Ninio’s Extinction Illusion is a fascinating optical illusion where your brain “extinguishes” certain details, prioritizing what evolution decided was most important. It’s a vivid reminder that what we perceive isn’t always the full picture.
One such version is the Hermann Grid variation. It has a larger overlapping cross pattern with 12 black dots aligned in three rows. When you look at a row, it is very difficult to see more than three black dots at a time, despite the fact that the entire pattern is within your view. To count all twelve, you have to move your focus slowly from left to right, row to row. And the interesting thing is, even after you know this, you physically cannot get your mind to see all twelve at once.
This was popularized in 2000 by French scientist Jacques Ninio. It highlights the illusory nature of perception, and is yet another tidbit of evidence supporting the idea that life is illusory.
Ancient philosophers explored the idea of illusion deeply. In the East, they might call it Maya or the veil of illusion; in the West, they spoke of Plato’s cave or the shadow of appearances.
Our eyes show us the world, but we now know, reality is deeper than what we see.
