Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive familiar patterns, such as faces or animals, in random or ambiguous stimuli. This phenomenon occurs when our brain attempts to make sense of visual information by finding recognizable shapes where none actually exist. The illusory aspect of pareidolia lies in its ability to transform ordinary objects or abstract forms into something meaningful, highlighting the brain’s natural inclination to seek out familiar patterns in the world around us.
Definition and Criteria
- Pareidolia: Seeing patterns that aren’t really there, such as faces or animals in clouds or objects.
- Criteria for Acceptance:
- If it’s staged then the pattern is really there and it’s not pareidolia. We may still consider it as illusory art.
- Should be extremely obvious and compelling.
- Must be clean, non-pixelated, non-sexual, and non-gross.
- Needs to offer something amusing or interesting beyond the initial illusion.
Submission Guidelines
- Staged Pareidolia: Not really pareidolia, may be considered as “Illusory Art.”
- Moderation: At least one moderator must approve the submission. Opinions may vary.
- Explanation: Provide a caption explaining the illusion to help viewers identify it.
- Redirection: For rejected pareidolia, consider posting to a group that focuses on pareidolia such as the “Things with Faces” group: Things with Faces
Common Decline Reasons
- Staged or Intentionally Placed Patterns: Not considered true pareidolia.
- Quality Issues: Dirty, pixelated, or unclear images.
- Repetitive Content: Similar to previously posted content.
- Offensive Content: Gross or sexual imagery.
Additional Notes
- Subjectivity: Pareidolia is highly subjective and open to interpretation.
- Community Engagement: Be prepared for differing opinions and discussions.
- Facebook Infractions: While Facebook may flag pareidolia, it’s not considered an infraction within the group.
Note
- Influence on Submissions: If you want more say in what is accepted, consider volunteering to help moderate. While we value all opinions, moderation decisions are based on group guidelines to try to maintain some quality and consistency.
By following these guidelines, we aim to maintain the group’s focus on illusions, fostering an engaging and respectful community for all members.