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They’re in clouds, electric sockets and even on toast. Why do humans see faces in everyday objects?

Human brains are designed to detect faces as quickly as possible, which can lead to the perception of ‘false faces’ Faces: we see them in clouds, electrical outlets and even a $28,000 toasted sandwich said to look like…

1 report1 sourceApr 5, 2026, 3:00 PM
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The GuardianApr 5, 2026, 3:00 PM

They’re in clouds, electric sockets and even on toast. Why do humans see faces in everyday objects?

Human brains are designed to detect faces as quickly as possible, which can lead to the perception of ‘false faces’ Faces: we see them in clouds, electrical outlets and even a $28,000 toasted sandwich said to look like the Virgin Mary. Known as face pareidolia, seeing faces in inanimate objects or patterns of light and shadow is a common phenomenon. Continue reading...

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