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The Right Brain vs. The Left Brain
published by blankfist 7 months ago • 13918 views
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Which direction is the ballerina twirling? Counter-clockwise or clockwise?

From "www.news.com.au":

COUNTER-CLOCKWISE = LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

CLOCKWISE = RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
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let's put this on a job interview test, so that we only hire right-brained people. Seriously, we need to measure every inch of your brain so we can place you accurately.


written by marinara  | 7 months ago | CH
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Glad you're not in-charge of hiring for my industry....


written by Lee12345  | 7 months ago | CH
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I can concentrate on her foot and get her to spin the other way.. what's that make me?


written by Enzoblue  | 7 months ago | CH
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No matter how long I concentrate on that, I can never get it to spin counter-clockwise.

I've never been able to see those images in the "magic picture" things, either.


written by rougy  | 7 months ago | CH
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Yes, mine goes back and forth too. It switches back and forth every min or so w/ the kids too. Does that mean we have balanced brains?

We came across one last week that doesn't run out of time..just perpetually spins. It gives one more time to concentrate on changing the turn.


written by swampgirl  | 7 months ago | CH
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Clockwise only for me. I've tried and tried to get her to spin the other direction, but she just will not. My girlfriend and other friends see it both ways, but what's scary is finding someone who only sees it spinning counter-clockwise.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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hmmm, does that make VS members predominately right brainers? What does that say?

Here is the page that has a constant image, try this one guys: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22492511-5005375,00.html


written by swampgirl  | 7 months ago | CH
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I can't even see the potential for her to be spinning counter-clockwise.


written by gorillaman  | 7 months ago | CH
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I had thought I'd see it counter clockwise. I was wrong. Very clockwise, and i cant get it to change either, but part of my mind keeps thinking i can work out how I'm perceiving it to be spinning at all, and thus pre prep my mind for the counter spin and thus see it. Which is why i thought Id be counter, but no...

I like these things.


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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This thing is driving me absolutely insane.


written by gorillaman  | 7 months ago | CH
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Check the link I left, g-man... it doesn't stop and you'll have more time to change it's direction. Try watching her with only your left eye. Weird but I can make mine change at will using the opposite eye.


written by swampgirl  | 7 months ago | CH
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I've tried the left eye/right eye thing, I've tried looking away and looking back, I've tried looking at it sideways and upside down and I've tried focusing on her feet, arms, ponytail, nipples, whatever and WILLING her to turn anti-clockwise.

The most frustrating thing was showing it to someone else who sees it switching all the time. They're like "There! Anti-clockwise! See?" No! I don't see.


written by gorillaman  | 7 months ago | CH
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Same for me Gorillaman. Even using SG's link, i have no luck. Tried covering up all bar the foot, and just making the foot turn anti clockwise. nope. Not evne with just one eye.

Maybe i have 2 right brains.


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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It's frustrating to hear other people in the room give you their 'recipes' for making her spin the opposite direction. If your brain won't perceive it, it just won't. No matter of reasoning and blinking and visual trickery will bring about that elusive counter-clockwise end - it will only bring about your insanity.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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OMG she's going anti-clockwise. Finally.


written by gorillaman  | 7 months ago | CH
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humph, you're no fun, blankfist (that's my tongue sticking out at you)


written by swampgirl  | 7 months ago | CH
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Haha. I'm here to be the proverbial stick in the mud.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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Not a chance in hell of counter-clockwise. To me, I see it as a 3-D model, and if the outboard side of her leg (side away from crotch) is what's 'pushing through the air' then it seems impossible for her to spin counter clockwise.


written by MarineGunrock  | 7 months ago | CH
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MarineGunrock, that's exactly what I thought, then my GF explained the outstretched leg (which clockwise peeps perceive as being her right leg) is the left leg when seeing it spin counter-clockwise. I've stared at this damn thing for a long time, trying to force my brain to recognize the "right" leg as the "left", but to no avail.

It's hopeless for me.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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What if she just stops?


written by silvercord  | 7 months ago | CH
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Then you've just given yourself a stroke.


written by swampgirl  | 7 months ago | CH
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119 views. 21 comments. 7 votes. 1 stroke.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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@ blank, ROFL


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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Hey Swampgirl, I can make it spin in either direction at will, too. I think of her stopping and turning around and she does. Can you make it go faster or slower? I have to make her slow down, before I can get her to stop and turn around.


written by persephone  | 7 months ago | CH
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She just slowed down and dropped my t-cell count.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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Proof that she's going clockwise!

http://wtf.videosift.com/talk/Dancing-ballerina-proof-that-shes-going-clockwise


written by MarineGunrock  | 7 months ago | CH
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I find I can get it to switch back and forth if I cover the image with my hand so that all I can see are the lower legs and feet and focus on those body parts. Usually, it takes a few seconds for the switch to work. I've also seen it switch sometimes if I just take my eyes off of it for a few seconds. it's hard to switch back after that, even if I close my eyes a second time, but it does happen eventually if given a little time.

