Illusions Column on Pareidolia
![The Face of Mars](http://www.sleightsofmind.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Face-of-Mars.jpg)
“Face on Mars” photographed by Viking 1
Steve and I write the Illusions column for Scientific American Mind. Our article in the September/October issue, already released, discusses pareidolia: a type of illusion in which a vague or random stimulus seems distinct and meaningful.
A preview of the article is available on the Scientific American website.
A Faithful Resemblance
When seeing is believing
By Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen L. Macknik
Also, don’t miss Phil Plait’s disquieting account of showering with Lenin.
What’s your favorite pareidolia?
-Susana Martinez-Conde