Last week I made a new 59 Seconds video….here it is and more about it after the break…
First, thanks to everyone involved, including Emma, Ringo, David, Caroline and Joshua.
So, what was the idea?
Well, I know that every time I produce a video asking people to do something, only some people actually follow my instructions. Was it possible, I wondered, to produce something that worked for both those that do, and do not, follow the instructions. This thought, combined with a Penn and Teller routine called ‘The Honor System’, made me think that it might be fun to ask people to close their eyes and have one experience for those that follow the instructions and another for those that don’t.
It was quite clear from testing of a earlier version (various versions of the Quirkology clips are tested on lots of people before the final clip is made) that many people would never watch the clip with their eyes open and so miss an important element of it. I threw in the puppy reference to try and get around the problem, and that seems to have made some people curious enough to watch it again.
Anyway, do let me know what you think!
July 14, 2009 at 6:38 am |
I was distracted by the fact that my arms began feeling the exact opposite of what was being described (my right arm felt very heavy and the left felt like it was floating) and so I opened one eye to see what was going on. Naturally I caught a glimpse of the image and kept my eyes open from then on but I was very much confused because though I felt the opposite of what was being said, my arms were still even. So basic, all round confusion from that one.
July 14, 2009 at 6:39 am |
……you know Ringo? Will he do one more autograph for me?
July 14, 2009 at 7:58 am |
Yup, the puppy reference (and the “it’s even better with eyes open” [or however that was phrased] annotation) got me to watch it a second time.
And then show it to everyone I know.
And watch it a few more times myself.
Great work!
Oh, and my arms definitely separated – whether that’s an indication of my imaginativeness or my frequent hypnosis work remains to be seen.
July 14, 2009 at 8:27 am |
Our puppy (OK, 3 years old already) ran barking into my room just when I was listening to the video with eyes closed and arms stretched. It does that all the time though when someone walks outside, so probably there isn’t anything funny going on.
(Or is there, it now did that the second time when I played the beginning of the video again… hmm….)
July 14, 2009 at 9:18 am |
Hahaha oh wow, I saw this vid and did the test a couple of days ago when it showed up in my Youtube subscriptions, and I actually did close my eyes when prompted. I never saw the whole textboards+puppy thing until just now!
July 14, 2009 at 10:08 am |
oh noes not the puppies.
July 14, 2009 at 10:28 am |
Haha Sneaky. I actually closed the browser and went back to my Twitter client before it hit me: “Wait… puppy? Did he…?”
I had to come back, just to see.
July 14, 2009 at 10:42 am |
Wow. First time round, I was very suspicious, apparently.
Second time, very imaginative!
Nice test.
July 14, 2009 at 12:10 pm |
Loved this. Had to watch it a second time, and enjoy is all. Made me laugh.
July 14, 2009 at 12:15 pm |
Despite the fact that I lack imagination and my personality tends to be analytical and I am devoted to puzzles, my arms did as you commanded and were rather wide apart! Exception to every rule I suppose!
July 14, 2009 at 12:17 pm |
And then I saw the puppy!
July 14, 2009 at 12:32 pm |
I watched (or rather listened for the most part) the video with my eyes closed. Then, I did become curious about the puppy, so watched it again.
July 14, 2009 at 1:24 pm |
I trusted you, and my hands were about 1cm apart vertically when I opened my eyes, in the direction you’d expect for the balloon going up and the books down.
The puppies comment made me watch it again, eyes open. I’m now forwarding the link to some others to see how they go.
July 14, 2009 at 2:30 pm |
I did not close my eyes because I am trusting. I did it because if we do not obey Richard Wiseman he may get angry and stop writing interesting things or putting puzzles on the internet. Much safer to just do what he says.
July 14, 2009 at 3:48 pm |
I loved it. First time around I was distracted and saw you holding the cards so I sort of cheated but it was great. I am a science teacher do you mind if I use this in my classroom?
July 14, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Hi. Fine to use any of the quirkology videos in teaching!
July 14, 2009 at 4:30 pm |
I think that people who end up with their arms miles apart have no imaginations whatsoever, but are very good at following orders.
July 14, 2009 at 4:43 pm
People who end up with their arms miles apart are probably very sad at the loss of at least one of their limbs.
July 14, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
That was hilarious, I followed the instructions the other day completely without reading any of the text below the video and my arms stayed at the same height (or at least they were at the same height when I opened my eyes). I did think the puppy comment was strange but I then got distracted by something else I had to do and I didn’t read further down, I’ve only just watched it again with my eyes open and I think it’s very funny! Excellent!
