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    From the Vault: The Invention of the Mirror, Part 2

    enSeptember 17, 2022

    Podcast Summary

    • Connecting with community and innovationBuilding strong community connections brings personal benefits and prepares us for unexpected situations. Transparency and simplicity in pricing and technology advancements contribute to a better overall experience.

      Building strong community connections can bring both personal benefits and prepare us for unexpected situations. Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer's network, emphasizes the importance of connecting with those around us. Meanwhile, in a different context, the value of straightforwardness and simplicity was highlighted with AT&T Fiber's guaranteed pricing. In the realm of technology, artificial intelligence is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future. These diverse topics showcase the importance of connection, transparency, and innovation in our lives. Whether it's through community engagement, straightforward pricing, or advanced technology, there's always room for growth and improvement.

    • The Significance of Mirrors in History and CultureMirrors have held cultural and spiritual importance throughout history, revealing hidden information and representing the intersection of technology and human artifice.

      Mirrors have held significant cultural and spiritual importance throughout history due to their ability to reveal hidden or indirect information. From ancient civilizations like Anatolia and Mesoamerica, to modern-day uses in everyday life such as driving, mirrors have served practical and mystical purposes. In particular, the Aztec deity Tezcatlipoca, known as the "lord of the smoking mirror," embodies this connection between mirrors and the supernatural. Tezcatlipoca, who is associated with darkness and untamed space, represents the intersection of technology and human artifice, as mirrors require human invention to bring out their reflective properties. This distinction between Tezcatlipoca and his rival Quetzalcoatl, who embodies natural elements, highlights the importance of human innovation and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us.

    • Aztec God Tezcatlipoca and His Circular Obsidian MirrorsThe Aztec god Tezcatlipoca was linked to circular obsidian mirrors, which were believed to grant access to the spirit realm and were considered sacred.

      The ancient Aztec deity Tezcatlipoca was significantly associated with circular obsidian mirrors, which were central to his worship and identity. These mirrors, often worn as amulets by priests, were traced back to Mexico using geological means. Despite the ambiguous nature of these reflective devices, they were believed to provide access to the spirit realm and were considered powerful and sacred. However, the provenance of many obsidian mirrors, including the famous one owned by John Dee, remains uncertain due to their long history and travel between museums and collections.

    • Ancient mirror used for divination and gazing into the futureAn ancient obsidian mirror believed for divination, local volunteer network strengthens community, Astepro relieves nasal allergies, Apple Card offers up to 3% daily cash back

      The mirror discussed, which is part of Doctor Dee's treasures in the British Museum, is believed to have been used for divination purposes in various ancient cultures, including the Maya civilization. This mirror, made of obsidian, was thought to allow priests and magicians to gaze into the future and potentially see reflections of the cosmos. The mirror's dark surface may have been linked to the darkness between the stars. Additionally, a local volunteer network, Neighbor to Neighbor, was mentioned as a way to build stronger community bonds and prepare for emergencies. Meanwhile, Astepro, a fast-acting nasal allergy spray, was introduced as a solution for allergy sufferers. Lastly, Apple Card was presented as a cash back rewards credit card offering up to 3% daily cash back on purchases.

    • From ancient mirrors to modern automotive partsMirrors have a long history, from ancient uses to modern automotive applications, and eBay Motors offers a wide range of affordable parts to keep vehicles running smoothly

      Mirrors have a rich history dating back thousands of years, with various types and uses evolving over time. Starting from ancient Anatolia with obsidian discs, mirrors later appeared in Egypt in the form of possible mirrors made from stone or ceramic. By the 4th millennium BCE, metal mirrors, primarily made of copper, became more common. The use of mirrors extended beyond practical functions, as they held religious significance and were associated with the gods or used in divination. Fast forward to the present day, eBay Motors offers a wide range of automotive parts, ensuring your vehicle stays in top shape. With eBay's guaranteed fit and affordable prices, you can keep your ride running smoothly, no matter what it needs.

    • Mirrors: Reflecting the Inner Self and PerceptionMirrors have historical significance as symbols of the inner self and have the ability to reflect light. They also challenge our understanding of perception and reality through their 'strange face in the mirror effect' and hallucinations experienced during extended blindfolding.

