Ever get stuck waiting somewhere in public and find yourself

[Jamastiene]

counting things? I was just wondering if I am the only one who does this. I have counted bricks, magazines, square tiles, linoleum repetitions in pattern, wallpaper pattern repetitions, and most importantly how many people go in and out the doors. I also count the doors first when I enter the building. I do that in any building I enter really.

Do any of you do this too?

[billyskank]

1. I sometimes try to do the 'magic eye' thing

whenever I see a repeating pattern, for example on a wallpaper.

It's particularly cool if you do it on the floor, when the carpet has a repeating pattern. It seems as if you are standing in the air. :hi:

[Jamastiene]

2. How do you do that?

I want to try it. I also try to estimate the length of walls and baseboards, especially if I think a better looking moulding would suit it better.

:hi:

[billyskank]

3. Okay, look at this repeating pattern

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Now attempt to focus 'though' the screen, at some point behind it. What you want is for your left eye to look at one instance of the repeating image, and the right eye to look at the adjacent instance. Because they all look the same, your brain thinks your eyes are looking at the same instance, and so what happens is you get a false impression of depth (the brain extrapolates a line to where your eyes converge and assumes that is where the image is).

Also, when this happens, your eyes snap back into focus so that you don't see a blurred image. This proves that the focussing function of your eyeballs is independent of your depth perception.

The momentary feeling when the illusion manifests itself is better than drugs, in my opinion. :D

It is possible to focus further still, and get each eyes to be looking at instances 2 or even 3 apart. Each time the illusion appears to be deeper into the monitor screen.

This is the basis of all those magic eye pictures that were so popular in the mid-90s.

[billyskank]

4. It also works if you try to focus at a point in front of the screen

although this is much harder to get. If you manage it, it is a very strange illusion.

If you have trouble getting the illusion (either way), try tilting your head. Your eyes need to be exactly level with the pattern.

[Jamastiene]

5. Should the 200 hugs look like they are 3-D?

That's what I saw. I mean, I counted them to get that little obsession off my mind first, so I could concentrate. They looked like they were coming off the screen, like 3-D. Is that it?

[billyskank]

6. Yes, that sounds about right

The 'magic eye' pictures worked by varying the distance between the pattern repeats, thus creating the illusion of varying depth.