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  3. What do you see when you turn out the light?

What do you see when you turn out the light?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
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  • L Offline
    L Offline
    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

    ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

    D Richard Andrew x64R E M L 15 Replies Last reply
    0
    • L Lost User

      Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

      ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

      D Offline
      D Offline
      dighn
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I see dark patterns and shapes. They are just less black than the background, sometimes almost purple'ish. Sometimes it's random shapes, sometimes there's a pattern (e.g. like blocks). Though occasionally, while half asleep, I see pronounced static patterns (almost exactly like from a TV), accompanied by static sounds... that always freaks me out a bit. Glitch in the matrix? :~

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • L Lost User

        Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

        ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

        Richard Andrew x64R Offline
        Richard Andrew x64R Offline
        Richard Andrew x64
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        That's normal. The cells in your retinas don't stay perfectly quiet when you remove all light.

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • L Lost User

          Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

          ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

          E Offline
          E Offline
          Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          dead people

          Need custom software developed? I do C# development and consulting all over the United States. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane

          H R L 3 Replies Last reply
          0
          • L Lost User

            Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

            ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

            M Offline
            M Offline
            MidwestLimey
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I see lots of speckles too, I imagine is the cones firing randomly in the absence of any stimuli and the visual cortex trying to make sense of nonsensical input.

            Bar fomos edo pariyart gedeem, agreo eo dranem abal edyero eyrem kalm kareore

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            • E Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

              dead people

              Need custom software developed? I do C# development and consulting all over the United States. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane

              H Offline
              H Offline
              Henry Minute
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:

              dead people

              You'll be OK. Unless you can talk to them, that is. Boy will you be in trouble then.

              Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • L Lost User

                Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                I wish I'd see blue.. but my "darkness artifacts" are red and green - about 60/40. For more fun, poke your eyes (gently!) But then what about "light artifacts"? I usually see some light gray spheres swimming around when I look at "quite light but not blinding" things (such as white clouds on a sunny day). They're pretty small and they don't move much relative to my eyes (they move when I move my eyes, they swim around a little when I fix them)

                L 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • L Lost User

                  Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                  ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Mike_V
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Sounds like your CCD sensor is on a high ISO setting. Set your brain to "P" (programmed auto) mode instead of auto mode, and then reduce the ISO setting, preferably to 100. You'll have to keep your eyes open longer between blinks and hold your head steadier to get a good view, though.

                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • L Lost User

                    Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                    ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    There is noise in every system, quite normal.

                    Visit http://www.notreadytogiveup.com/[^] and do something special today.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L Lost User

                      Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                      ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      martin_hughes
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      What do you see when you turn out the light? I see things you wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. That, or more usually a giant pink elephant appears reminding me that I've drunk too much. Again.

                      print "http://www.codeproject.com".toURL().text Ain't that Groovy?

                      D L 2 Replies Last reply
                      0
                      • L Lost User

                        I wish I'd see blue.. but my "darkness artifacts" are red and green - about 60/40. For more fun, poke your eyes (gently!) But then what about "light artifacts"? I usually see some light gray spheres swimming around when I look at "quite light but not blinding" things (such as white clouds on a sunny day). They're pretty small and they don't move much relative to my eyes (they move when I move my eyes, they swim around a little when I fix them)

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Lost User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Your light artifacts are either dust particles on the eye surface or 'floaters' bits of eye material floating around inside your eye *yuk!)

                        ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • M Mike_V

                          Sounds like your CCD sensor is on a high ISO setting. Set your brain to "P" (programmed auto) mode instead of auto mode, and then reduce the ISO setting, preferably to 100. You'll have to keep your eyes open longer between blinks and hold your head steadier to get a good view, though.

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Oh- I WAY precede digital technology - I'm still running on good old film - and I mean OLD!

