Amazing new twist on old illusion….

I have never seen this done as a video before….

I think it works really well.  What do you think?  Did you spot it before the spin?

What do you see when you look at this?

Hi there.  First, if you have a background in psychology and are looking for a position as a research assistant, you might be interested in this project looking at the psychology of precognitive experiences (I will be involved in some of the work).

OK, so…..what do you see when you look at this?

The image was kindly sent to me by Patrick L….. what did you see and what does that say about you?

Can you solve the mystery of the skull?

I have a new book out next year and thought that it would be fun to create a video to help promote it.  The idea for it has been in my head for about 3 months and it took about a day to get right.  So, here we go….

The new book is available to pre-order here.

Also, the Mail on Sunday asked me to come up with my top ten illusions.  You can see the article here.

What did you think of the video?  Like it?  Hate it?

Answer to the Friday Puzzle…..

On Friday I set this puzzle…

Here is a schematic plan of an orchard, with the green circles representing trees.  The orchard belongs to four brothers and they want to split it between them.  Can you divide the orchard into four parts, such that each part is the same size and same shape, and has the same number of trees?

If you have not tried to solve it, have a go now.  For everyone else, the answer is after the break.

It’s the Friday Puzzle!

First, my thanks to everyone who completed the survey yesterday.  Much appreciated.  OK, here is the puzzle….

Here is a schematic plan of an orchard, with the green circles representing trees.  The orchard belongs to four brothers and they want to split it between them.  Can you divide the orchard into four parts, such that each part is the same size and same shape, and has the same number of trees?

As ever, please do NOT post your answers, but feel free to say if you have solved it and how long it took.  Answer on Monday!

The wonderful Martin Gardner….

Great response yesterday! I think my favourite caption was from Lakritze….”That’s it. I’m going to my mother and take the kids with me!”

So, a few things today. First, I am running a quick survey on happiness training. Participating only takes a few moments and would be much appreciated. The link is here.

Also, here is a lovely video of ten illusions in 2 minutes that I came across recently….enjoy…

The very first illusion in the video was originally created as a tribute to skeptic and puzzle expert Martin Gardner. Gardner died recently, but on the 21st October there will be tributes to the great man all around the world. You can check out the nearest one to you at this great site. For those of you in or near Edinburgh, I will be doing a little tribute just prior to the Skeptics in the Pub meeting.

Which is your favourite illusion in the video?

Caption competition!

Continuing this week’s animal theme, @rebeccawatson kindly sent me this photograph…..

So, 10 points for the best caption.  Feel free to submit them and comment on the entries!

I give you…. an amazing diving horse…..

I was snooping around yesterday and came across this amazing footage of a diving horse….

The woman in the film is Sonora Carver. In 1931, she was blinded when she hit the water off-balance with her eyes open. However, after the accident she continued with the act until 1942.

What do you think? Amazing? Inspirational? Cruel?

UPDATE: Another great performing animal video just sent to me by @thewildbunny

Did you spot the goat?

It’s the Friday Puzzle….

OK, before the puzzle, here is an amazing video that I was sent on Twitter yesterday (via @raubrey).  I think that it is impossible to watch without feeling either ill, dizzy or elated….

Now onto the puzzle…Can you make 2 squares and 4 triangles from just 8 matches?  You are not allowed to bend or break any of the matches!

As ever please do NOT post your answers, but do say if you have been able to solve it and how long it took.

Lovely new ‘eyes’ illusion from 1832…..

First, today is my birthday.  Thank you.  Second, the other day I came across this great illusion in a book.  Basically, the eyes are identical in both pictures, as shown by the crop (I had to photograph the pages and so there is a slight different in colour).  What’s especially great is that the illusion was published way back in 1832, in David Brewster’s ‘Letters on Natural Magic’.  To my knowledge, this has never appeared on the web before.  Enjoy…..

Like it?  Oh, and did I mention that it was my birthday?

Just received this lovely birthday illusion from @AstarothGabriel – can you spot all of the letters that make up Happy Birthday…

Finally, to celebrate British taxpayers funding the Pope’s visit to the UK today (so NWS)…..

It’s my birthday.

What do you make of this?

This is a great clip from a now classic psychology experiment.  Take a minute or so to watch it and describe what you think is going on in the comments section….

The Pilgrimage

Joshua Jay has just written a thought provoking piece in Magic Magazine. He notes that art critic Michael Kimmelman has suggested that everyone should go on a pilgrimage to see an important piece of art.

I think it’s an interesting idea, and so thought it would be good for everyone to answer this question – where would you go on your pilgrimage?  It might be somewhere connected with your religion (or lack of it); your love of theatre, film or art; your hobby; somewhere that you have always wanted to visit or someone that you have always wanted to meet; or perhaps something to do with your family history or personal life.

Either way, let’s share ideas for destinations and see where we all end up!

It’s the Friday Puzzle!

Before we get to the puzzle, I have a bit of an odd request.  Do you have a yellow labrador dog?  Do they appear to be especially intelligent, lazy, friendly or neurotic?  If so, could you email me on r.wiseman AT herts.ac.uk.  Many thanks.

OK, to the puzzle.  According to my strange rule, 4 is half of 9, 6 is half of 11, and 7 is half of 12.  Can you work out the rule, and so say what half of 13 is?

As ever, please do NOT post your answer, but do say if you think you have solved it and how long it took.  I will post the solution on Monday.

Two lovely videos….

The first sent to me by David B….

and the other by KW-D

Which do you prefer and why?

How green are you?

Time for a quick experiment. It would be great if everyone could answer the following.

Think about how environmentally friendly your lifestyle is, and then compare it to what you perceive to be the lifestyle of the average person in your country.

Do you think you are more environmentally friendly, about average, or less environmentally friendly?  Register your vote on the poll below…..