When Seeing is Not Believing: Why Optical Illusions Work

Can you trust what you see? Sometimes our eyes play tricks on us — or at least that’s what it seems.  What is actually happening when we are caught out by optical illusions gives a real insight (sorry) into how our brain works.

Associate Professor Alex Holcombe from the University of Sydney presented an evening of talks and interactive events as part of Science week 2017. Tickets sold out at a rate that would put Justin Bieber or Jerry Seinfeld to shame.

Open House challenged Dr Holcombe to tell this visual story on the radio to give us a sense of the some of the mental gymnastics our brains go through we interpret reality.

• More: See this article by Alex Holcome on the Conversation