Chapter 5: Why Can't You Believe Everything You See?

Our mind can play tricks on us making us see things that aren't always there, and physics can be just as tricky. You can't always believe what you see. There's no doubt that what your eyes can see in the world around you can bring immense pleasure—but just occasionally the things your eyes see can fill you with fear and dread. Most horror films and Halloween experiences rely hugely on the ability to unnerve you with apparitions or sudden appearances that seem to defy explanation, but can we always trust what we see? Maybe science can give us an alternative view of these spooky goings-on.