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Hollow face surveillance

Inhibit anti-social behaviour through this optical illusion
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A paper has just been released [link] which shows people are more likely to put litter into a nearby bin, etcetera if exhorted to do so by a poster with eyes printed on it rather than one with the same message but a different image such as a flower.

The rationale seems to be that we are more likely to do 'the right thing' if we feel that we are being watched than if we are not being watched - even if the watching is just being done by an inanimate image of eyes. My idea is to ramp this up a notch by making use of the "hollow-face illusion". This is a well-known effect where the mind is insistent that a concave face is really a normal convex face which follows you as you move around. [links]

Install oversize versions of hollow faces in public areas such as inner city mallways. Picture a large version of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons or perhaps a kindly, but disappointed older lady watching the passerbys as they consider throwing down rubbish or graffiti-ing the benches. I might even commission a 3 metre high version of my benevolent visage to smile down upon my employees in the workyard.

It would cheaper than, and much more respectful of privacy, than surveillance cameras.

AusCan531, Jun 10 2012

Why keeping eyes on litter promotes better behaviour http://www.bbc.com/...ping-eyes-on-litter
[AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Stephen Fry demonstrates the hollow-face illusion http://www.youtube....watch?v=ORoTCBrCKIQ
[AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

The illusion room in Puzzling world - Wanaka NZ http://www.youtube....watch?v=UQMd2SbhXf0
[AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Three Dragons optical illusion http://www.youtube....3MM&feature=related
Pretty Cool! Worth checking out. [AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Independent effects of lighting, orientation, and stereopsis on the hollow-face illusion http://www.ncbi.nlm....gov/pubmed/8190593
Lighting from the bottom works best but any direction is ok. [AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Charlie Chaplin mask with external lighting http://www.youtube....watch?v=oJIQTf5UpRU
Now just image you were walking by rather than the mask itself rotating. (Go ahead - TRY and make the face not rotate the other way in your mind!) [AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Print your own dragon to watch your every movement http://www.moillusi...ragon-illusion.html
[AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Study of hollow face illusion variables such as lighting, orientation, pigmentation etc http://www.ncbi.nlm...gov/pubmed/17402664
The mind's preference for seeing faces as convex is what matters most. [AusCan531, Jun 10 2012]

Buy your own Einstein hollow face illusion http://www.grand-il..._Face_Illusion.html
[AusCan531, Jun 12 2012]

dragon, done with me own two hands.. http://www.facebook...p?v=305463749546499
...and some scissors, and some glue [not_morrison_rm, Jun 12 2012]

more variations on the dragon http://www.actiludis.com/?p=12037
[not_morrison_rm, Jun 14 2012]

image that changes with viewing angle
maybe you could use this idea to make eyes that appear to follow you. [xaviergisz, Jun 14 2012]

[link]






       <in best Mr Burns voice> Exxcellent! </MBV>
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       My idea [bigs] is take the phenomenon discovered by the researchers using 2D images and enhance the results by using 3D and apparently moving images caused by this optical illusion. Even a static picture of a real face gives a much lower impression of being watched.   

       I should have made that clear in the posting by saying "My idea is to ramp this up a notch by making use of the 'hollow-face illusion'."   

       Oh yeah wait, I did say that.
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       Ah, I see where we have gone astray. Put large, static 3D hollow faces up in the public areas as mentioned and as you walk around the eyes seem to be following you specifically. I have been to the walls of hollow-faces in Wanaka [3rd link] and as you wander around the effect is quite remarkable. I will stick to my guns on the notion that 'hollow' and '3D' are not 2D. (And I was being tongue in cheek about putting my own face up in the workplace - just to clarify)
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       The effect does not need backlighting as the linked study shows. You could make the concave faces out of concrete if you wished - no backlighting required. The optimal lighting would be from below as the study indicates but ambient lighting from any direction would suffice.
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       //Only if the 3D model were coloured to indicate form //   

       Did you look at the Charlie Chaplin video?
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       //It does follow you round the room// For Gawd's sake man! Put it on a leash. (and remove your m f d s'il vous plait) There is a link to print out the same dragons as in the video [link]. I'm going to do this tomorrow.
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       Ummm, gee thanks. I already understood the theory and figured the original posting and the 7 links counted as 'detail' but I stand corrected. It is always a pleasure to learn at the feet of a master.
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       AusCan531 - saw the same effect yonks ago on some UK tv show, it just works "as is" no special lighting required...   

