Do you believe in what you see or see what you believe? This is the question put forward by Joseph Jastrow, the famous American psychologist from the 1980 s. He was particularly popular for ambiguous drawings and optical illusions including the duck-rabbit. From our eyes to our brain, these images can play tricks on our mind. Here are 26 surprising optical illusions as proof!

1/ Rabbit or duck?

What do you see a duck or a rabbit? Perhaps you see both… TheAmerican psychologist, Joseph Jastrow must have confused more than one of his patients!

2/ Spirals that make you dizzy!

Do you see spirals? However there aren’t any really!

3/ An old man or people?

Do you see an old man with white hair or two people stopped under a porch? This painting by Octavio Ocampo can leave you confused!

4/ Fixed or moving?

No it isn’t a moving GIF image.. The proof can be seen with it’s .jpg extension!

5/ Penrose Triangle

The Penrose Triangle and its impossible line was conceived by the mathematician of the same name.

6/ Fixed or moving?

Are the leaves blowing in the wind? This image isn’t moving even if it looks like it is!

7/ How many faces do you see?

Do you see different faces in this picture?

8/ What size is the orange circle?

Look closely at the orange circle. It actually doesn’t change size at all!

9/ A waterfall or a pilgrimage?

A torrent of pilgrims in the bright morning sun!

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As a child, your parents will constantly tell you that you are unique and wonderful.  This is a general tactic to help boost our self confidence when we are younger. Although every child is unique, some children can boast about having even more unique characteristics!  Here are 11 children who have exceptional physical features or extraordinary mental capacities.

1/ Johncris Carl Quirante, The child with 300 teeth

This young nine year old Filipino child has a very rare condition as he has lots more teeth than an average person.  However he doesn’t just have a couple extra back teeth!  Johncris was born with more than 200 teeth (300 to be exact!). Luckily for the young boy, his mother managed to raise enough money to carry out an operation to remove the excess teeth.  For the boy’s mouth to get back to normal, the poor boy had to undergo no less than seven surgical operations…

2/ Muin Bachonaev, the child with 5 cm long eyelashes

Muin is an eleven year old boy with very unusual eyelashes.  His long lashes measure up 5 cm long with some even touching his cheeks.  Many girls will sure to be envious of his natural doe-eyed look.  However nothing interests Muin more than playing football which is probably just as well!

3/ Ava Clarke, White child born to black parents

Ava Clarke is born to black African parents but has very few characteristics of her parents accept her mother’s curly hair.  Her blonde hair, porcelain white skin and pearly eyes gives her a very unusual look. In fact, due to her exceptional beauty, this little girl is one of the most popular child models.  However Ava’s unusual features is due to a rare genetic illness.  She has albinism which means she lacks melanin.  However this deficiency has almost cost her her eyesight.

4/ Elise Tan Roberte with an IQ of 156

Elise is the most intelligent little girl in the world.  Her IQ of 156 is just below Einstein’s by a few points (160).  Elise spoke her first words at the age of five months, started walking at eight and ran at ten months.  At the age of 16 months she could read her name and count up to ten.  At the age of 2 she could count up to ten in Spanish and knew all the names of the capital cities in the world.  Will she become the next genius?

5/ Charlotte Garside, who is no bigger than a rabbit

When Charlotte Garside was born she weighed only 500 g and measured 25 centimetres… Doctors told her parents she had a very rare illness called primordial dwarfism. According to doctors Charlotte would only live to the age of one or two years old in the best case scenario.  However doctors were mistaken as the young girl has just celebrated her sixth birthday.  However Charlotte, who is no bigger that a rabbit, is very fragile and daily activities can be more challenging.

6/ Millianna Worthy with bi-coloured hair

Millianna is a little girl like every other little girl.  The only difference that distinguishes her from average children is her bi-coloured hair: a tuft of white hair among her dark black locks.  The particular genetic characteristic goes back two generations before her.  In scientific terms this characteristic is called an achromotrichia or an absence of pigmentation in the hair. This anomaly is often accompanied by vitiligo, as is the case with Milliana.  However the little girl pulls off her two coloured skin just as much as her hair.

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South Korean manages to mix ancient traditions with the world’s latest high tech equipment with astonishing results.  For example the have a driven work ethic in built into their culture with some school classes not finishing until ten o’clock at night… Here are some of strange South Korean custom that are part of normal everyday life for the country’s inhabitants!

1/ Churches in South Korea offer free dentist and hairdresser appointments to their most devote worshipers church goers

About four times per year, some churches offer their most devote church goers free hairdresser or dentist appointments. Do they think pampering their congregation will help keep them for longer? Strangely, some churches also hand out freebies to promote the church such as hand wipes! Goodies aren’t just for businesses in South Korea!

2/ Pregnant women receive 500 dollars and an identification accessory for accessible seating in the metro

Pregnant women from South Korea receive a bank card credited with 500 dollars and a special accessory to identify them in the metro. This system allows pregnant women to take a more accessible rose coloured seat. Pregnant women also have reserved parking in front of public buildings similar to disabled places. These places can be used up to six months after giving birth. Is this an incentive to start a family?