I can't help but feel somebody is playing a trick with this, but maybe that somebody is just my own perception.


written by Spiff  | 7 months ago | CH
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Using the image that SG referenced it became clear to me that key is watching her left foot. If you focus in on it, you can envision it oscillating back and forth with the toes pointed away from you rather than rotating. From there you can envision it going either clockwise or counter-clockwise.


written by twiddles  | 7 months ago | CH
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Raargh make it stop!!!


written by Laekroth  | 7 months ago | CH
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I get clockwise when I look at the entire picture. To get it to go counter-clockwise I focus on the reflection of her foot on the ground.

It's funny, I'm a CS major so theoretically I should be left-brained, but for some reason it's ten times easier for me to see her as going clockwise than counter-clockwise. Hmm...maybe it's a sign I should switch to fashion design instead.


written by MojoeMAN  | 7 months ago | CH
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^ Nah, i cant make it go AC, and I'm a computer programmer. Programing has more to do with Art, than is intuited. At least, good programing does.


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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I think that knowing that others could see it both ways pushed me to see it both ways myself. I think that focusing on the point between the foot and the shadow is what works for me. It's the most ambiguous point of the figure, and therefore is easiest to "change".


written by blutruth  | 7 months ago | CH
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if that's spinning counter-clockwise i'll eat and digest my right thumb.


written by deputydog  | 7 months ago | CH
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If reading my 3rd post in MGs sift talk on this, lets you see it in the still frame shots, do you still eat the thumb?




written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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My wife and I both see it clockwise, but she's far more artistic than I am. I got her to slow down, but that might just be my crappy browser/computer Excellent sift. I forwarded it to my entire family.


written by bhyphenlow  | 7 months ago | CH
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It spins both ways for me too.

Oh, and the left-brain/right-brain non-sense has been shown to be a bunch of new-age garbage. It means nothing. Some of the greatest artists in history were left-handed. Some of the greatest artists in history were right handed.

It doesn't matter. This is an optical illusion. Look at the feet and you can get her to spin either way. Doesn't mean anything.


written by Goofball_Jones  | 7 months ago | CH
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well, i guess i'm the oddball here. I saw her turning counterclockwise first, and I couldn't make her turn clockwise. Well, until i went to push the upvote button then HEY, SHE'S DOING IT!


written by supersaiyan93  | 7 months ago | CH
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@Goofball, i agree about the handedness/artists, but the brain hemispheres are still freaky things.

Split brain


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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I can't believe no one has asked this, but I do wonder, when they programmed it, which direction it is going? Cause, well, I can make it go both ways and I know that's just not physically possible, so it's merely a trick of the brain . . . but jesus, if only I knew which way it's supposed to go!!!! DAMNIT!


written by shatterdrose  | 7 months ago | CH
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The whole left/right brain thing is nonsense. There is such a thing as hemispheric dominance, but it doesn't have any bearing on your personality. And this animation isn't even a test for it. I wish people would leave this silly little myth behind, it's so brainless for people to keep spouting "oh yes, I'm a left-brain person" as if it means they're all artistic and woo. It's embarrassing.


written by WilloTheWisp  | 7 months ago | CH
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Shatterdose, check out the blog I made. I mentioned that already.


written by MarineGunrock  | 7 months ago | CH
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clockwise only for me.


written by berticus  | 7 months ago | CH
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clockwise but i can change it if i want, and i'm everthing in that list


written by MINK  | 7 months ago | CH
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The whole thing is just a vast generalization.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateralization_of_brain_function

The idea that you can determine how your brain works from watching a ballerina is absurd.


written by Fjnbk  | 7 months ago | CH
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This is the key to seeing it however you want - imagine her jumping when her toe is facing you, and she looks like she is going one way, then imagine her landing instead when her toe is facing you, and she looks like she is going the other way.

And here is another, the REAL KEY to seeing it however you want - imagine you are sitting slightly below her foot level, looking up at her sole, and she is going one way, imagine you are sitting slightly above her foot level, looking down at her feet, and she is going the other way.

