Have you ever looked at something that for inexplicable reasons burned itself into your brain? Like a composition, a combination of elements that seemed so fundamental that you simply could not forget about it? Most memories do end up lost or distorted, like tears in the rain, but in the age of the internet, we can now preserve these special moments.
We’ve gathered some interesting, or dare I saw important images from TheImageDeposit on Facebook, a group dedicated to sharing cool, funny, and unique pictures. It might be hard to place your finger on exactly why these pics are so evocative, but be sure to upvote your favorites and share your emotions in the comments.
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Pictures mimic the human gaze more than most other visual arts. From the position of the camera, generally at eye level to the clarity of the image, what we might call photorealistic to differentiate it from a painting or CGI, photographs have a way of embedding themselves into our brains. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found that certain elements can make one image more memorable than another.
This also works in reverse, as certain elements will actually ‘lower’ the importance of a picture in our mind. Mountains, trees, and the sky all seemed to decrease the probability that the research subject would retain the image for later. So sorry Tolkien enthusiasts, as important as nature is, our brains seem to prefer people, cars, and, for some reason, floors. This is in line with many of the pictures here, as most involve at least parts of a person or animals which we like to personify as ‘characters,’ in their own right.
While this might feel like it removes the magic of funny images, recent reviews of studies pertaining to what images our mind chooses to remember all indicate that it’s a pretty non-intuitive process. So our brains decide to take, for example, a picture of a girl with a banana in her nose or a heap of audio jacks all plugged together and retain it for reasons that scientists can’t actually understand. A nice part of being human is that we don’t need to understand something or its significance to enjoy it.
Mom always told me the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys
I love this so much it hurts. Our kitty we had when I was growing up was the sweetest, most tolerant cat ever. We used to dress her in doll clothes and put her in the doll carrier. She never once tried to bite or scratch us. Man, I miss that cat.
In fact, things we don’t quite understand or that we feel like we want more context about actually make certain images and visuals stand out. The MIT research paper found mountains, trees, and the sky negatively correlated with memory, most likely because most of us have a pretty good idea of what these things are. Mountains and the sky, famously, don’t change too much. One look and our brain has ‘resolved’ the picture. The same can be said for picturesque compositions of the sky or anything else your world-traveling friend is posting every other day.
Instead, these weird and funny pics really tickle our curiosity. What does that bear actually think about its plush toy and why does that golden can statue have such a massive arm? These questions compel us, cementing these pictures in our minds. In other words, an image is important because it raises questions. You’ve probably seen compilations like “pictures that need more context” or “images with a lot of stuff going on,” which all utilize this effect. So never sell your mind short, remember, it's a workaholic that would rather see a skateboard with fingerboards for wheels instead of a mountain vista.
Photographers, particularly ones who focus on nature, might be reading this and falling into despair. After all, who likes to learn that the focus of your profession is literally being blocked out by human memories? So here are some suggestions compiled by Scientific American to help protect your photography from becoming forgettable. Add a human, or at least try to get one in the frame. Preferably one moving around, since that seems to help our comprehension and retention. Human-scale objects are helpful as well, from cars to medium-sized bushes.
Pinecone, not teeth. We dodged a bullet there. You can relax, Pandas.
Travel photographers likely already know this. Sure, it's nice to make a pic of the Eiffel Tower just to have it, but there is always the knowledge that it’s one among thousands if not millions. Maybe you’ll do it at night, you might think. Wrong! It’s actually illegal, as its sparkling lights and decorations are protected by copyright. So it’s fine for your Instagram page, just don’t try to sell it. Travel photographers do let us see into countries and places most of us have never been but at the risk of allowing a foreigner with a camper to define the place.
Can we pause for a moment and applaud the original animators who created a person who looked like a typical "handsome" human but still was recognizable as Shrek? (Of course, I was happy when he went back to his lovable ogre self)
British sociologist John Urry calls this the ‘tourist gaze,’ where people and the places they inhabit are defined through the lens of the photographer. While perhaps less subjective than painting and other visual arts, photography still carries many of the preconceptions and biases of the person behind the camera. The photographer chooses the subject, the framing, and the angle. The viewer only sees what the photographer allows us to. So as important or truthful as an image might feel, it’s important to keep these ideas in mind.
The robot kitty has been fully charged and is now activated. Prepare the planet for takeover.
