Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. And we've known about it for quite a while.
Leonardo da Vinci, for example, described seeing characters in natural markings on stone walls, which he believed could help inspire his artworks. And in the 1950s, the Bank of Canada had to withdraw a series of banknotes because people saw a grinning devil leaping from the curls of the Queen's hair.
However, pareidolia can be really fun, too. Just look at this list of photos from Bored Panda. At first glance, it looks like a seemingly casual batch of veggies and fruits. But a closer examination will reveal they have "become" something else. Enjoy!
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After Stewing In His Emotions, Emo Veg Comes To The Conclusion That The Root Of The World's Problems Is That People Don't Seem To Carrot All
This Tomato Looks Like A Duck
Sometimes, an abnormal look can make fruits and veggies land in the bin. Of course, food waste exists across the food supply chain due to pests and mold, poor climate control, and household waste, but imperfect produce is often turned away by grocery stores for not meeting strict cosmetic standards as well, making up around 40% of total food waste.
Philip Behn, the CEO of Imperfect Foods, a company that is on a mission to eliminate food waste, told Forbes that there are many reasons this could happen: "It could be a small quirk in appearance based on shape, size, or color that has no impact on flavor or nutrition. Beyond produce, perfectly good grocery items often go to waste for similarly illogical reasons. Grocers won't purchase or stock goods that are close to expiration or going through packaging changes, regardless of quality."
Alien Pickle
The Evolved Radish
Reducing food loss has been identified as one of the most effective ways to improve food security – an increasingly important challenge as the global population continues to grow. Plus, food waste also hugely contributes to global warming and our carbon footprint.
But ugly food is fighting back. More and more companies are selling ugly produce and using it in their products, reversing the fate of discarded monstrosities to delicious, perfectly edible, and nutritious food.
The ugly produce movement also has the potential to pass lower prices onto customers.
So if you stumble upon a radish that resembles a foot — buy it. You'll be doing your part.
Going To Have To Eat This Chicken As It Hasn't Laid A Single Bloody Egg Yet
This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today
Baked Potato
She Thought He Did Not Carrot All, But He Bought Her 21-Carrot Ring
Foot Shaped Radish Goes On Display
Naughty Pears
Farmer: 'So I was walking in the orchard and kept hearing moans but there was nobody there except me. No idea what was going on".
Kawaii Gourd
This Banana Looks Exactly Like My Mom's Dog
The Goddess Lives
That's A Sweet Beartato
This Onion Looks Like An Angry Bird
F**k You Too, Broccoli
This Tomato That Grew In Our Garden Is Shaped Like A Butterfly
This Yam Looks Like A Human Hand
Are you sure it's not?! I'd be pretty freaked out to dig that up!!
This Pumpkin In Our Garden Split And It Looks Like It Has Teeth
An Exceptionally Suave And Sophisticated Daikon Radish
This Potato Looks Like A Seal
This Strawberry Looks Like A Butterfly
Let Us Out
Hmmm
Best Eggplant Ever
The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel
I Thought This Gourd Looked Like A Snail
when you ignore the green part, and look at the yellow one, it looks like Sid the Sloth from Ice age.... or is it just me? https://images.app.goo.gl/EFXnb2GoJF35dbiA7
This Purple Carrot Looks Like A Bartender Ready To Take Your Drink Order And Listen To Your Troubles
I Thought There Was A Severed Finger In My Fruit Bowl. It Was Just Some Ginger
You can't fool us! I know how a severed finger looks like when I see one! .... *cough* cause I've seen them in movies. In movies, yes.