[-jimi-]

Who can relate? If you can, what are you diagnosed with and why do you think you see this?

Example, I cannot look at a static TV screen without starting to see shapes. I cannot look at natural stone tiles (those with different natural color and patterns) without seeing shapes. You know how people look at clouds and think they look like something.

The more hyper my mind is, the more I see it.

One of my floors is populated with dogs, horses and weird monsters. I cannot unsee them.

My RL friend is the same just not to that absurd degree, or she is not bothered by it.

[freaka]

I am the same way. I see geometrical patterns in repetitive designs, in foliage and swirly linoleum floors there are demons and contorted faces that are like old friends.

You are right, they cannot be unseen.

[IrisBloom]

I see patterns, designs, faces, animals. I don't know it's related to my depression, but definitely part of my mental make-up. At a place I once worked there was a very cool horse in the woodgrain of the bathroom door. lol

[-jimi-]

My friend the boxer dog. He is right in the middle, just the head, yellow, two eyes and chubby nose. Ha ha.

[IrisBloom]

I see it!

[freaka]

I see it too!

[-jimi-]

....LOL!

[-jimi-]

Hm, thanx for the move to social chat. I'm curious about this not just as a funny thing but as something with a neurological basis too. It's a very real thing to me and I think it is tied to my personality somehow.

[Nammu]

It's called pareidolia.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by sidestepper

It's called pareidolia.

Thanks sidestepper. I never knew there was a name for the phenomenon.

[-jimi-]

Thanks too, Sidestepper. Makes it easier to look up.

[-jimi-]

I kind of still wonder why some people see it much more... What it is connected to and so on. Every site I visit sort of explains why and that it is "normal". But I know many people who only has this to a point. Like, why the huge difference between us? Could it be a tool to detect things?

I know the more refined interpretation of the Rorschach test sniffs at this a little, not enough IMO.

And yes I actually took that test in a professional setting. It was a bit absurd.

[IrisBloom]

I didn't think the Rorschach ink blots looked like anything in particular.

I think it's natural for humans to seek patterns and faces. Probably for those who develop the ability especially into adulthood, it's like any other talent. Artistic, musical, etc.
I also have synesthesia. I think they are probably related, and all related to creativity.

[-jimi-]

My friend who sees things like I do is an artist. I write. So maybe yes there is a connection.

I guess it is also about what we see. I only saw one human in all the Rorschach pictures. I was told that was highly abnormal. But I think I am more animal than human on many levels.

[IrisBloom]

Do you remember those pictures that were popular a few years ago, they were made up of different colored dots and when you focused just right at the right distance you were supposed to see a picture? I never, ever saw what others saw. All I saw were a bunch of colored dots. lol

[Thunder Bow]

Can you see an Indian on Horseback on the base of Spirit Mountain? Look to the right of center.

[IrisBloom]

I see it! Very cool!

[fishin fool]

I tend to see patterns in everything. Always did.

[Angelwngs25]

Yes, I see things sometimes.

[growlycat]

When I was a kid I had a bad spell of insomnia. I had a globe shaped light that gave me "spots in front of my eyes" if I looked at it too long. Those spots started to look like a parade of marching animals. It scared me to death-I didn't know what was happening to me!

[notz]

Yes, for as long as I can remember. I see things that most people don't. Kinda keep it to myself though.

[-jimi-]

I wonder if it is somehow related to mishearing things. In the beginning of the Internet age I had a computer with all the classic Windows sounds (for a while, until I changed them or muted them), and like many people I spent time online around the clock.

When I went outside and heard a sound, my mind heard that as a Windows sound. I lived in a world of Windows sounds, LOL. It wore off after a bit though...

Also when I was a young adult I was more into music than I am now, I was always listening to something. But summers I spent in a home without electric, so music was really scarce. My mind soooo wanted music. After a good while music less I started hearing my favorite tunes in the wind and trees... Weird stuff...

I see this stuff as a special kind of intelligence.

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Also when I was a young adult I was more into music than I am now, I was always listening to something. But summers I spent in a home without electric, so music was really scarce. My mind soooo wanted music. After a good while music less I started hearing my favorite tunes in the wind and trees... Weird stuff...

When my inner dialogue begins to get hateful toward myself or during any strong negative emotion my mind starts playing comforting songs I like before I'm conscious of it.... some kind of deep self preservation.

"The more hyper my mind is, the more I see it." Maybe when your mind is hyper it somehow activates the creative part of your mind.

Certain things will remind me of totally different things but I can't relate to seeing patterns - I wish I could. I've read the ability to see patterns is why the human race has evolved to be so advanced.

I find stuff like this fascinating. I posted a news episode I seen recently that it reminds me of.

Colorado Rancher Become Accidental Genius After Brain Injury Video - ABC News