3/ An official law imposes office employees to switch off their computer on Friday night

Work addiction is very common in South Korea. So as to improve employees work life balance, the government has voted for a law to combat this addiction to work. They now impose office employees to switch off their computer on Friday night. The only problem is not all Koreans are happy about this new law…

4/One or several rolls of toilet paper is an excellent gift for a flat warming

South Koreans like to offer and receive gift, as long as they are useful and can be used. If you are going to a flat warming, rolls of toilet roll will be highly appreciated!

5/ Many couples wear identical outfits

It is common to see couple over the age of twenty wearing matching twin outfits! Couples like to show their lover to the world. In fact some shops sell matching outfits especially for lovebirds.

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Spring has sprung! This season is filled with vibrant colour and delightful smells. City streets and countryside landscapes are transformed into an Impressionist artist’s masterpieces. It is the perfect time to wander city streets soaking in the scents and colours above you. Here are 15 colourful streets that will immerse you in the magic of spring, filled with glorious smells and colours.

1/ Flower-filled streets of Grafton, Australia

A tree archway adorned with purple flowers when you can take refuge.

2/ Stockholm, Sweden

In the Swedish capital, cherry blossom adds a fairy tale feel to city-dwellers’ daily life.

3/ Taiwan

A road lined with perfectly aligned trees to delight passersby, regardless who they are…

4/ Valence, Spain

A colourful archway takes over the roads of Valence, spreading the fragrant smell of holidays!

5/ Cullinan, South Africa

We already smell the delicate smells of these entangled wisteria trees!

6/ Molyvos, Lesbos, Greece

A giant wisteria tree takes over the flower-filled streets of Lesbos in Greece, letting locals and visitors alike shelter from the sun under a fragrant parasol.

7/ Positano, Italy

An immense pergola shelters visitors to this Italian city from the burning sun.

8/ Colourful streets of Spello, Italy

In the Italian city of Spello you can stumble across flower filled streets to your great delight.

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Nowadays, there is no need to wait in line at the cinema to buy your tickets, wake up extra early to check in for an early flight or struggle to find your hotel in an unknown city… These are just some of the positive aspects of smartphones and their multitude of apps.  Let’s take a look at 11 strange but practical apps that can help you get through daily life.  Watch out you might be downloading some after you have read this article!

1/ Glimmer, An app that wakes you up gradually

Does the painful sound of your alarm that jolts you awake every morning get on your nerves? You can get up more peacefully with the French app called Glimmer which is free and available on Android.  It wakes you up gradually by respecting your sleep cycles.  The concept of the app is simple.  You can chose a photo that is soothing, a beautiful countryside for example, and then regulate your integrated alarm.  The next morning, instead of being briskly awoken, your phone will gradually start to glimmer light.  Your phone is basically simulating the sun coming up, telling you it is time to get up!

Glimmer, is a free app, available on Android and on tablets.

2/ Olio, App to prevent food waste

Olio is a social application that helps to prevent food waste by connecting communities so they can share food.  It aims to connect neighbours and business who have food that will otherwise go to waste with people willing to take the food off their hands.  This innovative start-up is a fantastic example of small steps being a great way to make a difference to our planet.  If you love food but hate wasting food you haven’t had time to eat, then this is the app for you.  By downloading this app you can not only reduce food waste but start to connect with your local community in a fun and different way.

Olio, Free application available on the AppleStore and Google Play.

3/ FidMe, way to have all your loyalty cards in one place

This is a virtual card purse that allows you to store all your loyalty cards in one place.  All you need to do is scan your card, whether it is for Tesco, Sainsburys or Subway.  This way you no longer need to whip out a hundred and one cards.  All you need is your smartphone!  Your purse will feel a great deal lighter now that it is all stored on your phone!

FidMe, is a free application for smartphones and tablets.

4/ iNap@Work, app that allows you to sleep at work

Did last night tired you out?  Do you fancy taking a nap at work without leaving your desk.  Well you can do this with the app iNap@Work!  This will become your best friend after a mid-week night out!  This clever app recreates the sound of clicking sounds and your mouse as well as rustling papers to make it sound like you are working hard!  Could this work in an open plan office?

iNap@Work, free application available on iOS.

5/ AirPnp, is an app that will relieve your bladder in no time

Air PnP is the Airbnb for toilets.  Do you often have a pressing need to go to the toilet but you are in the middle of town with know idea where the nearest toilets are? You can be hosted by people who rent out their toilet for a modest sum depending on its state of cleanliness and luxury products.  This strange app, created by Americans with small bladders, should please those drinkers of beer or coffee…

AirPnp, free app available on iOS.

6/ Marco Polo, app to help you find your phone

Are you constantly looking for your telephone? You can get the fun Marco Polo app which will help you to find you precious smartphone in no time.  All you need to do is cry out “Marco” in a clear loud voice and your telephone will respond with “Polo”!  A great way to relocate your phone without needing access to another phone to call it!

