spinning silhouette

This illusion elucidates a very important principle concerning subjective reality, and helps to illustrate a point about the vastly differing views people can hold about events such as 9/11. Some people who look at the spinning figure will first affirm that she is bouncing on her left leg while twirling in a clockwise direction. Others may avow that she is instead bouncing on her right leg and spinning in a counterclockwise direction. Indeed, you can have many people looking at this animated graphic at the same time and not agree as to what is happening. This idea is not really foreign to many people who have made the journey from one belief about 9/11 to its diametrical opposite.

First - we must try and deconstruct the illusion and find out what is going on. When you look at a silhouette of a figure it is not possible to determine if it is facing you, or facing away from you. There is no depth to the figure, it's just an outline - our Left/Right designation of what we visually perceive will set the stage for our belief of what follows. If the human cut-out is interpreted to be facing you then you will assume it is her left foot touching the ground, and vice versa if not. The information is not sufficient when viewing a black and white silhouette, our brain makes an assumption at first glance and then proceeds toward a logical eventuality based upon that assumption.

When you first look at the optical illusion you are subjected to your own implied interpretation. It's interesting to analyze our mindset while going through the entire process of discovery in figuring out this type of problem. I looked at it initially and told myself to concentrate on which leg she is bouncing on - I was sure it was the left, how could anyone doubt it - you can see it, can't you? You would have to be an idiot to think otherwise - anybody who does not see it must be a lunatic. But then something happens, there is a period of thought and analysis, and then a question of our belief. As we catch ourselves seeing the right leg touching and the figure rotating in the opposite direction, there arises doubt concerning our convictions. We come to the ultimate realization that we can be fooled, and it is embarrassing to admit that those assertions we would stake our lives upon, and the derision we feel toward those who do not agree with us, are after all only based upon an illusion.

"When you change the way you look at things - the things you look at change" - Wayne Dyer

It's just a trick - now I can look at the spinning figure and see it going either way - usually by focusing my attention below the dancer upon the movement of the shadow - yes, it's her left leg touching the ground while going clockwise, and yes it is also her right leg touching and she's going in the opposite direction. This understanding of the illusion cannot be achieved until we take the time to study it, as well as our part in viewing it. The key is an awareness of ourselves as witness to illusion that passes for reality, followed by a willingness to discover the nature of the phenomenon. One must in a sense step outside of oneself and watch the watcher. Now I'm ashamed that I could be so sure it was her left leg touching and everyone who disagreed must be stupid, moronic, unpatriotic, knees painted purple, whatever. If we do not take the time to study and understand the trick we will forever be stuck inside this reactive mindset that is subject to misdirection or assumption. Any guesses where I'm going with this?