Pareidolia

“Do you really believe that the moon only exists if you look at it?" -- Albert Einstein

Oct 31, 2025

“The eighth blot of the w:Rorschach inkblot test,” by Hermann Rorschach (Source: *Test de Rorschach*). Posted on Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.

Pareidolia

I’ve always had an overactive imagination… at least that’s what everyone’s always told me. My brain doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to, either, again according to everyone else. But that doesn’t really matter anymore. I tried to warn her, but she wouldn’t listen and now she’s gone.

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” I say of course it does. Even Albert Einstein agreed, once asking, “Do you really believe that the moon only exists if you look at it?” Apparently he got in trouble with other physicists for saying that, but I think he was right. Just because you can’t see it doesn't mean it’s not there.

I could see things that nobody else could see for as long as I can remember. That’s part of the reason everyone always said I had an overactive imagination. I saw people and animals walking around in my room when I was a little kid. They said they were “night terrors,” perfectly normal, just my imagination running away with me. I can see things when I close my eyes: Animals, plants, people, whole scenes, all in moving color, like having a TV in my head. I didn't really start worrying about that one until I got older. I couldn't afford a doctor, so I checked with Dr. Google, and discovered that these things had a name, too: “Closed eye hallucinations.” Mine are Level 4 CEV, apparently, rare, but normal, though most people can’t see stuff like that unless they are in a deep meditative state or high on drugs. I can see all kinds of cool stuff when I close my eyes, even when I’m stone cold sober.

When I started seeing random pictures in the tile floor, I got curious ( worried) again, so once more I paid a visit to Dr. Google and learned that this particular super power has a fancy name: Pareidolia. I saw all kinds of creatures in the tiles: Animals, people, and things I couldn't describe, just weird and scary THINGS. But according to Doc G, pareidolia is yet another weird, but perfectly normal phenomenon. So I stopped worrying about it and just enjoyed the show. Until the things — especially the THINGS — started moving. That’s when I told my housemate. But she couldn’t see anything. She said I was nuts. Maybe I was, but I decided to continue not to worry about it. Until the THINGS climbed out of the tiles and started wandering around the apartment.

I stopped sleeping. I had to or the THINGS would attack me. They got my roommate. She wouldn’t listen. She just kept telling me that I was crazy, that there was nothing there. If you can’t see what’s cutting you, do you bleed? If you can’t hear your tormentors, can you hear yourself scream? Yes. Of course. I’m pretty sure that she’s dead. I sealed up her room with duct tape as best I could, but the THINGS don’t care. They go where they want. I wish I could just leave, but it would do no good. The THINGS are everywhere, and they are all out to get me. When I am gone, the THINGS will still be here. So be careful. Be very careful. What? You think I’m paranoid? Do you really believe they don’t exist because you don’t see them? The moon will still remain, long after I am gone. They are here, even if you can't see them. For God’s sake, just be careful.