Do the Worm

I absolutely love this Visa commercial (click on the “recycling” video link). Besides being funny, it’s also a good example of an illusion of motion, stroboscopic motion. This is the principle behind flip books and movies, in which a series of still pictures appear to be in motion when presented in rapid succession. I know that the flip book in this commercial is computer-generated, but it’s entertaining nonetheless.

EDIT 8/14/06: Unfortunately, the link has changed, as this commercial is no longer on the air. I’ll look for a YouTube link or something (or can someone point me in the direction of where I might find this video?). Also, I think this is really interesting that so many people are searching for “do the worm” online that now this post is the #3 result on Google and is far and away the most popular post on this blog. Do that many people really want to know how to do the worm? I should start teaching classes and make myself some money to get through grad school on.

EDIT 8/18/06: Here’s the link to YouTube. Seeing this commercial again reminds me that it’s nearly impossible for me not to smile and bob my head to this.

Pour Me Another, Bartender

This study made the news in December of 2005, right before New Year's Eve. However, I also had a real life example of adults' problems with conservation just last night.

The scene: The hip Skylark Diner in Edison, New Jersey.

I was having a late dinner last night with a male companion, his friend, and the friend's girlfriend. We ordered a round of drinks before ordering our food. My male companion ordered a Paulaner hefeweizen, and when the server brought the drinks around, his beer was in a tall, skinny glass that looked like it was meant for frou-frou frozen drinks. Defending his manhood, he refused to drink out of that particular type of glass, and the server obligingly went back to the bartender to pour the beer into a regular pint glass.

While she was gone, we all debated over whether or not the amount in the tall, skinny glass was actually going to fit into a pint glass. It certainly didn't look like it would. My male companion got up from the table and consulted with a server that he knew, who swore up and down that the two types of glasses each held an equal amount of liquid. We didn't get a chance to try it out ourselves, but three of us at the table still remained skeptical (myself included).

Interesting that the basic ability of conservation can still be difficult for adults. What would Piaget say?

Make It Happen

Although this commercial is intended as a humorous look at the bureaucracy surrounding corporate decisions, it's actually a really good illustration of Latane & Darley's five decision points in helping behavior.

RBS "Bogdownavitch" commercial

To refresh your memory, the points are:

• noticing
• defining an emergency
• taking responsibility
• planning a course of action
• taking action

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

CNN has a new article today: Sometimes anticipation isn't so sweet.

Go read it and get it over with already!