Fallacy of perception

[j0da]

Hi folks. Today I stumbled across an example of how my mind is deceiving me and to what extent I may be blind to the simple 3D reality.

I have arrived to my workplace today, around 9 am, expecting to be first or maybe second person at the office, since other folks usually come to work a little bit later. Having taken off the jacket I made myself a coffe and strolled downstairs where my mates work, to talk casually for a while with one guy, whose car I've seen on the parking. I have entered the room, shook hands with him and started to chat, completely convinced that we are alone in the room. I sweeped the place with my eyes upon entering and seen no one apart the guy. Only few minutes later I have discovered, that my other pals were also there, sitting at their desks! Actually one of them said something to me what made me "click" into "seeing mode" :O I would swear I've checked the room and seen empty seats, while in fact my mates were there all the time!

Such accident makes me wonder - what other things I don't see? It certainly adds personal perspective to the story of Indians not seeing Columbus ships. Beware, expectation may be a killer!

 

[Zadius Sky]

Always expect the unexpected. Our perceptions can deceive us. To break our perceptions in order to see what actually are there, it's a toughie.

 

[manitoban]

Interesting observation, Joda. One thing I have noticed concerning perception, is that my 4 year old seems to see a lot more than I do sometimes. I was with him in one of those big huge supermarkets, and as soon as we walked in he said, "Oh look I see a big bear!" I looked all over, couldn't see it anywhere, but sure enough, we get to the far corner of the store, and up near the ceiling was a huge stuffed bear. I've since observed that he often sees things that I just don't seem to notice, until he points it out, - its like he looks all around (perhaps with no expectations of what should be there), and I just look straight ahead and miss a lot.

 

[Russ]

This can happen when playing chess, unless you know exactly what is happening on the board, and what can happen, you can be taken by surprise. I find chess can be good for observational practice and also for planning, you get used to thinking more than one move in advance, and consider your options and what you can do, and always looking for new things to take notice of. The brain is kind of like a muscle, and if you have a bad diet and don't excersise it, it becomes weak. The more you make it do what you want it to do, the more it becomes easier to do those things. Thats how I find it anyway.

 

[Rhansen]

an example of how my mind is deceiving me

The most common occurence of this for me is when I am reading. If I get the least bit distracted (or am reading too fast) I will substitute words in the text. Not good.

 

[Peto]

Another example about lack of perception that often happens to me is when I'm deep in thoughts or simply daydreaming. After I get out of the thoughts, I will often notice that I didn't see anything (or remember anything that I see) for the last 10-15 mins. After reading The Myth of Sanity, I recognize it as a mild example of disassociation.