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.
Category Archives: Perception and Reality
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.
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?
Event Horizon: How Space Changes Your Perspective On Life
The social and physical boundaries of Earth fade away in space. Watch this video to gain a different perspective on conflict.
How your supermarket could manipulate you for your own good
You may think you are in control while grocery shopping, but watch the video to learn how supermarket design can impact the decisions you make.
What Is Sonic Seasoning? Listening To Music Can Actually Change How Your Coffee Tastes
Different sounds can impact your perception of different taste. See how “sonic seasoning” works by reading the article and trying it yourself.
Why Your Brain Sometimes Hears Sounds That Don’t Exist
Your brain can trick you into hearing things that aren’t there in a phenomenon called “aural illusions.” Watch the video to test your brain and ears.
A street magician’s tricks make everyday technology magical and mysterious
Watch this video to see how Doug McKenzie combines street magic with familiar technological items like cellphones.
But Did You See the Gorilla? The Problem With Inattentional Blindness
Is it possible to look directly at something—and not see it? Yes! Inattentional blindness can occur when you are focusing intently on something in particular and fail to notice other things in your frame of view. Check out this article to learn more.
Japanese tour firm offers virtual reality holidays – with a first-class seat
Thanks to virtual reality, First Airlines passengers sightsee destinations around the world without ever leaving the ground.
How your eyes trick your mind
Scroll through this article from the start through “Early Illusions” to better understand what illusions reveal about your brain. Then, watch the “New Illusions” video for an updated version of an early illusion.
Truth vs. Perception vs. Reality
Watch this video to learn about the ladder rungs our brains climb so they can gather information and make use of it to determine what’s going on around us.
What is a Mental Map?
What is a mental map? Well, it’s a process both humans and animals use daily to find their way around. But, a mental map is more than spatial awareness. This article touches on the bigger effect of mental maps and how they can be influenced.
Brain game: bringing Paddington to life on screen
The use of technologies such as CGI (computer-generated imagery) can make a little bear from Peru appear very real. We take on board the personality and challenges of the “guy” as if he were human. Read more about the technical challanges here.
Dalston House: Where Every Visitor Becomes Spider-Man
In his latest art installation, Leandro Erlich uses mirrors to create an optical illusion on a grand scale. Watch this video interview with the artist.
Strange Worlds: Miniature Condiment Landscapes
Nothing is quite what it appears to be! At least that’s the case in the photograph’s of Matthew Albanese.
Augmented Reality
What if you could look at a building through your smartphone and see a layer of information about what’s inside? Well, you can with augmented reality technology. Here’s an illustrated explanation.