I thought I’m good at modulating my visual perception (old comment on LW). I got a lot of practice at a meditation retreat and can without much effort turn off shapes (I call it the blank stare) and faces (more difficult). But—and not uncharacteristically for me—I overlooked the effect of emotion on perception. I can very much confirm Logan’s observation that salient features change with different mental frames and emotional states. A piece of paper:
In default mode, the grid of the square paper is most prominent.
Settling into some tiredness it softens and becomes a boring piece of paper.
Being mindful, the paper and especially the numbers on it become unimportant.
In alert mode with a tint of anger, the text gets more contrast and my attention goes to the names on the paper.
In wide-angle mode, the border of the paper and the background become salient.
I thought I’m good at modulating my visual perception (old comment on LW). I got a lot of practice at a meditation retreat and can without much effort turn off shapes (I call it the blank stare) and faces (more difficult). But—and not uncharacteristically for me—I overlooked the effect of emotion on perception. I can very much confirm Logan’s observation that salient features change with different mental frames and emotional states. A piece of paper:
In default mode, the grid of the square paper is most prominent.
Settling into some tiredness it softens and becomes a boring piece of paper.
Being mindful, the paper and especially the numbers on it become unimportant.
In alert mode with a tint of anger, the text gets more contrast and my attention goes to the names on the paper.
In wide-angle mode, the border of the paper and the background become salient.