Marco Polo, Paying app, available on smartphones and tablets.

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]]> https://thewonderlist.net/incredible-gravity-defying-sculptures/ Wed, 24 Apr 2019 07:37:18 +0000 https://thewonderlist.net/?p=7221 Gravity defying sculptures create cool artistic illusions that delight viewers, asking them to question how such a structure can stay in place.  Take a look at 14 creative sculptures which defy the laws of gravity!  The world is full of creative and talented people who are capable of recreating the beauty that surrounds them.  They […] More

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]]> Gravity defying sculptures create cool artistic illusions that delight viewers, asking them to question how such a structure can stay in place.  Take a look at 14 creative sculptures which defy the laws of gravity! 

The world is full of creative and talented people who are capable of recreating the beauty that surrounds them.  They are able to create from their imagination extraordinary sculptures, monuments or structures.  Some creations seem deprived of logic or contradict laws of physics.  Thanks to mysterious technical tricks some objects look like they are floating in the air.  We can only imagine the time and talent it has taken to create these spectacular, gravity defying sculptures.

1/ An infinite staircase heading to the sky, David MacCracken

Australian artist, David McCrackan is the man behind this incredible staircase leading to the sky. The impressive, aluminium sculpture, called Diminish and Ascend, can be seen in Bondi, Australia. It was proudly featured at Australia’s Sculpture by the Sea festival.

2/ Ball that floats in the air, Norton Flavel

Norton Flavel, already the creator of a popular sculpture called the Giant Bag, surprises viewers again with a gravity defying, oversized ball and chain. Called Lucky Country, this sculpture also participated in the Australian festival Sculpture by the Sea.

3/ Defying the laws of gravity, Emil Alzamora

This bronze athlete has plenty flexibility! Emil Alzamora’s beautiful sculpture is erected in an American park.

4/ Expert tightrope walker, Jerzy Kedziora

Jerzy Kedziora’s magnificent sculpture certainly defies the laws of gravity!

5/ Flash, Gerry Judah

The English artist Gerry Judah installed his impressive, gravity defying sculpture during the Goodwood festival, a racing car festival in Sussex combining modern and old cars.

6/ The final move, Leandro Erlich

In Karlsruhe’s market place in Germany, the Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich surprised passerby and locals alike with this large scale installation!

7/ A magic elephant, Daniel Firman

In the Palais de Fontainebleau you can see a giant elephant like you’ve never seen before! Daniel Firman continues to defy the laws of gravity with Würsa, the life-sized elephant sculpture.

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]]> https://thewonderlist.net/unusual-physical-characteristics/ Tue, 23 Apr 2019 09:04:30 +0000 https://thewonderlist.net/?p=7214 Although we are all human, we are not all created the same.  In fact some of us have some unusual physical characteristics and constitutions that are quite different from the rest.  Some people are born with differences that very few of the world’s population are gifted with. Everyone in the world is unique.  Depending on […] More

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]]> Although we are all human, we are not all created the same.  In fact some of us have some unusual physical characteristics and constitutions that are quite different from the rest.  Some people are born with differences that very few of the world’s population are gifted with.

Everyone in the world is unique.  Depending on where we come from we don’t have the same culture, way of living and physical characteristics.  However some people have developed very unusual qualities that few people are gifted with.  Here are ten unique characteristics that only 5% of the population can boast about having!

1/ Golden Blood

Very few people have got “golden” blood… It does not means their blood is golden in colour.  In fact this term refers to the fact that their blood doesn’t contain antigens. Normally, the human body has around 342 antigens.  Of this number there are around 160 antigens common to everyone.  If a person does not have these antigens then there blood is certainly unusual.  What is more these blood donors are really sought after as they can give their blood to anyone.

2/ A Double Line of Eyelashes

Distichiasis is a rare genetic disorder in which a person has a double line of eyelashes for the price of one.  This is great if you want to save money on mascara… The American actress Elizabeth Taylor was gifted with this unusual physical quality!

3/ Such dense bones they won’t break in a road accident

Apparently only 5% of people have more solid (or dense) bones than others due to a mutation of the LRP5 gene. These bones are so strong that they can even resist a road accident. However having such strong bones can have its negative side effects… The excessive bone growth can develop pressure of the nerves and  brain and in the worst case scenario can even lead to hearing loss.

4/ Another hole in your ear

This extra hole, which looks identical to an earing, is in fact a congenital atrial fistula.  The orifice appears in the mother’s womb during the development of the fetus. This physical peculiarity apparently only affects 5% of people worldwide, with less than 1% of them in the United States. According to scientists, this hereditary hole comes from the gills of our ancestors.

5/ Almost no sign of cholesterol regardless of what you eat

Some lucky people can eat burgers all day long without any fear of increasing their cholesterol levels. This is of course not a reason to eat fast food all day long but it does mean that their risk of developing a heart related illness reduces by about 90%!  This rare genetic mutation is caused by a lack of gene PCSK9 copies.  

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