• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

I love this optical illusion

sickstan

Thinker
S
Joined
Jul 15, 2002
Messages
179
Since you guys are all staring at a monitor now, try this. Look intently at the corners of the largest bright solid graphic (an open window or dialog box) and make a LOUD raspberry (a farting sound made from pursed lips). First time I encountered this I thought I had messed up my monitor.
 
sickstan said:
Since you guys are all staring at a monitor now, try this. Look intently at the corners of the largest bright solid graphic (an open window or dialog box) and make a LOUD raspberry (a farting sound made from pursed lips). First time I encountered this I thought I had messed up my monitor.
Click to expand...
Are you supposed to flap your lips so much that your eyes jiggle?
 
Are you using an LCD monitor? Sorry I haven't had a chance to test it on LCD screens.
 
sickstan said:
Are you using an LCD monitor? Sorry I haven't had a chance to test it on LCD screens.
Click to expand...
Yes, an LCD with a digital DVI connection. The image is rock solid. May I presume then that the vibration of your eyes is supposed to beat with the scanning of the phosphor on a CRT?
 
Forcibly blowing your nose is a good cover (if at work and too self-concious to make a rassberie sound):p
 
The only things that happened are that the cat is staring at me, and I feel really silly.

What is supposed to happen?
 
If nothing happens for you, try moving closer to the screen. A distance of about one foot seems to work. :D
 
Julia said:
The only things that happened are that the cat is staring at me, and I feel really silly.

What is supposed to happen?
Click to expand...

Well, for me the screen image seems to deform and wiggle. It appears to contract vertically and deform horizontally, independently from the plastic casing around the glass screen. It's probably from a beat frequency difference between the scan frequency and the semi-chaotic vibration of your skull and eyes as you observe what normally appears to be a solid, still picture.

If this doesn't work, try making a chortling sound like you would if you were trying to hack up a loogie (hkkk -- ptui!)

BTW, I SWEAR I'm not making this up.
 
sickstan said:
Since you guys are all staring at a monitor now, try this. Look intently at the corners of the largest bright solid graphic (an open window or dialog box) and make a LOUD raspberry (a farting sound made from pursed lips). First time I encountered this I thought I had messed up my monitor.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't you say this is a ' phenomenon ', rather than an illusion?
 
For a less "idiot look" inspiring version, try humming the lowest note you can. You should see the screen oscillate. I do believe you are seeing the difference between your humming frequency and the vertical refresh rate of your monitor.


Whomp!
 
Argh!!! Nothing happens! I have tried every sound, and done exactly what's described. Argh!!! :mad:
 
I think this might be more noticable with older CRT monitors using slower refresh rates. My older Mac monitor with a 60Hz rate seriously funks up. My current monitor can be set up to 117Hz, a rate at which the effect is unnoticable.

I can see how it could make you think the monitor is busted.
 
BTW, here's some more really cool optical illusions.
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/~akitaoka/o1saishe.html

I kinda like this one:
sakuras2b.gif
 
sickstan said:
First time I encountered this I thought I had messed up my monitor.
Click to expand...
I messed up my monitor looking at your avatar.....

.....hey, the cat's licking it clean!!!

BJ
(No, the monitor :rolleyes: )
 
well, someone once sent me a link at work. you were supposed to squint and stare at it up close. after about 10 seconds the flash animation would play a farting sound.

so basically your co-workers would look at you making a funny face and hear a fart. ha ha, hee hee joke's on you.

is this the same joke, albeit a low-tech variety?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom