Figures that vary relying on… you!
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not your creativity that’s playing tricks on you. Here’s why your eyes may feel a reality different from that of your neighbor:
- Your contrast sensitivity: Our eyes are not all wired the same way. Some people are naturally more sensitive to nuances of light and shadow.
- The quality of your screen: A high-definition screen can discover details that others completely obscure. Yes, technology plays a role too!
- Your gaze position: Tilting your head slightly or moving away from the image can suddenly know a previously invisible number. Surprising, isn’t it?
- Result: this illusion becomes a fun little test… but one to be taken lightly!
A fun game (but not a medical test!)
Don’t get overly excited because this spiral has no medical significance, even if it can appear to be testing your visual perception. It isn’t a recognized vision test or a way to check for eye conditions.
Nevertheless, it’s still a great method to realize how complicated our perception is. Because our perception is influenced by both our eyes and the way our brain processes the information.
Some tips to better see (or see again) the image
If you want to try the experiment again, here are some little techniques to perhaps detect the famous number in its entirety:
- Step back slightly: Sometimes too much proximity blurs the lines.
- Raise your head or your screen: It only takes a slight movement to unveil a new detail.
- You could be shocked by the results if you change the brightness or increase the contrast on your screen!
- For those who are further interested, the original image’s answer is 3452839. Were you able to guess it?
A spiral, a few figures… and a lovely perception lesson
The number spiral illusion serves as evidence that our senses are not always reliable. However, it serves as a helpful reminder that, like ourselves, our viewpoints are distinct.
Are you prepared to tackle additional visual challenges? Compare your responses, share this illusion with others, and most importantly, enjoy a new perspective!