With the second technique I can voluntarily switch between perspectives. The difficulty lies in your brain settling on a vertical perspective. Are you above or below her? I like to imagine her on top.


written by deathcow  | 7 months ago | CH
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^ You would, too.
I always knew deathcow was a womanizer.


written by MarineGunrock  | 7 months ago | CH
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If you cross your eyes enough she slaps her own ass.


written by Peroxide  | 7 months ago | CH
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awesome! i finally got her to spin counter clockwise! now all i have to do is look at her foot and she changes. i guess cuz my brain knows what to do now.


written by Dignant_Pink  | 7 months ago | CH
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can anyone make them both spin in different directions? im pretty sure thats impossible.


written by Dignant_Pink  | 7 months ago | CH
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lol @ Peroxide


written by supersaiyan93  | 7 months ago | CH
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I can see them going opposite directions if I look at it in a "wide" view. It reminds me of martial arts when you are sparring and look at the whole person and not focus on specific thing. I have to concentrate real hard.


written by CaveBear  | 7 months ago | CH
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CW.


written by calvados  | 7 months ago | CH
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This is it

"
MojoeMAN
I get clockwise when I look at the entire picture. To get it to go counter-clockwise I focus on the reflection of her foot on the ground.

It's funny, I'm a CS major so theoretically I should be left-brained, but for some reason it's ten times easier for me to see her as going clockwise than counter-clockwise. Hmm...maybe it's a sign I should switch to fashion design instead.
"

Focus on the reflection people


written by Traker  | 7 months ago | CH
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Strange, when I first watched it, it was going counter-clockwise. Then I scrolled down to read the description, and counter-clockwise describes me pretty well. Then I watched it again, and now it's spinning clockwise. I covered my left eye and just for a second it spun counter-clockwise, then went back to clockwise.


written by jimnms  | 7 months ago | CH
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If I watch the continuous image in swampgirls link, it will change directions every few seconds.


written by jimnms  | 7 months ago | CH
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I found it very easy to switch by pausing it and imagining the outstretched leg as either her left or right before restarting. (Naturally spun right for me on first look with a brief sputter to the left).


written by dr20  | 7 months ago | CH
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It's a 3d model and its spinning clock wise. All my training in Computer Animation tells me this. I am trying to get her to spin the other way though


written by K0MMIE  | 7 months ago | CH
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The thing is it's not a 3d model at all; it's a looped series of ambiguous frames. She's not literally spinning either way.


written by gorillaman  | 7 months ago | CH
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Start by looking at the middle of the screen, clockwise.....if you begin from the ground up, counter....worked for me-


written by choggie  | 7 months ago | CH
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Am I the only one that can only see her going counter-clockwise?


written by Reylor  | 7 months ago | CH
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totally clockwise no matter what, for me.

and in the link SG posted first thing I noticed was the nipple.

what does it mean?


written by looris  | 7 months ago | CH
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^ you are using your "lower brain".


written by MINK  | 7 months ago | CH
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I couldn't get this thing to spin counter-clockwise at all. I thought the same thing: "This is a 3D model, and it's rendered with her right leg extended. Though, last night, my gf brought the laptop to bed, and she was looking at it, and while I was laying down (looking at the screen sideways), I finally saw her spinning counter-clockwise. Finally!

It was a fleeting moment lost to history forever.


written by blankfist  | 7 months ago | CH
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@ Mink, its the upper brain if your DC and she's on top...


written by Thylan  | 7 months ago | CH
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rotfl mink


written by looris  | 7 months ago | CH
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At first i could only see her spinning clockwise, but after some practicing, i now see her switching from clockwice to counterclockwise if i look at the floor beneath her foot, and depending on the moment i watch the whole picture again, she turns either of both ways.

Pretty cool sift, first vid that made me go through the hassle of registering


written by f_unk  | 7 months ago | CH
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yikes. seems like 90% of people see her going clockwise. It took me using peripheral vision to get her to switch. Freaky though because she sort of skipped abeat in my mind when she switched. Amazing what the mind can imply.


written by phelixian  | 7 months ago | CH
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I seem to have two right brain halves... Drives me nuts!

Next thing I will see spinning is my laptop out the window in a second (clockwise)


written by maatc  | 7 months ago | CH
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from my brother-in-law, who does research in cognitive psychology:

As far as I can tell, it's an optical illusion that is in the same class as the necker cube, an illusion that I'm sure you are all familiar with, even if you don't know it by name. Both of these are "bi-stable images" (or, in the case of the ballerina, a bi-stable movie, I guess), that your brain can interpret in one of two ways. If you are looking at the cube, with a little practice, you can force it to switch between the two interpretations pretty easily. I suspect that a forced switch will be harder with the ballerina because it's a moving image, but it should be possible. I've found that if I focus j