Random Thoughts: December 2008

Image by cangaroojack via FlickrVision is our most dominant sense among the five other senses. In some estimate it accounts for approximately eighty percent of sensory experience. In other words we are highly dependent upon it for finding our orientation through our surroundings including spotting for dangers. It is one of the most trusted organ and we tend to believe things that we see without verifying them by other means.

In many ways vision although one of the highly reliable senses is not totally foolproof. The adage that "Seeing is Believing" should be used carefully because we tend to accept what we see. The perception through vision is instantaneous and it may create automatic response without the benefit of evaluative process.

Considering the importance of vision in the scheme of thing Scientist have created an entire field of study that deals with visual illusions.

Visual Illusions are used used to study visual processes. They highlight how our vision works and how it creates the visual objects we perceive. It also shows how easy it is to create a visual illusion that fools our sense of vision.

Here is an Example that two rotating and how a subtle changes in objects can lead to different perceptions.

Two rings demonstration

One ring demonstration