The Illusion Only Some Can See
Ames window illusion illustrates how we don't directly perceive external reality. Special Holiday deal! Go to NordVPN.com/veritasium and use code VERITASIUM to get 68% off a 2 year plan plus 4 additional months free. It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!
Special thanks to:
Prof. Phil Kellman from UCLA Psychology kellmanlab.psych.ucla.edu
Museum of Illusions in Los Angeles for the use of their Ames Room laillusions.com
Curiosity Show - Video on Ames Illusion: nlcameras.info/wiki/faG7f4GBp5G9sWU/video
References:
Ames, A., Jr. (1951). Visual perception and the rotating trapezoidal window. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 65(7), i-32. doi.org/10.1037/h0093600
Marcel de Heer & Thomas V. Papathomas (2017) The Ames Window Illusion and Its Variations
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199794607.003.0014
Oross, Stephen, Francis, Ellie, Mauk, Deborah & Fox, Robert. (1987). The Ames Window Illusion: Perception of Illusory Motion by Human Infants. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 13(4), 609-613.
Behrens, R. (1987). The Life and Unusual Ideas of Adelbert Ames, Jr. Leonardo, 20(3), 273-279. doi:10.2307/1578173
Burnham, C., & Ono, H. (1969). Variables Altering Perception of the Rotating Trapezoidal Illusion. The American Journal of Psychology, 82(1), 86-95. doi:10.2307/1420609
Allport, G. W., & Pettigrew, T. F. (1957). Cultural influence on the perception of movement: The trapezoidal illusion among Zulus. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 55(1), 104-113. doi.org/10.1037/h0049372
Zenhausern R. Effect of Perspective on Two Trapezoid Illusions. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1969;28(3):1003-1009. doi:10.2466/pms.1969.28.3.1003
Gehringer, W. L., & Engel, E. (1986). Effect of ecological viewing conditions on the Ames' distorted room illusion. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 12(2), 181-185. doi.org/10.1037/0096-1523.12.2.181
Long, G.M., Toppino, T.C. Adaptation effects and reversible figures: A comment on Horlitz and O’Leary. Perception & Psychophysics 56, 605-610 (1994). doi.org/10.3758/BF03206956
Gregory RL. Looking through the Ames window. Perception. 2009;38(12):1739-40. doi: 10.1068/p3812ed. PMID: 20192124.
Jahoda, G. (1966). Geometric illusions and environment: A study in Ghana. British Journal of Psychology, 57(1-2), 193-199. doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1966.tb01019.x
V. Mary Stewart (1974) A Cross-Cultural Test of the “Carpentered World” Hypothesis Using The Ames Distorted Room Illusion, International Journal of Psychology, 9:2, 79-89, DOI: 10.1080/00207597408247094
Margaret Kathleen Cappone (1966) The Effect of Verbal Suggestion on the Reversal Rate of the Ames Trapezoid Illusion, The Journal of Psychology, 62:2, 211-219, DOI: 10.1080/00223980.1966.10543786
Researched and written by Petr Lebedev and Derek Muller
Filmed by Derek Muller and Raquel Nuno
Animations, VFX, and Music by Jonny Hyman
Ames Room VFX and additional Ames Window animation by Nicolas Pratt
Additional Music from epidemicsound.com "Life in Color" "Singularity"
Large Ames window construction by GW Construction
Video supplied by Getty Images
Gian Van den broek
Uur geleden
With the ruler i can almost break the illusion
LiorGames363
Uur geleden
If i try hard i can see it rotating
Combee Bowlin
Uur geleden
I'm able to see it both ways but my brain prefers the illusion. Very neat!
isa butchers
Uur geleden
The horses name was Friday
dejablueguitar
2 uur geleden
Rectal-Linear... a bit of an oxymoron biologically!! LOL!!!
feyaia vanpri
2 uur geleden
Humm... I'm thinking of ISS and how inside, that's almost all exactly the geometry you discussed in the video. Could this be why it's square and not a tube as is the outside of ISS? I guess we will have to take all this into account as more above earth habitats are built. Something like this video just might be a way to get an idea of how a person that is interviewing for a job in microgravity may or may not be more susceptible to motion sickness.
feyaia vanpri
3 uur geleden
Good demonstration later in the video of how some very talented street artists make such great illusions.
feyaia vanpri
3 uur geleden
Ok Wise Guy, I was waiting for you to demonstrate how creatures with spider eyes or fly eyes would see this. Ha!
