Remember back in 2018, when everyone was at each other’s throats over an audio clip that sounded like someone was saying ‘yanny’….or were they saying ‘laurel’? The whole thing became a heated, albeit short lived debate, but it appears those arguments are about to be reignited with a new divisive audio clip going viral on social media. Do you hear “brainstorm” or “green needle”?
The video shows someone pressing a light-up device that either spits out the phrase “green needle” or “brainstorm”. However, unlike the ‘yanny vs. laurel’ challenge, this audio clip relies solely on what phrase your brain chooses to hear.
For example, if you read the word “brainstorm” and try to hear it – you will. The same goes for “green needle”.
The video, which has had more than 7.5M views, has users completely stumped. One commented, “I’ve watched this 127 times and now I’m stuck on brainstorm,” while another added, “I’m disappointed by my manipulated brain.”
Then there are the viewers who are hearing something completely different, like “green stove,” “brain-neato” and the combination, “brain needle.”
Apparently, the clip comes from a 2014 YouTube video posted by toy reviewer DosmRider. The actual sound originates from a Ben 10 crab-like figurine called Brainstorm.
So, for those who are certain they’re only hearing “green needle” I’m sorry to break it to you – “brainstorm” is the ‘correct’ phrase. Speaking of TikTok, hear about how it’s saving lives below:
Speaking to Huffington Post in 2018, Professor Valerie Hazan said “The reason that a person can see their perception switch without explanation may also mean that our ears and brain have latched on to the other acoustic pattern than the one they were previously latching on to.”
Like ‘yanny vs. laurel’ or that god forsaken blue/black dress vs. gold/white dress debate, this is just another internet gem that will have us launching into full-blown arguments with our loved ones, but more than anything, it proves how awesome the human body is.
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