We see what we expect to see

No surprise here[*1] :

Scientists at University College London[*2] have found the link between what we expect to see, and what our brain tells us we actually saw. The study reveals that the context surrounding what we see is all important — sometimes overriding the evidence gathered by our eyes and even causing us to imagine things which aren’t really there.

The paper reveals that a vague background context is more influential and helps us to fill in more blanks than a bright, well-defined context. This may explain why we are prone to ‘see’ imaginary shapes in the shadows when the light is poor.

There’s so very, very many ways you can go with this . . . from “Bush Lied” to seeing actual freedom-lovers in Hillary or Barack . . . to thinking that your team will win it all next year . . .