The internet is full of people who are constantly trying to stump each other with tricks, optical illusions, and riddles. Whether we want to admit it or not, we love a good challenge and also want to figure something out, even if it takes a while.
Our brains are wired to want to solve things and come up with solutions, so that's why we're always gravitating toward these kinds of videos online.
Optical illusions have actually been around for centuries, despite their ever-growing popularity on social media. Historically, they have been traced back all the way to Ancient Greece. Greek philosophers were fascinated with the mind and how it works, presenting tons of experiments to "trick" the brain.
In the 1960s, many artists began to focus on abstract art and create optical illusions within their works. Some of their paintings and sculptures were actually meant to trick your mind into seeing things in a particular way, sometimes things that are not even there.
With video-sharing platforms like TikTok and Instagram so easily accessible, people online have begun to share optical illusions with many on the world wide web in order to gain popularity and recognition. And, because our minds just gravitate towards these things, we all play along.
Use HecticNick shares tons of optical illusion videos on his TikTok channel, along with brain games and other riddles for users to try and solve and understand. Sometimes, it takes people a while to get it, but once one person does, the comment section is on fire!
One of the optical illusions shared on his TikTok page showcases block lettering of two words, but it's quite hard to read at first. According to HecticNick, only 1% of people can read what is hidden in the image, so it seems rather hard.
The image showcases shapes and bubble/block lettering, but it is a bit difficult to decipher what exactly the message is in the code. HecticNick suggests squinting your eyes shut about 90% in order to try and read what it says.
Ironically, the message that is hidden in the optical illusion is a play on us all, reading "bad eyes." This is pretty ironic seeing as you need to squint in order to see it. The comment section was flooded with "it was so easy!"
Other videos HecticNick shared online are a bit more challenging to see. In one video, he asks users if they can see what is inside the red circle. At first glance, it may just look like a red circle, but if you "relax your eyes" as the TikTok user says, you may be able to see what is inside.
Some optical illusions double the fun—you may see one picture in the beginning, but then if you pay close attention, there is a hidden picture inside of there, too. And, sometimes, it's a hidden word that is placed within a picture.
Many optical illusions that are shared on HectnicNick's TikTok go viral because people are arguing over which image they see. With abstract photos and art, there are many times when you think you can see one thing, but someone else sees another.
While they may be confusing and frustrating to look at or solve, optical illusions are definitely things that keep our brains working and strong. We might as well keep on trying to solve them to keep our brains working.