                          ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • L Lost User

                            Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                            ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                            M Offline
                            M Offline
                            Mladen Jankovic
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            No worries. It's just dark energy[^] and it is going to destroy our universe. But before that happens you have plenty of time to entertain yourself with ping-pong balls and a radio[^]

                            [Genetic Algorithm Library]

                            L 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • E Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

                              dead people

                              Need custom software developed? I do C# development and consulting all over the United States. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              Rama Krishna Vavilala
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              I would have guessed that you see recruiters. Oh Wait! It might be one and the same thing for you.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • M Mladen Jankovic

                                No worries. It's just dark energy[^] and it is going to destroy our universe. But before that happens you have plenty of time to entertain yourself with ping-pong balls and a radio[^]

                                [Genetic Algorithm Library]

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Thanks for the link - but I prefer drugs :) On the Dark Matter front, that's something I really don't understand. Surely any matter not in a star is, effectively, dark matter - so it's not missing, we just can't see it!

                                ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                M 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • M martin_hughes

                                  What do you see when you turn out the light? I see things you wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. That, or more usually a giant pink elephant appears reminding me that I've drunk too much. Again.

                                  print "http://www.codeproject.com".toURL().text Ain't that Groovy?

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  dighn
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I've always wwondered what a c-beam was...

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • D dighn

                                    I've always wwondered what a c-beam was...

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    I'm not sure of the technology, but the fact that they glitter in a vacuum makes for an interesting concept - perhaps they're scattering of dark matter?

                                    ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • L Lost User

                                      Serious question. When I close my eyes in a dark room, I don't see just black. I see millions of tiny multicoloured speckles on a background of black and nearly-black-with-a-hint-of-blue, which is not static, but rather moves slowly (reminds me of a rather gothic lava lamp) I'm not talking after-images here. (it is difficult to describe) When speaking to other people, and asking what they see, most say "Black", "Nothing", or "I can't tell you, but I know it's mine." I asked my 5-year-old what he sees, and from what he describes, it's similar to what I see. So - are we a family of freaks? (relevant comments please!!!) or is this a glimpse of some mystical gateway? or is this what everyone sees?

                                      ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                      M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      Marc Clifton
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      On digital (or even tube) cameras, there is something called dark current.[^] Not quite the same thing, but yes, I've experienced the same affect. What surprises me is that, when I move my eyes, the pattern moves as well. So there's some really fancy stuff going on in the brain, because if what I'm "seeing" is random firings of the cones and rods, I would expect the pattern to stay spatially in the same place no matter how I moved my eyes. But instead, the patterns track as I my eyeballs move. So what that tells me is that the brain correlates the position of ones eyes with the image, it's not just where the light is striking your cones and rods, but where you are looking as well. Which, in the long run, makes sense, but it's weird. On the other hand, maybe it's really late and I'm just being silly. Marc

                                      Will work for food. Interacx

                                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • L Lost User

                                        Thanks for the link - but I prefer drugs :) On the Dark Matter front, that's something I really don't understand. Surely any matter not in a star is, effectively, dark matter - so it's not missing, we just can't see it!

                                        ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                        M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Mladen Jankovic
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Problem (as far as I know) with dark matter is that there is A LOT more of it then visible matter, on the other hand dark energy is even more mysterious force that accelerates expansion of universe until it rips off everything.

                                        [Genetic Algorithm Library]

                                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • M Mladen Jankovic

                                          Problem (as far as I know) with dark matter is that there is A LOT more of it then visible matter, on the other hand dark energy is even more mysterious force that accelerates expansion of universe until it rips off everything.

                                          [Genetic Algorithm Library]

                                          L Offline
                                          L Offline
                                          Lost User
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Mladen Jankovic wrote:

                                          LOT more of it then visible matter

                                          that's what I don't understand. A planet the size of jupiter could be sitting outside our solar system and if it's not orbiting a star, then we would have no way of knowing it was there - so wouldn't it explain this dark matter if there were just a bunch of planets lying about out there?

                                          ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                          M 1 Reply Last reply
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