      Mirrors have held significant meaning throughout history, symbolizing the inner self and providing a way to look back. The ancient Egyptians, with their solar-oriented culture, valued mirrors for their ability to reflect sunlight. Mirrors also have the ability to create the "strange face in the mirror effect," leading to intriguing questions about perception and reality. In a study published in the Journal of Neuro Ophthalmology in 2004, subjects who were blindfolded for extended periods began to hallucinate, raising questions about the nature of sight and the role of other senses in shaping our perceptions. This research adds to the idea that our visual perception is not just a recording of the world around us, but an active construction of reality in our minds. Additionally, there are urban legends and folk beliefs about supernatural apparitions appearing in mirrors under certain conditions. Overall, the history and effects of mirrors challenge our understanding of perception and reality.

    • The mysterious nature of mirrors and low light conditions can lead to supernatural or hallucinatory experiencesStaring at our own reflection in a dimly lit mirror for extended periods can trigger hallucinations, potentially explaining the origins of supernatural mirror legends

      The combination of staring at our own reflection in a mirror, especially in low light conditions, can create a vulnerable state of mind that may lead to experiencing supernatural or hallucinatory phenomena, as suggested by the legend of Bloody Mary or the research on the "Strange Face in the Mirror Illusion." The mirror's mysterious nature and the use of flickering or low light only add to the spookiness of the experience. Although the author Susana Martinez Conde did not see the devil as a child when attempting this, recent psychological studies suggest that such legends might be based on real experiences. The "Strange Face in the Mirror Illusion" study, led by psychologist Giovanni Caputo, found that subjects who stared at their own reflection in a dimly lit room for ten minutes reported seeing strange faces or hallucinations. Therefore, the fear and fascination surrounding mirrors and the supernatural may be rooted in our susceptibility to hallucinations under certain conditions.

    • Mirror Gazing Exercise: Unusual Perceptions and Emotional ResponsesA 10-minute mirror gazing exercise can lead to perceptually strange experiences, such as seeing deformations of one's own face or hallucinations of unknown people, archetypal faces, animal faces, or fantastical beings. Emotional reactions, including feelings of otherness, dissociation, and strong emotional responses, are also common.

      A 10-minute mirror gazing exercise led to a variety of perceptually strange or even hallucinatory experiences for participants. These experiences ranged from seeing deformations of their own faces, to seeing the faces of parents, unknown people, archetypal faces, animal faces, or fantastical beings. Caputo also reported emotional reactions, including feelings of otherness, dissociation, and strong emotional responses. The causes of these experiences could be due to optical illusions such as Troxler fading, which causes unchanging visual stimuli in the periphery to fade away the longer you stare at a fixation point. However, the exact cause remains unclear and requires further research. Overall, this study highlights the power of introspection and the potential for the mind to create unusual perceptions when focusing on a single stimulus for an extended period.

    • Exploring Optical Illusions and Community ConnectionsOptical illusions like the Troxler fading effect can influence our perception of the world. Building community connections through initiatives like Neighbor to Neighbor is important. Adaptation, or desensitization to unchanging stimuli, is a concept seen in various aspects of life.

      Our perception of the world around us can be influenced by optical illusions like the Troxler fading effect. This illusion causes certain areas of an image to fade when we focus intently on a specific point. The Cheshire cat face discussed in the podcast is an example of this illusion. While the optical effect is interesting, the conversation also touched on the importance of building community connections through initiatives like Neighbor to Neighbor. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the concept of adaptation, or the desensitization of sensory neurons to unchanging stimuli. This can be seen in various aspects of life, from optical illusions to our daily experiences. Furthermore, the podcast featured sponsors eBay Motors and Visible, emphasizing the importance of having a reliable car and affordable wireless plans, respectively. Lastly, Boar's Head Sweet Bee's Honey Barbecue Glazed Chicken was introduced as a delicious and slow-roasted option for barbecue lovers. In summary, the podcast explored the fascinating world of optical illusions, the importance of community connections, and the concept of adaptation, while also highlighting the offerings of eBay Motors, Visible, and Boar's Head.

    • Our brains filter out repetitive sensory information, leading to the fading or distortion of perceived objects.The brain's tendency to filter out repetitive sensory information can cause perceived objects to fade or distort, particularly in complex perceptions like seeing fantastical or monstrous beings.

