Latest news with #Bainbridge
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Mandela effect: 10 examples and why it happens
If you distinctly remember the Berenstain Bears books being spelled "Berenstein" or you know Pikachu has a black-tipped tail, you're not alone, but you're not correct. Don't worry, your brain isn't broken — you're just experiencing the Mandela Effect. In other words, you have a certain memory of something, like Mickey Mouse without a tail, but it's actually a false memory. (Spoiler alert: he does have a tail. He's a mouse, after all!) The Mandela effect is wild because it's often a false memory that many of us share. Some TikTok users even describe the phenomenon as proof we've shifted timelines where events, products and pop-culture references have all been affected — but, importantly, these are only conspiracy theories. To get to the bottom of this memory mystery, I chatted with Wilma Bainbridge, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Chicago, to find out why people have false memories and where the Mandela effect came from. And if you're curious to see how your own memory holds up, I've included some classic Mandela Effect examples below. Let's see how many you remember correctly! What is the Mandela effect? What's the history behind the Mandela effect? Why does it happen? Popular examples of the Mandela effect How do conspiracy theories relate to the Mandela effect? What can you do if you're experiencing false memories? Can hypnosis help retrieve real memories? "The Mandela Effect is a pervasive false memory where people are very confident about a memory they have that's incorrect," Bainbridge tells Yahoo. It's often associated with pop culture. In reality, people have seen the correct version of the product or reference in question, but many have the same wrong memory of how it looks or is spelled. "The Mandela effect is so striking and popular because we have a shared creepy, weird feeling because what you thought was reality isn't actually the case," she says. (back to top) The term was coined in 2009 by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome, who wrongly recalled that former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s, Bainbridge notes. Broome discovered the truth during a conference where others had the same "memory." (Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and died in 2013.) (back to top) "This is still an open question," Bainbridge says. "We've tried to pinpoint several explanations but there's no one good explanation." She notes that, in general, people have a schema for how things should look in the world and filter their memories through that lens. Let's look at Mr. Monopoly, mascot of the famous board game. If you think of a rich man from the early 1900s, you might envision him with a monocle or pocket watch even though Mr. Monopoly has neither. But we imagine he does because he's portrayed as a rich character — and, of course, he does wear a tuxedo and a top hat. Bainbridge conducted an experiment that included participants who had never heard of Mr. Monopoly. They participants saw the correct image of the Monopoly character — sans monocle — and after a brief delay, they were asked to draw the character they just saw. Many times, the participants drew him wearing a monocle. "This shows false memory is happening pretty rapidly," Bainbridge explains. "It doesn't take long to forget specifics of an image and add details that you think you saw." Even people who are more familiar with certain icons and characters can make mistakes. For instance, some Pokemon fans remember Pikachu having a black-tipped tail even though it's completely yellow. (They could be confusing his tail with his black-tipped ears.) (back to top) Here are some Mandela effect examples that have confused me over the years — and many others too. Grab your friends and see which false memories you may share. Fake: A Shazaam movie starring Sinbad as a genie. Reality: No such movie exists, but there is a movie called Kazaam where Shaquille O'Neal plays a genie. Fake: The Fruit of the Loom logo has a cornucopia. Reality: There's never been a cornucopia in the underwear brand's logo. Fake: Febreeze Reality: The air- and garment-freshener is Febreze — there have never been double E's in the name. Fake: Chic-fil-A Reality: The restaurant's name, Chick-fil-A, has always been spelled with a K. Fake: Tostino's pizza rolls Reality: The brand has always been spelled Totino's, without the first S. Fake: In Snow White, the evil queen says, "Mirror, mirror on the wall." Reality: She really says, "Magic mirror on the wall." Fake: Stove Top stuffing is made by Stouffer's. Reality: The stuffing is made by Kraft Heinz. Fake: Looney Toons, with "toons" spelled like "cartoons." Reality: Looney Tunes, with "tunes" spelled like music (the cartoons featured classical scores). Fake: Mickey Mouse wears suspenders in Steamboat Willy. Reality: This is another Mickey Mouse conspiracy theory — he never wore suspenders as Steamboat Willy (or any other character). Fake: Cheez-Itz, Cheez-Its. Reality: The snack has always been spelled Cheez-It. (back to top) If you've been on social media in the last few years, you've likely heard users discussing conspiracy theories about how the Mandela effect is evidence for shifting realities or timelines. For instance, they might say we grew up in a world where Mr. Monopoly wore a monocle, and somehow we've shifted into a parallel dimension where he doesn't. Bainbridge says this relates to how much we rely on our memories, since we feel like our memories are the truth. However, she says her team's research debunks the parallel-dimension theory because people associate something they've never seen with something familiar. She