Carl Zimmer's Science Tattoo Emporium

Filling In The World's Gaps

JC writes, "The broken triangle is an illustration of the Gestalt law of closure. The law of closure demonstrates how the mind creates wholes out of parts - and a world out of sensory information - by "filling in the gaps." Although I'm no longer a professional social scientist, the law is a useful one in the realm of public policy where I'm currently employed. Personally, I use it as a reminder to stay humble, because you never know how much of the world you're making up as you go along."

Necker Cube

Caspar writes, "I am a developmental psychologist specializing in infant cognition and once dated a auditory neuroscientist. We knew we would hit off when on our very first date we both agreed that the Necker cube, as well as being one of the most psychologically profound optical illusions there is, would make an excellent tattoo. So on our fourth date, we went and got matching copies.You see it happening here: www.loadofold.com/ade/necker1.html
We didn't stay together very much longer but both still love our tattoos. Especially, showing them off at conferences.