Seth's Blog : The two train illusion

If you're at the station, sitting on a train about to leave, you might notice that the train next to you is moving. But, perhaps, that train is sitting still and you're moving. It's hard to tell. Without the lurch of sudden acceleration, the only clue ...

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The two train illusion

If you’re at the station, sitting on a train about to leave, you might notice that the train next to you is moving.

But, perhaps, that train is sitting still and you’re moving. It’s hard to tell. Without the lurch of sudden acceleration, the only clue we have is that our relative position is changing.

For most of us, it’s disconcerting–we know something is moving, but we’re not sure exactly what’s happening.

Do we stay where we are… does anyone?

Whether or not we commit to movement, the world never stays precisely as it was. Insisting that it does is simply a waste of time and a source of frustration.

   

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