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A comment on Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life. Parent comment

Re:Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic sy... by a9h74j on Wednesday July 28, 2021 @06:55PM (#27990806)
I always remember the term 'eidetic' and always think I am misremembering the correct term, but it is "eidetic imagery" I am searching for. To me this refers to the phenomenon of seeing above-threshold-of-perception patterns or motions, such as lava-like swirling. As you say, such things can be interesting for a time.

This following link discusses the phenomenon in terms of phosphenes:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-do-i-see-patterns-when-i-...

Arguably, there have been spiritual movements fueled by relative ignorace around these things, with gurus allegedly claiming that they enable these unexpected experiences for their disciples.

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Re:Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic sy... by Izkata on Wednesday July 28, 2021 @08:22PM (#27991374)
> with gurus allegedly claiming that they enable these unexpected experiences for their disciples

I can voluntarily cause a burst of those color patterns by, after closing my eyes, relaxing all my facial muscles and letting my eyes go unfocused. Works best when trying to fall asleep, so I can imagine people unintentionally doing the same during, say, meditation and correlating it with their spiritual leader.

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Re:Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic sy... by a9h74j on Wednesday July 28, 2021 @08:37PM (#27991477)
A sort of natural prior is that when you close your eyes, it must be black, right? But it is not, as you observe.

A sociologist who studied the spiritual cultures concluded there were many conformity-related behaviors at work. Oh, yea, I had the experience.

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Re:Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic sy... by throwawaycuriou on Thursday July 29, 2021 @01:05AM (#27992945)
I think I get phosphenes and never had the word for it. I can more or less elicit them on demand by closing my eyes, relax and let them cross slightly. A stroby concentric circle set ensues for a few seconds. Always the same pattern. Red.
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