Bizarre video of a man on a swing has the internet divided over which way he’s facing
Yet another optical illusion has taken the internet by storm. What seemed like an ordinary video of a man joyfully swinging in a snowed-in yard, became a mind-bending puzzle as netizens debated whether he was facing the camera or away from it. The video, first posted on TikTok by the man's neighbor Eric Tupper, was shot in Anchorage, Alaska.
To settle the debate, Tupper asked his audience to 'like' the post if they believed he was facing the camera and 'comment' if they were convinced he was looking toward the building. As reported by the New York Post, Tupper said, “We were staying in a house, and we noticed that person swinging. So, we went on the deck and realized some saw him facing us, and others saw him facing away. So, I just took a few videos trying to prove which way he was facing. I just posted it on TikTok two days ago, and it started the debate.”
As urged, netizens chimed in with their two cents. On TikTok user @bugnamedlily, opined, “He is definitely facing the camera based on the placement of the poles, but I was so confused for a second.” Meanwhile, a person, @kruelmeister, remarked, “Do y’all forget how swings work...you put your feet straight when you go forward, meaning he is facing towards the camera.” However, a TikToker @breannapeach, argued, “How are y’all seeing him facing the camera?? I am so confused, haha. I legit see his hood and everything. He is gotta be facing the building, right?”
As the comments poured in, another asserted, “I was CONVINCED he was facing the building, and then it just flipped out of nowhere, and now I am questioning everything.” The video even made it to the sets of BBC Breakfast, where hosts found themselves just as divided. As reported by The Mirror, Louise Minchin was certain the man was looking away, while Naga Munchetty insisted he was swinging forward. From the looks of it, only the man in the said clip can settle the debate once and for all.
At the heart of the illusion lies a key detail—the bar of the swing, which may be the key to solving the mystery. As the man swings backward at the beginning of the clip, the bar appears in front of him, suggesting he is facing the camera. As reported by Newsweek, this tiny clue gives us a definitive answer. Of course, this isn’t the internet’s first optical illusion that had them pulling out their hair. Back in 2015, a simple photo of a dress triggered global chaos, dividing both friends and family. While many believed it was gold and white, the manufacturer had the final word—the dress was blue and black.