       Top marks for patience and not actually braining bigsleep
not_morrison_rm, Jun 10 2012
  

       Thanks [n_m_rm]. I've been described as being patient as the ocean - but even oceans have limits. I think that [bigsleep's] mfd and multiple foot-dragging annotations because HE doesn't understand the concept or read the links I've posted is a bit rich.   

       Nonetheless, I shall delve into the Marianis Trench of my patience and post one more study [link] specifically addressing [big's] final objections. This study, for anyone who doesn't bother to read it shows that the main criteria for this illusion is the human mind's insistence to see familiar objects (faces) as convex objects despite contrary cues. This propensity outweighs lighting, orientation and pigmentation. Even photographically negative colouring is over-ridden by the mind.   

       This is a scientific study which states: "The hollow-face illusion, in which a mask appears as a convex face, is a powerful example of binocular depth inversion occurring with a real object under a wide range of viewing conditions" deals with real, not 2D, objects and specifically addresses lighting conditions. My sources have been linked for anyone to find and read themselves.   

       In order to see where [bigsleep] gets his assertions //it would only work within a narrow angle unless you had a carefully backlit model// and that //no other lighting works// you need the assistance of a doctor with a good flashlight. In this one instance, special lighting would indeed be required (as well as rubber gloves).
AusCan531, Jun 10 2012
  

       Zardoz.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 10 2012
  

       Snipers ?   

       // not actually braining bigsleep //   

       Not exactly a "target-rich environment" ...
8th of 7, Jun 10 2012
  

       cutting...
not_morrison_rm, Jun 11 2012
  

       //you really can't justify an idea by posting more and more links//   

       True, but READING and understanding the links however....   

       I only posted the examples that I did because I seemed to be struggling to get the concept across to you. Still not sure I've succeded, although you have, grudgingly, given up a lot of ground but its like pushing a rope.
AusCan531, Jun 11 2012
  

       For once, I actually haven't read most of the annos, but this idea is really creepy. I like it.   

       Notice how the bun follows you around the room.
Alterother, Jun 11 2012
  

       That's only because it is tangled up in your sideburns.
pocmloc, Jun 11 2012
  

       You can buy your own hollow face Einstein at the [link]. Be sure to watch the first video on the website where they give a demonstration of the illusion using a non-coloured, uniform-toned 3D hollow mask on a grey day outside with just ambient lighting and no backlighting or controlled lighting.
AusCan531, Jun 12 2012
  

       Perhaps a small ([8th] could help out here) Claymore- mine-type device, to dissuade litterers who throw litter next to the bin?
UnaBubba, Jun 12 2012
  

       got bored and printed out the dragon wossername, that one does only work well with one closed...see linky link link..
not_morrison_rm, Jun 12 2012
  

       Stand further back [n_m_rm]. I made all three colours in 3 different sizes and put them in the office. As you walk by they definitely follow you with their gaze. I might get around to doing a video too - although I can't emulate your funky accent.   

       Not a bad idea [UnaBubba] but methinks that your suggestion would just create more of a mess than it saves. Of course, judicious example-making of just a few offenders might put you ahead in the long run.
AusCan531, Jun 12 2012
  

       //I made all three colours in 3 different sizes and put them in the office   

       I give you fair warning, I have some A0 paper and I'm not afraid to use it...   

       <well, Kinkos/Fedex down the road has some>   

       PS what accent?
not_morrison_rm, Jun 12 2012
  

       //Nicely done (for a northerner)   

       Worcestershire boy, I am. However another English guy, while we were both in England, asked me where in Germany I was from...confused! Muzakashi!! Taihen!!!
not_morrison_rm, Jun 12 2012
  

       Found a couple of variations on the dragon, cat, frog etc see link.
not_morrison_rm, Jun 14 2012
  

       // another English guy, while we were both in England, asked me where in Germany I was from //   

       We never knew you were related to the Royal Family ... you've managed to keep that VERY quiet ...   

       PS Don't Mention The War.
8th of 7, Jun 14 2012
  

       If problem is littering, people not putting rubbish in the a bin, then prehaps instead of a concave face (with or with out lighting) which may or may not increase the chances of a person putting something in the bin, how about - A bin that follows you around the room.   

       Small bin on wheels attached by strap to your waist. Concave face optional. Done.
S-note, Jun 15 2012
  
      
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