Infinite optical loop

[Scubapig]

If one were to somehow enable one of one's eyes to look into the other directly, what would happen? Would your head explode? Would it be like the trippy bit in Jacob's Ladder?

Which eye would you see?

[mikko]

The optic nerve is quite stretchy so it's an easy experiment to set up: pluck one orb out, tug on the nerves (being careful not to sever them completely) and point the dangly eye at the still-socketed one.

In the same way seeing yourself in the mirror doesn't fling you into a Dali-esque nightmare, the results will be disappointing: a blurry smudge of similar, but different, images.

Try crossing your eyes and looking at your nose instead. Same effect; less blood on your shoes.

[squarebear]

Surely, the left eye would see the right eye and vice versa?

[mikko]

Yes, squarebear. But my point about mirrors makes that unremarkable.

The more remarkable sight would be someone who's pointing one of their own eyes at the other one for no good reason.

That would make me run up the nearest ladder, whoever it belonged to.

[Coffeeman7]

Of course if you set up a webcam and screen then your right eye would be looking at your left and vice versa, though you'd have to find some way of putting the web cam behind the screen...

[Scubapig]

I'm going to try making my own 'eye looping' device with a length of flexible tubing, such as you might find on a vacuum cleaner, and some pieces of broken mirror I found down the back of the sofa. I'll Blutack them to the inside at various angles, creating a kind of '180 degree periscope'.

Should be at work though, really.

[Scubapig]

Which eye would you see though? Eh? Eh? Oh, it's no good saying 'one would see the other'. That's like saying you've got two brains. You're only just managing to keep one going, by the looks of it.

Still no real answers, 'bank' or otherwise. Have I blown your minds? Have I?

[swedeheart]

It's quite an interesting question but I suspect mikko has already given the correct answer.

I know what you're saying though Scubapig - when our brain perceives sensory information as conflicting it will "explode", and here's another experiment for you just to prove that point (and less blood on your shoes too lol mikko):

Place your middle finger over your index finger so that they form a cross. Place your nose inside the V-space which is formed between the tips of these two fingers (oh and leave your nose on your face I might add, no need to pull it off for this experiment, just bring your fingers up to where your nose is;-)

Now, slide your crossed fingers up and down the bridge of your nose, with your nose inside the angle that is formed by the tips of your fingers. How many noses can you feel? Spooky, huh.

[Scubapig]

I felt at least six.

[swedeheart]

(SPOILER: I suppose the middle finger "thinks" that everything it feels on its right side (provided you use your right hand) is in fact located to its right side, whereas the index finger "thinks" that anything it feels to its left is in fact located to its left - which, in the normal experience of a hand, would imply two different objects.)

[swedeheart]

Ha ha didn't see you there. But you feel two, right?

[squarebear]

"... That's like saying you've got two brains. You're only just managing to keep one going, by the looks of it..."

No need for abuse. One eye would see the other, simple as that. It's like crossing your eyes. You would just see a blurred image of each eye superimposed.

[swedeheart]

That's a bad scubapig. I missed that bit, squarebear.

[Scubapig]

I was joking. Not a deadly serious post, you might have noticed. Sorry for any offence caused.

Loving the answers. Except Mikko's, which are crap. Oops, sorry!

[SizzleSquid]

u lot are all nutters. ahaha!

[mikko]

Here's an optical experiment for you Scubapig:

Take two Galileo-era telescopes and hold them against your head such that the eye pieces rest lightly against your closed eyelids. Run into a wall very fast.

Experiment ends.

;-)

[Scubapig]

My eyes hurt.