It's a particularly slow news night when all of a sudden, "Something amazing has happened! A women in Missouri has just found Jesus in her Cheetos!" You're intrigued, how could this be possible? On the news report they are astounded by "Cheesus". It's a sign from God they say, proof that he really exists. This is the point in the news article where I stop and think, coincidence or real life phenomenon?
While skimming chapter one, I had to pause at the part where the authors describe pareidolia. Pareidolia being, seeing meaningful images in meaningless visual stimuli. Like the example above, the media is bombarded with 'incredible images' of the spiritual world or anything that looks remotely interesting for that matter. I find pareidolia quite interesting because it really illustrates what the human brain is capable of. Why do we see images in inanimate objects? Is it because we find comfort in believing that there is a higher power out there shaping these objects into these particular forms? Or do we see images because we find creativity intriguing? The answers to these questions is what prompted me to want to learn more about pareidolia.
That's not a Cheeto, It's Jesus.
It is amazing when foods or other objects that represent meaningful symbols or people. I remember watching an episode of Arthur where Buster the Bunny becomes obsessed with a potato chip that looks like Abe Lincoln. In reality, some of these amazing pieces are auctioned and sold for tons of money. It is crazy how something the resembles a figure or person can be so important to someone to spend thousands of dollars on it.
Hah "Cheesus" is clever.
But i think that's how our brains work..they try to make sense of ciaos, making it easier to process information.