The Daily Croissant

Eclectic Perambulations in the Noosphere

  • Change in contrast fools your brain...

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Contests illusions
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    "When we scan the world around us, our brain tends to group objects based on common attributes. Now a new illusion that won second prize in this year's Best Illusion of the Year Contest, created by Arthur Shapiro from the American University in Washington DC and his team, shows that these groupings can be made based on changes of contrast (see video above).  

    In the first scenario, the dots at the top flash in sync, followed by the bottom ones. But when the same arrangement is placed on a split background, the diagonally-aligned discs seem to change together. In a second example, a flashing pattern on a plain background appears dramatically different when the background is replaced with the image of a shaded circle. Substituting a black and white picture split diagonally for the background, the flashing pattern in the third animation looks altered.

    According to Gestalt psychology, our brain makes sense of what we see by classifying visual information based on factors like proximity, common background and similarity. But this illusion shows that we are also tuned to changes in contrast, which can override the other types of groupings. This method of classification uses spatial information rather than more apparent cues in the figure and background."

    via newscientist.com

     

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  • Patterns of Nature : Bacteria,

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Patterns nature
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    Bacteria involved in photosynthesis in a thermal pool in New Zealand. 
    via wahfunny.com

     

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  • The Art of Bonsai Project - Buttonwood

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Bonsai Contests
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    Buttonwood by Robert Kempinski
    via artofbonsai.org

     

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  • Dead Plant Moving ! Plant Origami Shows How...

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Movement Origami Plants
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    Seed capsule from the ice plant Delosperma nakurense in the hydrated, unfolded state. (M. J. Harrington)
    "By determining how a desert plant’s seed pods unfurl when they get wet, biologists discovered new principles for designing materials that respond to their environments. Eventually, the insights may help engineers improve satellites or develop artificial muscles."  
    via wired.com

    Delosperma_nakurense

     

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  • Wall Climbing Dog from Russia...!...!

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Dogs Film Shorts Stunts
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    via englishrussia.com

     

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  • A Closer Look at Europa

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Astronomy Jupiter Moons
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    "This closer look at the ice surface of Europa shows a white area that is covered by a fine dust of ice particles while the brown area "has been painted by mineral contaminants carried and spread by water vapor released from below the crust when it was disrupted," according to NASA."  
    via smartplanet.com

     

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  • 62 Heading For 80

    • 9 Jun 2011
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    • 08June11 Life Old Age Philosophy Pleasures
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    One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them all in all, a pleasant bunch.

    When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

    I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

     We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine. I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.
     
    The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.
     I smiled. He asked if he amused me.
     
    I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
    How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?

    He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is possible.

    I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. 
    But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good."
     
    This year I realized how old I was.
    (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."  
    "So, before I die,
    I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.

     I haven't smelled all the flowers yet.
    There are too many trout streams I haven't fished.
    There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.
    There are too many golf courses I haven't played.

    I've not laughed at all the jokes.
    I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

    I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.
    I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. 
     
     I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast.
    I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

     I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.
    I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.
     
    So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall,
    I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing.

    I filled my heart's desire.
    I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.."

    With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, "
    I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

    This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day!
    If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.

    Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!
    via v-ixtt.com
    Sent by Margie...Thanks !

     

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