On 19 Apr 2004, Tom Allaway wrote: > > I do believe I've got it! The demonstration experiment involved, in > my case, a small kitchen device similar to a salad spinner, containing > a rotating perforated plastic tub. When spun under a flourescent > light, it showed a clear "wagon wheel effect" (i.e., the temporary > appearance and reverse rotation of the perforations during > deceleration). I took it outside, and there was no effect to be > observed. The crucial test: with my only source being daylight, I > applied to my skull a vibratory stimulus, in the form of the business > end of an electric toothbrush (minus the brush part) pressed against > my chin. Violets! There was the wagon wheel effect! Q.E.D. > > Let's hear it for empiricism.
Absolutely brilliant! And speaking of empiricism, this I've gotta see for myself. If confirmed, Tom, start working on your short note to _Nature_. The vibration requirement may also explain why Beth saw it while driving in a car. But one mystery remains: what was Dale Purves doing to vibrate his skull when he observed the effect outdoors? Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
