The Mathematics of Visual Illusions - Ian Stewart

Explore the fascinating world of visual illusions in this 50-minute Oxford Mathematics Public Lecture by Ian Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick. Delve into the puzzling phenomena that occur when the human visual system encounters ambiguous or incomplete information, leading to multistable figures and optical illusions. Discover how these perceptual quirks provide valuable insights into the workings of our visual system, and learn about recent research that has developed simplified, systematic models of how the brain makes decisions when faced with such ambiguities. From the Cat and Mouse illusion to the Impossible Escher, journey through a variety of captivating visual puzzles, including Fraser's Spiral, the Stoner Plaid Illusion, and the Spinning Dancer. Gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical principles underlying these illusions, exploring concepts such as Wilson Networks, Hopf Bifurcation, and the application of algorithms to interpret complex visual stimuli.