Radial Expansion Aftereffect
Stare at the red dot for 30 seconds, then look around the room to see reality warp.
🧐 What do you see?▼
Concentrate on the small red dot in the center. The white rings will appear to flow continuously outward (or inward if direction is swapped). After 30-60 seconds, look at any static object, like a wall or your keyboard.The object will appear to move in the opposite direction!
🧠 Why this works▼
This is the Waterfall Illusion applied to radial coordinates. Movement is processed by dedicated neurons in the V5 area of the brain. By staring at "outward" motion, you fatigue those specific outward-sensitive neurons.
When you look at something still, the baseline firing rate of the "inward" neurons is now higher than the tired "outward" ones. The brain interprets this unbalanced signal as actual movement in the inward direction.
🧪 Try variations▼
- Reverse Direction: Stare for 30s while it moves *inward*. When you look away, the world will "bloom" or expand.
- Variable Intensity: Thicker rings create a stronger retinal footprint, leading to a faster fatigue response.
❓ FAQ▼
How long does it last?
Usually about 5-15 seconds. The neurons recover very quickly once the stimulus is removed.