Does Facebook 'See Things' too?

A Ghostly Face?

Most of us will have seen faces in the clouds, in tree canopies and suchlike. We're wired to see and recognise faces from infancy. As adults it can be fun gazing up at little fluffy clouds. As for paranormal instances, it makes accepting that fuzzy or blurred photograph in the dark as a legitimate capture of a disembodied person more difficult. I want to believe but please make the grounds for the substance of that belief credible, reliable.

At The Crewe Heritage Centre I had a customer take this photograph (enlarged for perspective) in the North Signal Box. My brain definetly recognises a very distinct face with numerous features. I think "wow! it's really something!". Then I think "Hang on, there's a zig-zaggy light trail to the left. This is just the brain interpreting something vague and fuzzy as a face".

This is known technically as a pareidolia. A fascinating phenomenon, but quite natural. Disappointingly explains away many hoped for paranormal piccies.

Is this a picture of a spirit or entity hanging around the signal box? Or something quite rational? There's a choice to be made - a choice of "What will I believe?". You can try sitting on the fence, which is my most adopted posture, but believe you me, it's not the most comfortable. I also frequently find myself slipping off the fence more on to one side than the other, before jumping back up on the fence. I want to believe, but...

Faint face in (front of?) the curtain

Now, since Facebook has introduced facial recognition technology, I've noticed that occasionaly when it prompts you to tag friends and faces, it will see something which has hitherto remained unnoticed.

Following a recent event in a pub, when I uploaded the pics to Facebook, it prompted me "Who's in These Photos?". Among them was a faint face either in, or in front of the curtain. Love it! But is Facebook using the same kind of criteria for face detection as humans, but with it being driven by computer software, it's even more obsessive and accurate about it than we are?

I'm quite a sucker for cemeteries too. Reviewing some older photos of mine of cemeteries in Edinburgh, I popped them up for a few friends to see. This was the first time I'd noticed Facebook asking to tag a face which actually wasn't there.

Besides the depictions of Memento Mori, Cherubs, Angels, Abraham Lincoln (yes, really - albeit pre-Vampire hunter days), there is a small face apparent over a gravestone carving. I've got other examples which Facebook has flagged up to me, but these remain the best to show at the resolution generated.

What do you think? Do you have any good strange faces and likenesses to share which might be paranormal or pareidolial?

All the images used here will go larger when clicked on.

Copyright Tim Prevett, History and Mystery Tours. Heritage Walks and Ghost Tour details HERE.

More than a Fender Bender

Heading down to Chimney Rock, we had several minutes queueing in traffic. As we edged closer, a haulage truck had overturned, shedding its load of gravel. One of those moments when you are thankful for not being too close to an accident. I think this was the I40.

Photos, Words and Memories from 2 trips and 3 months in the USA. Based mainly near Asheville in North Carolina.

Jack of the Wood, Asheville

Some Downtown Asheville. And about time too. Several hours later after a drive back to Asheville and a Cherokee Circle, it was time for Jack of the Wood on Patton Ave.This was my favourite pub, and about as close as I had to a regular while Stateside. Brilliant pub, often live music, themed on a romanticised US perception of celtic culture, but very homely for it. Good ale too. Bumped into a few folk here who had been walking the Appalachian Way. Good vibes, good memories.

While writing this I just had the realisation that an additional 'f' in "Jack of the Wood" substantially alters its meaning. Ooer.

The pub's website is here.

Photos, Words and Memories from 2 trips and 3 months in the USA. Based mainly near Asheville in North Carolina.

Imported from England

Says it all! After respective climbing and belaying duties on Looking Glass Rock, it was time to responsibly enjoy some ale in the sun and wilderness. Newcastle Brown Ale, incase you're wondering.

Photos, Words and Memories from 2 trips and 3 months in the USA. Based mainly near Asheville in North Carolina.

Well, hello up there!

While belaying below and communing with the rock, some moments communing with the rockface above were had too. Is this a common practice for climbers? Spock did say in Star Trek IV to "become one with the rock". Sunshine, blue sky and ancient granite. Wonderful. Just remember to do your job, or someone could get hurt!

Photos, Words and Memories from 2 trips and 3 months in the USA. Based mainly near Asheville in North Carolina.

Looking Glass Rock Vibes

Well, a few hours later we'd arrived around the backside of Looking Glass Rock for a hike and for me to belay while some rock climbing was done. Brand new experience for me, and stuff climbing for me... feet on terra firma, please!

I don't know about tree hugging, but being in contact with the rock was good. A mass of 390 million year old granite mountain which would have become a volcano had it not cooled prematurely. A place of connecting with the ground beneath and in front. Understandably popular with rock climbers, then.

Photos, Words and Memories from 2 trips and 3 months in the USA. Based mainly near Asheville in North Carolina.