July 14, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
Don’t know whether I got the left and right bit the correct way round (always had trouble with that) but found that the hand with the book got heavy and moved down whereas the hand with the balloon stayed completely still. What does this mean? I like books but am not fussed about helium balloons?
Watched a second time with eyes open this time as I did wonder what might be going on whilst my eyes were shut – very amusing!
July 14, 2009 at 5:04 pm |
My right hand was slightly raised compared to my left hand, not a lot, only about an inch or so. Since Im a programmer and contrary to popular thought there is a lot of creativity in programming, it made sense. I had no clue what you were talking about with a puppy, “Why would I see a puppy?”, “What did Richard say that would even bring a puppy to mind?” Then I read on and decided huh.. maybe I should watch again.. and that was fun
July 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm |
my hands were like 10 inches apart, but I listened carefully and didn’t have to rewind to hear about the puppy which wasn’t even in the story
July 15, 2009 at 12:02 am |
I didn’t think that this was interesting at first. Since I don’t see analytical and imaginitive as mutually exclusive qualities, it seemed like a pointless exercise . . . and that lame joke about the puppy. Then I read the comments and watched again with my eyes open. I guess I’m the lame one.
July 15, 2009 at 3:51 am |
I moved my arms as instructed, but then got stumped when Richard said “remember your arms are being pushed not pulled.” I thought 1. the left arm would definitely be pushed down by the books; and 2. the Helium balloon would definitely be pulling my right arm up, not pushing it. Out of confusion I put both my arms level again.
And dog? what dog? I thought he was just being funny? Maybe I should watch it again. ^__^
July 15, 2009 at 3:54 am |
Ok… after watching it a second time, and reading the text on the bottom. It proves 2 things: 1. I have a hearing problem and 2. I tend to jump to the end (ie, I watched it without reading the commentary) =P
July 15, 2009 at 7:12 am |
I, too, found it interesting that my arms did exactly the opposite of what was expected – that is, my left arm ended up higher than my right. However, my left did feel heavier than my right… perhaps my body was compensating for a “perceived weight”?
July 15, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
[...] World’s Quickest Personality Test 07.15.09 | links | View commentsComments via richardwiseman.wordpress.com [...]
July 15, 2009 at 4:28 pm |
If you’re interested in a real psychology-based personality test, check out our Personality Patterns app; it provides very detailed feedback in a visually, interactive format, along w/some cool social features. You can also find it on Facebook. On the go? Try it on your iPhone.
July 15, 2009 at 4:55 pm |
Ok I closed my eyes and didn’t watch the video again. In fact I only just realised the whole visual section to it now.
Funny because normally I wouldn’t follow the instructions so vehmently but because it came from you I trusted the content more and so was happy to play along.
Damn you Wiseman!!!
July 15, 2009 at 5:34 pm |
Have done this exercise before in a meditation lasting about twenty minutes in which I talked to myself using similar words. Then my hands did move apart quite considerably. I therefore expected to see a slight difference in the level of my hands – but nothing doing. Followed instructions as requested so didn’t realise about the puppy until I read the end of the clip. So I tend to follow instructions when I have an interest in something and have no reason not to.
Looking forward to seeing you at Skeptics in the Pub in Leicester next week
July 16, 2009 at 1:05 am |
That’s such a cool video, though I didn’t get the puppy thing. Until I read the comment above and re-watched the video. LOL!
July 16, 2009 at 3:47 am |
In my case the test was acurate! My hands were still leveled when i opened my eyes. Much better than astrology and it makes sense. Normaly i tend to be suspicious but not in this case because i trust Prof. Wiseman so i kept my eyes closed. I re-watched the video after reading the comments.
July 16, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
Hmm, well I felt my hands were level throughout, and I expected to get a surprise of having them at different levels when my eyes opened. They weren’t; I probably expected the outcome too much oh well.
July 22, 2009 at 10:15 am |
You can never be too suspicious when it’s a Richard Wiseman personality test video.
July 22, 2009 at 8:16 pm |
Wonderful…is a simple and old Hypnosis test
July 22, 2009 at 11:45 pm |
I guess if your hands go the wrong way, you’re just f**ked in the head. It kind of figures.
July 23, 2009 at 8:08 pm |
My hands did the opposite of what was expected. So I guess I was being VERY imaginative, and tried consciously to counteract any suggestions.
July 26, 2009 at 8:51 pm |
I giggled through most of that because if the boards you held up (Awww Andwex Puppy), so did not do the hand balancing, visualising thingymibob. And yes, I would not trust you as far as I could throw you (Wink). Do another one – Tis fun.
July 28, 2009 at 12:03 am |
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