Adele’s Viral Optical Illusion Sparks Online Frenzy: The Thatcher Effect Explained
A peculiar photo of singer Adele has caused a massive stir online, leaving social media users baffled by a phenomenon known as the “Thatcher Effect.”
This mind-bending illusion makes it nearly impossible to notice altered facial features in upside-down photos—until the image is flipped upright, revealing unsettling distortions.
What Is the Thatcher Effect?
Named after late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the effect was first described in 1980 by Professor Peter Thompson from the University of York. Initially, it was thought to apply only to Thatcher’s face. Over time, researchers discovered it applies to almost everyone. Now, Adele’s face has become the latest viral example of this bizarre visual trick.
The Adele Illusion: A Viral Sensation
The image in question shows Adele’s face flipped upside down. At first glance, her features appear normal, albeit a little strange. However, the brilliance of the Thatcher Effect lies in its subtleties—her eyes and mouth are inverted but look relatively normal in the upside-down orientation.
When the image is flipped upright, the distortions become glaringly obvious, creating an eerie and unsettling transformation.
Why Does It Work?
The Thatcher Effect exploits the brain’s tendency to process faces holistically. When an image is flipped, the brain struggles to analyze individual features accurately, creating a false sense of normalcy. It’s only when the image is restored to its correct orientation that the distortions are clearly perceived.
Fascination and Discussion
Adele’s example has reignited curiosity around the Thatcher Effect, leading to widespread discussion and experiments among netizens. It’s a reminder of how our brains process visual information and the fascinating ways they can be tricked.
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