Pareidolia: Faces in the Clouds
N
Neuroscience Contributor
Evolutionary Survival
Why do we see faces everywhere? Because missing a face (a predator or enemy) in the jungle could mean death. Seeing a face where there is none (a rock) is a cheap mistake. Better to be safe than sorry.
Meaning Making
This extends beyond faces. We see patterns in stock markets, “lucky” streaks in gambling, and shapes in stars (constellations). We are pattern-seeking machines in a chaotic universe.
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