Category Archives: Perception and Reality

The Science of Optical Illusions

Have you ever seen an optical illusion? Read this article to explore some amazing optical illusions, and find out what they can reveal about how our brains work.

An “invisibility cloak” prototype material by Hyperstealth Biotechnology

Watch the video to see a real-life invisibility cloak! Thanks to innovative technology, humans are one step closer to achieving invisibility, which can have practical and military applications.

Woman On Street Attacked By Giant Snail, It Seems

The artist Julian Beever uses perspective to create amazing sidewalk art that looks three-dimensional—as long as you look at it from the right angle.

Magnified photos expose the secret beauty of sand grains

Dr. Gary Greenberg uses high-quality microscopes to magnify and photograph grains of sand from beaches all over the world. Read this brief article to learn more. Make sure to click the link to view his spectacular images.

Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion

This video explains how a human characteristic called ‘persistence of vision’ is the key to motion in animation.

What color is Tuesday? Exploring synesthesia

What would you do if music made you see colors or numbers had a taste? Synesthesia occurs when two senses are combined. Watch a video about this amazing neurological trait.

People With Negative Self-Image Experience Setbacks More Frequently

Self-esteem can greatly impact aspects of our lives, for better or worse. A positive self-esteem is critical to avoiding setbacks and building ourselves up. Gain insight into why this occurs and learn how to make a positive change.

Five tricks of the senses

Tongues can smell, sight can make us hear what isn’t there, and color can influence taste?! Read the article to learn more about how our five senses can be influenced by outside sources.

The ‘Canali’ and the First Martians

In 1894, Percival Lowell looked through his telescope and believed he saw canals on Mars. He thought they were proof of intelligent life on that planet. But were they really canals? Read about what Lowell actually saw and the effect of his theory on people’s imaginations.

Imagination Can Change What We Hear and See

The “power of the imagination” often seems an exaggerated term. However, according to a recent study in the field of neuroscience, the mind is capable of sending sensory signals that can seem quite real. Read on to find out more about this twist of perception.

15 Magic Tricks You Didn’t Know You Could Do

Has someone ever asked if you had a trick up your sleeve? The answer can literally be yes if you learn any of the 15 tricks detailed in this article.

Ebos Landing

Enslaved people transformed the horrors of slavery into a myth of hope and freedom. Read more about the inspiration for the flying slave myth.

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You Can’t See This (Mind Tricks)

Watch this video to see how our brains interpret what our eyes see, and explore why this human trait may have been a necessary adaptation.

AR app lets kids with cancer escape into an imaginary world

Watch the video to see how augmented reality can be used to help kids with cancer.

See what U.S. bills would look like with all women on them

With the help of augmented reality and an app, important women in history can now appear on any dollar bill. Read the article to learn more.

Can You Think Your Way To That Hole-In-One?

In her experiment, psychologist Jessica Witt uses a visual trick to make golfers more successful. What else might we be able to improve by using these visual tricks?