Horizon Season 2011 Episode 9 Do You See What I See?

In the Horizon season 2011 episode 9, "Do You See What I See?", the show delves into the world of perception and how our brains interpret the things we see in front of us. Using a series of clever experiments, the episode explores how our brains fill in gaps in our vision, how our expectations can affect what we see, and how easily our perceptions can be manipulated.

The episode starts by examining the phenomenon of change blindness, where we are often unaware of small changes in our environment because our brains are too busy processing other information. We see this in action through a series of experiments where participants fail to notice when objects in front of them are swapped or removed without their knowledge. The episode also investigates the concept of visual illusions, where we see things that aren't really there because our brains have misinterpreted the information being received. The Ames room illusion is one example of this, where participants see people growing and shrinking in size as they move around a room that is actually distorted and not what it seems.

Later in the episode, we learn about how our brains fill in gaps in our vision through a process called top-down processing. An example of this is when we see a familiar object and our brains automatically fill in missing details, even if they aren't technically there. We see this in action through an experiment where participants are shown a distorted image of a famous face but still recognize them because their brains are able to fill in the missing information based on their previous knowledge. The episode also shows how our brains can be tricked into seeing things that aren't there through a clever experiment involving a hidden image that only becomes apparent when a specific type of filter is applied.

Towards the end of the episode, the show explores the effect that our expectations can have on what we see. By setting up a fake advertising campaign for a new product, the producers were able to see how participants' expectations affected their perception of the product's effectiveness. Even when the product was revealed to be fake, some participants still reported feeling its supposed benefits because they had convinced themselves beforehand. This idea is further explored through an experiment where participants are led to believe that they are being sent on a trip to experience "synesthesia," a rare condition where different senses can become linked. Through a clever manipulation, the episode shows how participants' expectations can cause them to experience things that aren't necessarily real.

Overall, "Do You See What I See?" is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which our brains interpret and process the information we receive. By using a series of clever experiments and illusions, the episode challenges our perceptions and sheds light on the many ways in which our minds can be tricked. It is a thought-provoking and educational episode that is sure to make you question what you see in front of you.