On social media, many viewers stunned after a video showing a mysterious building that appears to shrink.
A strange optical illusion in Port Colborne, Ontario, has left people stunned.
The ‘shrinking mill’ appears to get smaller as you approach it, causing confusion among viewers.
The shrinking mill Illusion shocks viewers on social media
Emma Shand posted a video on TikTok showing the mysterious building. “This is the shrinking mill in Port Colborne,” she explains, teasing viewers with the bizarre effect.
As her car drives down a tree-lined road, she points to the building at the end of the street. She urges viewers to pay attention to how its size seems to shrink as they get closer.
“Normally, things get bigger as you drive closer, but not this one,” Emma says. The closer they get, the smaller the mill appears, baffling everyone.
The Optical Illusion behind the shrinking mill
Social media users were shocked, calling it a “glitch in the matrix” or claiming it messed with their brains.
The explanation for this curious phenomenon is an optical illusion called the Ponzo effect.
This illusion occurs when our brain misinterprets the size of an object based on its surroundings.
When the car first approaches the mill, the horizon line is hidden.
This makes the building look much larger.
However, as the car moves toward the open bay and the horizon becomes visible, the brain readjusts. This creates the illusion of the mill shrinking.
Tourists still visit to witness the illusion
Despite the simple explanation, the optical illusion still fascinates visitors. Tourists come to see the shrinking mill for themselves.
A local resident commented on the attraction, saying, “People are in awe when they see it for the first time.”
They added that tourists often drive by multiple times, mesmerized by the unusual sight.
The mystery of the shrinking mill explained
While the shrinking mill might appear impossible, it’s simply a trick of the mind.
Visitors still flock to Port Colborne to experience the intriguing effect, proving that optical illusions never lose their charm.
Would you like to see the shrinking mill for yourself? If you find yourself in Ontario, don’t miss this captivating visual trick!