logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2022
5m 8s

Does This Look like a Face to You?

Scientific American
About this episode

Science—and experience—show that we most definitely see faces in inanimate objects. But new research finds that, more often than not, we perceive those illusory faces as male.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Oct 10
The Doctor behind the Commander in Chief
Presidential physicians operate at the intersection of medicine, politics and national security. Former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman joins Scientific American associate editor Lauren Young to discuss the unique medical demands of presidential care—from preparing for emer ... Show More
20m 1s
Oct 8
Chris Hadfield’s Fictional Universe Is Rooted in Real Space History
What happens when a real-life astronaut turns to fiction? In this episode, Chris Hadfield shares how decades of spaceflight and global diplomacy inspired his latest novel, Final Orbit, a cold war thriller packed with historical intrigue and technical precision. Host Rachel Feltma ... Show More
10m 52s
Oct 6
Enceladus’s Alien Ocean, Ancient Fungi and the Flavor of Influenza
Saturn’s moon Enceladus reveals complex organic molecules that could hint at extraterrestrial life. Researchers also uncover fungi’s ancient reign over Earth and warn that second COVID infections may pose greater risks to young people. Plus, ants ferment yogurt, and flu detection ... Show More
9m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2021
Comment mieux reconnaître un visage ?
La capacité de dire si l’individu en face de nous est une personne que nous avons déjà croisée ou un total inconnu apparaît comme un élément essentiel dans le contact avec les autres. Si de nombreuses études se sont intéressées à la manière dont le cerveau décode et traite spécif ... Show More
2m 5s
Nov 2016
Episode 52: Losing Face
It happens to all of us: someone recognizes you on the street, calls you by name, and says hello... and you have no idea who that person is. Researchers say this struggle to read other faces is common. This week on Hidden Brain, super-recognizers, and the rest of us. 
22m 34s
May 2021
Notre visage est-il traité différemment de celui d’un autre ?
Lorsque vous regardez des photographies ou une image dans le miroir, vous arrivez, normalement, sans grande difficulté à reconnaître votre visage parmi ceux des autres. Mais que se passe-t-il au niveau cérébral ? Sans que nous en ayons conscience, notre cerveau traite-t-il différ ... Show More
2m 4s
Jan 2015
Better Facial Recognition with Fisherfaces
Now that we know about eigenfaces (if you don't, listen to the previous episode), let's talk about how it breaks down. Variations that are trivial to humans when identifying faces can really mess up computer-driven facial ID--expressions, lighting, and angle are a few. Something ... Show More
11m 56s
Dec 2022
What's In A Face
We think our faces are our own. But technology can use them to identify, influence and mimic us. This week, TED speakers explore the promise and peril of turning the human face into a digital tool. Guests include super recognizer Yenny Seo, Bloomberg columnist Parmy Olson, visual ... Show More
50m 13s
Dec 2023
How Far Can the Human Eye See?
The human eye is basically only limited by the curvature of the Earth and stuff that gets in its way. (Well, and various medical conditions.) Learn how far we can see in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/question198.htmSee omnyst ... Show More
8m 14s
Feb 2023
Can You See What I See?
Everyone sees the world differently. Exactly which colors you see and which of your eyes is doing more work than the other as you read this text is different for everyone. Also different? Our blind spots – both physical and social. As we continue celebrating Black History Month, ... Show More
13m 16s
Jun 2023
Seeing more
We've been building computers to think like us for years, but our ability to replicate human senses has been impossible. Until now. This technological revolution is starting to profoundly change not only how we interact with the world around us, but is allowing us to see, hear, s ... Show More
27m 55s
Mar 2023
The Case of The Blind Man's Eye
Close your eyes and think of a giraffe. Can you see it? I mean, *really* see it - in rich, vivid detail? If not - you aren’t alone!We’ve had scores of messages from listeners who report having a ‘blind mind’s eye’. They don’t see mental images at all and they want to know why. Ju ... Show More
27m 56s