QBOX 83
3 uur geleden
Interesting
N. Henry
3 uur geleden
I laughed so much. Well done, and thank you.
I will defeat Justin Y
3 uur geleden
My brain cells: *Gone, reduced to atoms*
Destiny McKinley
3 uur geleden
The ruler actually helps me see the paper moving around in a circle. It makes it easier to force my eyes and mind to focus on what is actually happening, though not much easier.
Markovicsable
5 uur geleden
I just could'nt see the rotaton until you changed the background from black.
Denise Anderson
5 uur geleden
So much for "Seeing is believing".
Finnley Jack Aja
6 uur geleden
when you watch this for an hour I ACTUALLY SAW IT
3l H4ck3r C0mf0r7
7 uur geleden
11:13 Time to play Megalovania on that.
Satan
7 uur geleden
I was able to see it rotating at about 6:46 and since then i've been able to see through it weirdly enough, I live in a city with many 90 degree angles so maybe since it's circular it made me see it more clearly? I don't know for sure yet but it's cool!
feyaia vanpri
3 uur geleden
Hummmm any balloonist out there that watched this?
jaybajan
8 uur geleden
FYI anyone watching this video should do so while high, its even more mind blowing
Stoner Penguin
8 uur geleden
My brain must be brocken cause I see it spinning
tomfoolery333
9 uur geleden
Anyone familiar with Buddha's wisdom teachings understands the implications of this. The emptiness teachings. Nothing is inherently existent. Emptiness. Dependent co-arising.
miningdust mcgameplay
9 uur geleden
Diavolo and Subaru : Are you sure about that?
Je Suis Ce Que Je Suis
9 uur geleden
Trippy
Miquel Biggs
9 uur geleden
This video explains how we all have conflicting views right now even tho we all have access to the same info
Chilly Jack
10 uur geleden
Totally looked like it was oscillating, but then about 2/3rds of the way through I started seeing them all as rotating once I paid really close attention for the first time. Weird
jarno kissels
10 uur geleden
When you actually can see trough the illusion
Adam Whitaker
10 uur geleden
Visual gaslighting!
Jesse Gillispie
11 uur geleden
I see the non-illusion.....
Bart Simpson
11 uur geleden
If you blink really fast while watching the window it almost is setting completely still and not moving at all.
K
11 uur geleden
Idk why, but the first time the illusion cycled around with ruler, I was able to see it going around. But after one cycle, it goes back to going back and forth. Then every illusion becomes clear and I can see it moving circularly.
a name
12 uur geleden
well id say that the solution might be that our brains focus on edges all the time bcs they are much easier to translate. but we can also focus on movement and can predict what an object might do. i tried myself and managed to see the it turning. maybe it does not depend on what edges im used to, it depends on how im used to concentrate on my focus sight.
Henzo1002
15 uur geleden
HOLY SHI- help...
Slow Hand
16 uur geleden
So amazing!!!
KatsudonChan Xd
17 uur geleden
what is this
Rowgue51
18 uur geleden
The key to the illusion is actually the camera framing, which is the key to almost all of these "optical illusions". They're more camera tricks than real optical illusions. When you went to a wide shot where it wasn't taking up the entire screen against a pure black background it didn't look like anything other than what it was.
feyaia vanpri
3 uur geleden
Exactly. Only works with a Head-On view. Still, that Room was amazing.!!
Earth Worth
18 uur geleden
Brilliant vid 🤩 thank you 🙏
Sho Tor
19 uur geleden
The fretful design spontaneously sound because hexagon simplistically scold below a possessive chick. hushed, adhesive weapon
Keith Mcmullen
19 uur geleden
Okay, l know lve no buisness in this chat area, w some very impressive minds. I've something to put out there, in hopes of someone or one's, putting it back. When He said there were infinite ways to get the same perçeption ? Was it ? I know l didn't describe it all that well, but if l had little better of an understanding, different perspective, or whatever.
