Kevin's Watch

I just noticed they misspelled "reading".

Spirit of the Knight wrote:I wonder if that applies to all written languages? Interesting.

I don't know about ALL languages [certainly not Chinese and related ones..they don't even HAVE spelling, per se]
But it seems true of all languages that have alphabets. In fact, there's another odd/related example...in many mid-eastern and european languages, in the past, letters (especially vowels) were often intentionally left out in written documents, and could still be read just fine...and that's still true.
--Th nd f th wrld s w knw t.--
Another strange thing: Most people can read road signs before they can actually see the letters.

{{People who do research on reading come up with really weird ideas...some guys hanging around in a lab "Can you read me now"}}

Since we're wandering into related areas.

One thing I found fascinating. Take a list of words for colors, and color the words with the wrong colors. The surprise? It's easier to read the words fast than it is to say the names of the colors fast. Try it.

• red
  orange
  yellow
  blue
  purple
  black
  brown
  white

Supposedly, it proves that adults read words unconsciously, before even willing oneself to read them. IN fact, you can't NOT read words that you see. To the point that it could interfere with other cognition even.

Which is why I should have been a sign-maker.

That's awesome!

It sure works on me. I looked at the first word and said, "Red. No, wait. Urgh."

If you think about the fact that your senses take in lots of information which never crosses the attention threshold, it's enough to make one re-believe in subliminal messages. Apparently, if people flash words at you, you will read them without even thinking about it, and maybe without even noticing it. Cascading associations ensue. Next thing you know, you're wondering why you're eating popcorn.

Exactly, WF. Subliminal messages actually DO work, in a large-scale, statistical sense (that's why hot chicks and funny fat guys are in so many commercials...hell, it may be part of the reason so many people end up with unnecessary emergency room visits: they think that's how to live. How many tv shows are about regular checkups?...)
And then there's the adage "it's not what you say, it's how you say it."
Maybe there should be a "funny things about language" thread...there's a lot of strange stuff out there.
[lot's of weird stuff about aural things too..especially music/math/brain]

Not to turn this forum into a debate about subliminal messages (why do I always lie like that? ) but the truth of the matter is... wait, a bunch of guys in suits just broke in... No, you won't take me alive! Not this time! NOT THIS TIME!

Subliminal messages have been shown repeatedly to not be effective.

On the other hand, brand name recognition has been shown to be very effective at increasing sales. In fact, many political candidates don't even advertise their platforms anymore, and instead just flash pictures of their faces.

Rigel wrote:Subliminal messages have been shown repeatedly to not be effective.

On the other hand, brand name recognition has been shown to be very effective at increasing sales. In fact, many political candidates don't even advertise their platforms anymore, and instead just flash pictures of their faces.

I think we're using a different definition of subliminal. What you say is included in my definition, and works [whereas it's pretty thoroughly documented that flashing "buy popcorn" every 24th frame and that junk, doesn't work.]

This one works, I swear.

WF!!!

I don't know why, but I feel compelled to do this.

Jesus, I'm glad it was some kind of trick. For a minute I thought I had masturbated too much!