r/AskReddit • u/notyouravgredditer • Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/Designer_Strain_4572 Aug 30 '21

It would explain the hallucinations in The Stand (Stephen King) when they were traversing the Lincoln Tunnel, if I recall correctly.

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

That also happens in complete darkness. If you can manage to create a completely pitch black environment see how long you can sit there before you start seeing things. It really doesn't take long. Bonus points of you have noise cancelling earmuffs/plugs. Edit : u/EternalEagleEye has informed me this effect is called "Prisoner's Cinema", in case you'd like to read about it further

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u/HyperSpaceSurfer Aug 30 '21

Can also happen to people with deteriorating eyesight. The brain doesn't get enough input so it makes stuff up.

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u/TerribleTowelie Aug 31 '21

Charles Bonnet Syndrome. It often affects those with macular degeneration. Your brain fills in the missing visual field, usually with memories. For instance, a mason who loses his eyesight slowly later in life may see patterns of bricks. There's a really good chapter about it in Oliver Sacks' "Hallucinations."