explains to her participants that since their false recollections occurred in such a short time frame, it's highly unlikely that they jumped to a new dimension. (back to top) With social media use, people are seeing false memories circulate as often as real ones, Bainbridge says, which makes it harder to test participants because these images are all over apps like TikTok and Facebook. But if you can focus on your memory and think of why you remember it that way, you might find the connection that's causing you to forget what you actually saw, she says. For instance, you may be associating Looney Tunes with cartoons, so you imagine the spelling as Looney Toons. Simply learning about the Mandela effect can help because it often solves the problem of seeing false images, Bainbridge adds. So looking into the history of these theories can help you learn the truth of why you're imagining the wrong reference or image. It may also help to ask friends and family members what they remember when it comes to a Mandela effect that's throwing you off. (However, if they all have the same false memories, this may make it harder to believe the truth!) (back to top) This one is tricky, Bainbridge explains, because "neuroscientists haven't found a clear signal in the brain for when a memory is false or true." Once your memory is saved, it looks the same on paper. It's hard to know what's reality based on the brain, she says. "When you have a memory, it doesn't stay stagnant because you're constantly updating it, and outsiders influence how you experienced it." For example, someone might remember different details of an event than you, and if they tell that story over and over, you might start to believe you witnessed it that way too. "People can influence memories so it feels like a real memory." Ultimately, because brains don't hold a perfect record of events that happened, hypnosis might not be able to get you back to the original memory, Bainbridge says. While experiencing the Mandela effect isn't a mental health issue, if you feel like it's negatively interfering with your life, you can speak with a therapist about the false memories. Additionally, here are the best online psychiatry services, the best affordable online therapy providers and the best online therapy for kids. (back to top) Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ada County police shooting ‘poorly executed' but justified, prosecutor says
The Kuna police officers who shot a man on an Interstate 84 on-ramp in Meridian last year were legally justified in their use of force, according to the Valley County prosecuting attorney, who took issue with some facets of the incident. Brian Naugle wrote in a report released Friday night that police too often seem to choose violence and that the officers were lucky no one was hurt when some bullets hit a passing car and landed across the freeway in Roaring Springs Water Park. While the use of force 'may have been poorly executed,' it was still legally justifiable, he said. 'They (officers) must still avoid using such force in a reckless, careless, or negligent manner,' Naugle wrote in a letter to Ada County. 'I cannot help but notice a tendency to choose deadly force even when there are other alternatives or where the use of force by the police creates at least as great a danger to the public as the person being apprehended.' The Treasure Valley saw 12 police shootings last year, including one in Elmore County and one in Owyhee County. Seven of those were fatal. On Aug. 1, 2024, Jeremiah Bainbridge ripped his girlfriend's car keys out of her pocket and drove away in her car, according to previous Statesman reporting. The woman jumped out of the car as he drove away, with 'mildly bleeding scratches' on her face, according to the prosecutor's letter. Bainbridge drove 100 miles per hour while trying to elude Ada County sheriff's deputies who work for the city of Kuna, which has the Sheriff's Office operate its police force under a contract, according to previous Statesman reporting and the letter. He called dispatch and said he was armed, suicidal and wouldn't go back to jail. Deputies used a pursuit-intervention technique to stop the car. Bainbridge got out of the car with a gun in his hand, the letter said. Ultimately, three deputies fired 19 rounds, five of which struck him, the letter said. Bainbridge pleaded guilty to charges of domestic violence and fleeing an officer. A judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail and required him to complete the Active Behavioral Change program, to be followed by probation until 2032. Reporter Alex Brizee contributed.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On the Up: Knowledge Bank keeps Hawke's Bay story alive despite limited funding
It documents everything from family letters to records of orchards, old books, remarkable videos, sports clubs and storm recovery. Keeping the doors open and the archives running comes at a cost – dozens of volunteers and at least $100,000 a year are needed. Bainbridge says the organisation receives $30,000 a year from Hastings District Council, a small contribution from Napier City Council, and some lottery and community grants. Each year, the Knowledge Bank has to reapply, fundraise and manage how it will fund the projects. This year it's looking to spread its arms a little bit. Right now, it relies on volunteer power. About 80 people help to scan, transcribe, upload and proofread hundreds of records, pouring in about 1000 volunteer hours each month. Yet the backlog continues to grow. For every photo they capture, each click demands about three hours of work. 'At the moment we've got 70 boxes sitting in the container, and that's over 100 years of architectural history,' Bainbridge said. 