And that started the downfall of the great Clancey, huffing tortoises. It was sad, really.
Lol. In all seriousness, cement is really harsh in your skin, you should get the baby out fast
me: mom, can we have an airplane? mom: no. we have airplane at home the airplane at home
This dude actually injected Olive Oil into his muscles to bulge them out and then crowdfunded to get kit all removed because it's, duh, dangerous. There is no excuse for her eyebrows.
He also self-injected Vaseline. Madness. And all for Instagram hits.
Load More Replies...I had to look him up and he is known as the Russian Popeye. And he had to have life saving surgery, but has since reinjected himself. They look worse than in this picture and quite frankly look like tumors that are about to pop.
This is one of dudes that's injected his muscles with oil. So many men have died from doing this. As for this woman's "eyebrows" looks like she got boot polish and wanted a fringe but missed the mark. Mental health issues, poster couple.
I don’t know which one is worse. Honestly I can’t get past those eyebrows
As far as I am informed she won't die from her eyebrows wheras he has risked his life on those arms.
Load More Replies...I hear Einstein once said: Two things are limitless, the universe and human stupidity, though I am not sure about the universe.
Load More Replies...If you look closely.. she is crosseyed, the brows take the attention away from that. ''smart girl''
I thought that I had psychological problems... until I saw these two.
Let us guess: He jack off too much because she looks like a Daruma Ichi doll...
Uhhhh which am I looking at his arms or her eyebrows wtf
Isn't it nice they found each other. Like momma used to say "there's a lid for every pot".
Confusing to say the least. Matching biceps and eyebrows? whose are larger?
I would rather discuss HER EYEBROWS than his DEFORMED ARMS ... but both will give me nightmares for months!
Those poor two. They must have thought, that this would make them look better, and it did just the opposite.
You know your arms are too big if the gigantic eyebrows of the person next to you isn't the first thing someone notice.
I don't know what's more disturbing. The reverse "Pop Eye" arms or the Juggalette eyebrows.
When society says thick eyebrows and you comply to your hearts content
They are PERFECT for each other- may their love always be as big as his biceps and her eyebrows
If you dare to zoom in, you will realize that the "Asian Cleopatra from the Hell of High Brow and Low Taste" is also squinting, although that probably doesn't matter anymore in anyway, does it?
I’m guessing judging by their expressions that isn’t the only place he has had filler injected….
And next on the people who don’t realize we’re laughing at them, not with them, we have forehead brows and bubble arms
He's also had face "procedures" since this photo. His lips are on the verge of popping as well.
Not tumors. Stupid people inject their arms with Synthol , a very dangerous oil derivative giving the ridiculous illusion of steroid induced muscles.
here's an upvote not sure why somebody's down voting these comments
Load More Replies...but how does he put his shirt on?? there's no way those sleeves stretch this much
here's an upvote not sure why somebody's down voting these comments
Load More Replies...Those abscesses need to be drained, followed by an intensive course of antibiotics.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Forthop.washington.edu%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FPortals%2F21%2FLiveContent%2F8361%2FImages%2Ffigure1.jpg&tbnid=sgdNYWSwgi4Y-M&vet=12ahUKEwj22b-Qqp7-AhX3KN4AHTbLDkgQMygaegUIARDYAQ..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Forthop.washington.edu%2Fpatient-care%2Farticles%2Foncology%2Fsoft-tissue-masses.html&docid=RZhXafgPPVHWrM&w=400&h=533&q=tumor%20arms&hl=en-US&safe=active&ved=2ahUKEwj22b-Qqp7-AhX3KN4AHTbLDkgQMygaegUIARDYAQ
Note: this post originally had 91 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Not related, but does anyone know why the DIY, Challenge, and Ask Pandas categories aren’t listed anymore?
She's there. This listicle has been shortened to the top 50 from the original 91. Click the link explaining the same thing to see the entire list (just after the last entry).
Load More Replies...The bridge photo is beautiful, but this list is nonsensical. I keep hearing that Sesame Street song, some of "these things are not like the other"...
Not related, but does anyone know why the DIY, Challenge, and Ask Pandas categories aren’t listed anymore?
She's there. This listicle has been shortened to the top 50 from the original 91. Click the link explaining the same thing to see the entire list (just after the last entry).
Load More Replies...The bridge photo is beautiful, but this list is nonsensical. I keep hearing that Sesame Street song, some of "these things are not like the other"...