Why can't blindfolded people walk in a straight line - QI 9x12

[CrissCross407]

Can't see where they're going. NEXT QUESTION. haha <3 Alan

[rorrt]

Youtuber extraordinaire, Benarthur was the one who did the rotoscope animation that they showed.

I would advise everyone to view the whole animation. As it reflects almost exactly what Jack Dee says, about returning to the point where you started from.

[metalgearsolid19]

If you think about the theory of being lost in the desert that you'll walk in circles because your stronger in one leg can't this be used in this theory ?

[sophocrat]

@metalgearsolid19 Yeah that's most probably it.

[donnythedingo]

It happens because people tend to put their weight on one foot (usually the right) while "swinging" the other. When you can see where you are going, you automatically correct your heading by swinging father to the left. If you can't see, however, your swinging foot will push you to the right slightly with each step.

[TomFynn]

How *do* you blindfold amoebas?

[sciences8]

@TomFynn

You blind them. He took out their photoreceptors.

[TomFynn]

@sciences8 Amoebas have photoreceptors? You live and learn. Thanks for the Quite Interesting info.

[sciences8]

@TomFynn

I actually made an error- the official name for the photoreceptors of an Amoeba is the "eyespot apparatus".

Photoreceptors generally apply to cells that sense light, not organelles (but same concept).

[TomFynn]

@sciences8 Well, it's still Quite Interesting :)

[verticalsmurf]

Why doesn't this happen to blind people?

[PointsofData]

When I'm blindfolded/can't see and am trying to walk, I feel like the ground underneath my feet is very curved and that I'm going to fall over. :P