      Our brains have a tendency to filter out or ignore repetitive sensory information, a phenomenon known as Troxler fading. This can lead to the fading or distortion of perceived objects, such as the outer features of a face when we stare intently at a central point. However, some more complex perceptions, like seeing fantastical or monstrous beings or animal faces, are less well understood and may involve a disruption of the mental faculty that combines individual face traits into a unified experience. Caputo's research suggests that low light conditions may contribute to this effect by generating a haphazard assembly of face traits. Yet, the exact cause of these perceptions remains somewhat obscure.

    • Seeing strange faces during prolonged intersubjective gazingDuring uninterrupted staring in low light, people may perceive strange or creepy faces during intersubjective gazing, not just during mirror gazing.

      The phenomenon of seeing strange faces in mirrors or during prolonged gazing at another person's face is not limited to mirrors. It can occur during intersubjective gazing, meaning when two people stare at each other's faces for extended periods in low light. This was discovered in a study published in "Consciousness and Cognition" in 2013. The key elements are uninterrupted staring, long exposure times, and low light. While mirror gazing can be a tool for experiencing these effects, it's not the only cause. The study also found that the test subjects, who were sketch artists, drew strange and creepy faces based on what they saw during the experiment. These findings suggest that there might be some common neural processes involved in perceiving strange faces, regardless of the stimulus source. So, the next time you're on a long, uninterrupted stare session during a date night, you might just see something strange and intriguing. But remember, it's important to keep things interesting and not just focus on the other person's face for too long. After all, a good date night involves more than just gazing into each other's eyes.

    • Understanding Our Fascination with Faces: Monstrous Monkey Women, Mirrors, and Eye ContactOur perception of faces, including our own, is complex and influenced by factors like mirrors and prolonged eye contact. The monstrous monkey woman can be both monstrous and adorable, while mirrors provide insight but can lead to self-misidentification. Professionals need to balance eye contact for effective communication.

      Our perception of faces, particularly our own, can be both fascinating and unsettling. The discussion touched upon various topics, including the monstrous monkey woman, mirror reflections, and the impact of prolonged eye contact. The monstrous monkey woman, while not appearing monstrous to some, can serve as an adorable teacher for children. Mirrors provide access to face stimuli without judgment, but they can also lead to self-misidentification and profound reactions. Professionals who require prolonged eye contact, such as therapists, might experience heightened effects. Balancing the appropriate amount of eye contact is crucial, as too little may suggest disinterest, while too much can be invasive. Mirrors add an extra layer of complexity to our understanding of reality, revealing that our faces are just an assemblage of organs and highlighting our resemblance to various people and creatures.

    • Exploring the Illusion of Reality through Haunted Mirrors in FilmsHaunted mirrors in films create eerie and unsettling experiences through the manipulation of our perception of reality, using the simplicity of a mirror as a prop to execute intricate illusions.

      The concept of a face is a persistent illusion we maintain in our perception of reality. Mirrors can be used to challenge or manipulate this illusion, creating effects and illusions, and serving as tools for bending reality. The exploration of haunted mirrors in films is a fascinating and complex topic, with memorable scenes often involving the use of mirrors to create eerie and unsettling experiences. Despite the apparent simplicity of using a mirror as a prop, the execution can be quite intricate, making the exploration of this theme in films a rich and engaging topic for further discussion.

    • Simplifying Communication and Co-ownershipVisible offers transparent pricing and no hidden fees for phone plans, while Picasso simplifies co-ownership of luxury vacation homes with maintenance, billing, and scheduling services.

      Both Visible and Picasso offer unique solutions to make your life easier. Visible, with its transparent pricing and no hidden fees, encourages you to make the switch to their communication plan. On the other hand, Picasso simplifies the process of co-owning a luxury vacation home by handling all the maintenance, billing, and scheduling. If you're looking for a new phone plan, Visible's promise of no surprises and clear pricing might be just what you need. For those seeking a getaway, Fairmont Austin's luxury accommodations and Texas flair make it an ideal vacation destination. And for those interested in co-owning a vacation home, Picasso's ease and potential for profit make it an attractive option. Investing in a Visible plan means no more unexpected charges, while Picasso's co-ownership model allows you to enjoy a luxury vacation home without the hassle of maintenance and upkeep. Whether it's a new phone plan or a vacation home, both Visible and Picasso aim to make your life simpler and more enjoyable. For more information on Visible, visit visible.com. To explore Picasso's vacation home listings, go to picaso.com.

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