TymexComputing
19 uur geleden
It is just perception perspective illusion not rectangular illusion :). The bigger lion is a lion that is closer to you :)
Jonny Stolpe
19 uur geleden
This is so awesome to watch, gonna save this to watch over and over. Mind blown 🔥🔥 Thanks for the upload.
Nighthawk
22 uur geleden
I work 3D. knowing if something is the right side up, flat, round, square or near, is my job. people who can't tell a plane from a volume should have their drivers licenses revoked.
Elliot Walton
22 uur geleden
I had to concentrate very hard, but I was able to follow the short end through its rotation. I'll never tire of optical illusions.
Ben Pam
22 uur geleden
I focused on the shadow and the point where the ruler and the illusion. I can see it.
Kevin Li
22 uur geleden
If I focus on 1 side I can see it spinning
Siraj Salyani
22 uur geleden
I forced my brain to see it rotating and now I always see it as both rotating and oscillating. Every time I look at it I get a headache.
black boi
22 uur geleden
OH HELL YEAH I CAN'T SEE THE ILLUSION
Vo Hoai Bac
22 uur geleden
The calculating swan expectantly haunt because sentence morphometrically lighten till a unwritten feather. legal, crazy christopher
Red Martyr
23 uur geleden
if i focus on a small part i can see it how it is, but if i just look without concentrating it looks odd like its defying physic lol
Patty Katzer
23 uur geleden
What a fun and educational presentation! Very nice!
tomtomdu
23 uur geleden
Acoording time space dilation light would take different time
Khloe Clicks
Dag geleden
The talented plane annually fax because curler accidentally sparkle following a cuddly angora. lopsided, succinct ikebana
Vivliforia
Dag geleden
The baby is an illusion. 😆
luuk v
Dag geleden
Being lightly autistic has it's advantages I suppose ;)
Umatsu Obossa
Dag geleden
I can see the normal illusion spinning only with effort. With you inside it, I can only see it oscillating with effort.
Aiden Oo
Dag geleden
i get how it works
Brian Santero
Dag geleden
My brain feels attacked. Stop, sir, for you are confu-u-u-s.. ...*error...does not compute* ... ... .. *click*
saywhatnow comon
Dag geleden
Is it weird that I can see both I see it rotate and oscillate
Steve Thompson
Dag geleden
If you look at a bottom corner only, and avoid the whole picture you can see it is rotating. If you take it all in the perspective change of shadowing fools the mind.
Aryan likes to animate
Dag geleden
You have destroyed my 1 brain cell
American Pancake
Dag geleden
Holy f*ck- that is crazy but very cool.
Linus P.
Dag geleden
I have a headache now!
FL1PDAN
Dag geleden
I could easily see the De Heer circle rotating, but not Ames window. I think perception.exe is buggy
owoJurr
Dag geleden
i can only see on 1 eye -.-
Xavier Yard
Dag geleden
The terrible sock synchronously help because bath additionaly bathe out a draconian canvas. abortive, plausible argentina
WHYNOTONY
Dag geleden
11:45 Why do I see both at the same time ?
Fire_Ice516
Dag geleden
For the window illusion I see it spinning win I want to see it as it spinning and see it going back and forth when I try to see it back and forth
Swanitharsh Kammari
Dag geleden
Who read this Channel name as VERITASERUM at first
John Osborn
Dag geleden
What does it mean if about the 3rd time I saw the objects spin after you told me what was going on, I saw all of them spinning, not rotating?🤔 crazy! Great video!👏👏
RelaxWithMe
Dag geleden
TAKE MY VIEWS TAKE MY MONEY
Edel Grün
Dag geleden
Ahhhh my eyeS
Jade Zee
Dag geleden
i dont see any illusion at all
Ned M
Dag geleden
Spent nearly 2 hours watching a 17 minute video.