'We can't start any projects without funding.' The bank is currently working on a Cyclone Gabrielle history project, capturing stories from 150 residents across Hastings affected by the devastating storm. Grant Nicholson, a six-year volunteer at the bank who is interviewing people for the project, said the experience has been deeply emotional and real. 'We don't worry about editing or saying, 'Oh, you can't say that'. We want criticism, we want the good stuff, the bad stuff and the tears stuff, and there's plenty of it.' Bainbridge said, unlike museums that prioritise notable artefacts or public institutions that focus on structural history, the Knowledge Bank's mission is to preserve stories of everyday life. 'You don't have to be important to bring your family history here.' The organisation is looking to implement a suggested donation system when accepting new collections, so the burden doesn't fall entirely on grant funding. 'We want to spread our arms and start being a little bit more self-sufficient,' Bainbridge said. The organisation is now partnering with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Hazel Belleza is one of the volunteers referred by the MSD. She has been volunteering for the bank for two months and does 40 hours a week. 'When I am at home, I get bored. Here I can get busy clicking and digitalising the books. I enjoy it,' she says. Bainbridge says the work done by the Knowledge Bank is essential. One of her favourite memories is from one of her first tasks at the Knowledge Bank when she started in 2016. She transcribed the official handbook of Hastings, published in 1929. 'There is so much information, like how many streetlights, footpaths and shops. It talks about Cornwall Park and about how they've got monkeys in the zoo there. And how it was going to be a world-renowned zoo. 'They had all these great ambitions and plans about how Hastings was going to be. And then we had the earthquake in 1931, and it totally devastated the landscape. I often think about it.' Bainbridge says that despite any financial struggle, they will keep fighting to preserve the Bay's memories. 'If we don't continue to preserve these stories, they're going to be lost.'
Sky News AU
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Special meaning': Anzac Day 2025 marks 110th anniversary of Gallipoli landings
NSW RSL President Mick Bainbridge reflects on Anzac Day and claims the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings has a 'special meaning' to everyone in Australia. 'For me … it's about remembering my mates that I lost in Afghanistan,' Mr Bainbridge told Sky News Australia. 'Unfortunately also, another lot of friends, and service men and women who have lost their lives to suicide after returning home.'
Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Perth Now
Killer admits dousing man in petrol, setting him alight
Joshua Bainbridge was cutting down trees with his father Colin at a regional Victorian property when he heard yelling. He rushed over to his 66-year-old father and found disgruntled neighbour Stuart Lee covering him in petrol and setting him alight. "Seeing my father ignite and scream as he was burned alive is a memory that will never leave my mind," Joshua Bainbridge told the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday. Lee, 65, has pleaded guilty to murdering Colin Bainbridge at the Wheatsheaf property near Daylesford on March 14, 2023. Mr Bainbridge had been felling trees in his friend's backyard when, without any instigation, Lee yelled at him to "f*** off". Mr Bainbridge said the same thing in response and Lee rushed off to call the police but five calls to the Daylesford station went unanswered. His final call was diverted to Bacchus Marsh police who told him to call triple zero if he needed immediate assistance. Lee told the officer he would go and murder his neighbours if they did not come. The 65-year-old then went into his shed, poured petrol from a jerry can into a blue bucket and grabbed a lighter from inside the house. Lee went into the backyard, climbed a fence and poured the petrol over Mr Bainbridge before setting him on fire. Joshua Bainbridge rushed over and tried to put out the flames with his jumper but was unsuccessful so he retrieved a hose. His father said "I can't believe this bastard has done me in" as Joshua called triple zero for an ambulance. Lee also called emergency services but for police attendance, saying he poured petrol on his neighbour because he was trying to defend himself. Mr Bainbridge was airlifted to The Alfred with burns to 81 per cent of his body and he died in hospital later that evening. Joshua Bainbridge told the court he was perpetually stuck reliving his father's final day. "I feel like I'm balancing on a knife edge," he said. His father was a good man who changed many people's lives for the better, Mr Bainbridge said. "He was robbed of the last years of his life for nothing," he said. "The world is a worse place without him in it." Psychiatrist Andrew Carroll told the court Lee had a personality disorder where he was paranoid, suspicious of others and felt like he was under threat. Dr Carroll said there was a realistic link between Lee's disorder and his offending, and the 66-year-old had a lack of empathy and shame. "He has no real sense of guilt because he feels he was justified to do what he had to do," the psychiatrist said. Lee was not psychotic at the time of the crime and his presentation did not meet a diagnosis of psychopathy, Dr Carroll said. Lee's lawyer Julia Munster conceded the murder was horrific and warranted a significant jail term. She will make further submissions on Thursday but Justice Andrew Tinney already flagged he was considering life in prison as a possible sentence.
