. And what drives them. Could it tell something about the person behind? Most people want to create something real, although lots end up with an illusion as well.
Oh well … I’m all in for the truth, I’ve had it with illusions to be honest, of whatever kind. Well .. let alone a few here and there, from time to time. We have to go forward, on and on .. and if we lack the truth .. we will create one of our own, a timeless truth .. not connected to life .. to distract our senses .. No, not this type of illusions I’m referreing to when it concerns me. I would not ask how/why they create those, if I know how/why they do what they do. I could my answer my questions, but ..
I had to write a 1500 word essay explaining the workings of an interesting optical illusion of my choice recently; shame I wasn’t able to use this! Still, University finals in two weeks and have an exam about the visual system. Maybe I can get it in there!
For babies/toddlers the whole world is still as if it were optical illusions .. the magical part of an optical illusion that is.
Ever noticed that the inside of a loo role (if you place it on its side so that you can see the round entrance of the tube inside) on the floor becomes smaller/larger when you start to focus .. must be an optical illusion .. or is the brain having trouble adapting … or is it just me not being normal .. it works every time I look at it … I rechecked and rechecked .. but it keeps moving ..
And ever noticed what happens when you bring your eyes towards eachother with the world ??? Amazing huh? Or stare into your lover’s eyes from very nearby …. (no, I did not pick that one, that is not my lover!!! Waaahhh !!).
Ha cool