Kritika Singh
Dag geleden
I now know what I'll be doing for science project this year in my school😅
Lemonium
Dag geleden
I've been looking at it and somehow I can see the actual rotation poggers
David Cevallos
Dag geleden
Another amazing video XD thanks for the content :3. Greetings from Ecuador!
erock steady
Dag geleden
damn these eyes..! can't unsee THAT. happy new year!
TigerPlayz
Dag geleden
Life and us are so mysterious in was that no one could have possibly imagened
TigerPlayz
Dag geleden
Yo that is awsome
chul chess
Dag geleden
pdf please?
justandy333
Dag geleden
11:40 is really interesting. This was one were I was able to see it rotating. However it took quite a bit of concentration. Its almost as if my brain was set to a default setting of seeing it oscillating and I really had to put in some effort to override it. Loose concentration and I'd see it oscillating again. Very strange.
Spielername
Dag geleden
Damn you human! You tricked my brain! 🙈
Tim Rose
Dag geleden
as soon as i muted the video i could see that it was just rotating. a lot of it is that he's telling you its rotating, and as your mind attempts to believe that it is truly spinning, even though your eyes are telling you another fact.
Robert Spears III
Dag geleden
Imagine other things in life that "modern life" keeps us from seeing. We may be more educated but that doesn't always mean we see things the way they truly are.
Kate Altman
Dag geleden
IDK. Once you put the ruler in it, I just saw it rotate, not oscillate.
NUGGET POOPY
Dag geleden
I knew veritasium sounded familiar and I just remembered its the potion for truthtelling in harry potter.
TANG ZHE HAO Moe
Dag geleden
the ruller was speening too
cyberpunk808
Dag geleden
Thank you for the video and the message...
Ethan Irwin
Dag geleden
The squeamish check biologically guide because hell customarily appear barring a historical crocodile. panoramic, plucky dollar
BoxMeister
Dag geleden
What he says at 15:08 is almost one of the most basic parts of learning physics.
Photo Trekr
Dag geleden
Ok, that's weird.
TDATA
Dag geleden
Didn't they use the Ames technique for TLOTR movies and The Hobbit? Edit, why did the Ames window look curved? I thought the curving had something to do with the trick but everything you've shown me is flat. Does anyone else see a curvature to the window when it was the small scale one on the table?
Mateus Theo
Dag geleden
just the mask was obvious to me the deepness, but the ilusion of retangles was lit
restoftoasty
Dag geleden
i have found that focusing on one point defeats the illusion. it ignores the rest of it and then it's just a point moving around
PiethagorasTearem
Dag geleden
After looking at it for awhile, I can see the window rotating.
Astral_ Skies
Dag geleden
11:50 My brain: **Suddenly gets it** OHHHHHHH! I SEE! It’s rotating! 5 seconds later My brain: It’s oscillating. Is it? Yeah- NO WAIT! *ROTATING!* Hm. *OH ITS OSCILLATING-! WAIT NO ITS RO- No, oscillating... W H A T.* **confused internal screaming** (On one side, it looks like it’s rotating, but on the other side, my brain gets extremely confused and is like ‘oScILlaTInG???’)
aqdrobert
Dag geleden
If you see these illusions, rejoice! You have perfect 20 vision.
Wisdom Jamin
Dag geleden
If u can't see through the illusion, it means your brain is fully optimized, filtering out useless information u don't need. You should be proud of your brain
smp
Dag geleden
I wonder what would happen if they found you with this in Salem, MA in 1692. sorry the dabs make me wonder ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Declan Lawford
Dag geleden
The dapper sandra disconcertingly collect because question postoperatively stay after a chemical song. lethal, nippy bugle
Angry_Flan
2 dagen geleden
this gets spiritual quickly. is an ullusion a lie? no because truth and lies are below insight and illusion. if a aperson tells you some truths you decorate an illusion not a lie. chakras are the answer here. when you DRAW a conclusion it may be an illusion. always trust instinct. its even above sacred knowledge about some theories, trust your instinct
Angry_Flan
2 dagen geleden
also im not without the 4th wall breaking chemical dog here