On one of my writing loops I was directed to this site. Now, the first few times I watched this I have to say that no matter what I did the figure kept twirling clockwise, over and over and over… well, you get the idea. Then I read other’s comments about reading the left brain list of traits and that suddenly, hey presto, the silhouette would twirl anti-clockwise. Well, I read the list and nope, clockwise we remained, until I stared at a point somewhere in between the animation and the words and then, and only then, did my eye see an anti-clockwise twirl. Not that it matters really, but I was getting a bit frustrated with only seeing things one way, especially since I’m an inveterate fence sitter and always like to see things from all perspectives.
Anyway, here’s the animation and the list of left and right brain traits. So what do you see?
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
“big picture” oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
I know I am a left-brained person… this was funny. Thanks!
Comment by Nathalie — 28 October, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
You’re welcome :-). It’s interesting to see what other people see, some see anticlockwise, some clockwise, some a mixture of both. One lady saw the figure only swinging from side to side, which is apparently exactly what the animation is doing except our brain translates it differently.
Makes you begin to understand why witness accounts at the scene of a crime/accident can vary so greatly!
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 28 October, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
I remember this, she is spinning counterclockwise. I can never see the other way. Check out my blog, lessons to make money
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Comment by marketinghelper — 29 October, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Still only clockwise, the complete opposite to the way my logic-oriented brain should see it.
Comment by Bronwyn Jameson — 30 October, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Isn’t it funny how once we see it one way we find it nigh on impossible to change it?
I wonder what deep and meaningful life messages that holds. (or not!)
Now all I need is someone to explain why when I ’say’ something my significant other ‘hears’ something else…
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 30 October, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
It’s amazing… I publish a poll / survey to know what is more common, saw her spinning clockwise or anti-clockwise.
You can see the results and vote here:
Right Brain vs Left Brain Survey / Poll - Mind optical illusion
Comment by GooHackle — 1 November, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Thanks for the survey link GooHackle.
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 1 November, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
I saw this on another group. quite a few saw her spinning both ways. Does that mean reader’s brains hold more imagination?
Comment by Christa — 8 November, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Good question, Christa. Let me know if you figure out the answer. I noticed that while I was working on my manuscript it seemed to be a lot harder to ’see’ her spinning anticlockwise. I sent the ms off to my editor the other night and now I see her spin both ways, although still primarily clockwise and have to work to ’see’ anticlockwise. Great time waster, isn’t it?
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 8 November, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Yup and you know what a fan I am of time wasters. LOL
Comment by Christa — 9 November, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Oh, yes, I’m still addicted to Halloween Hangman I’ll have you know! LOL!
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 10 November, 2007 @ 3:39 am