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selective attention test

Daniel Simons · demo · Watch on YouTube

Psychology & human behaviorMagic, puzzles & curiositiesNeuroscience & the brain

What it is

The original invisible gorilla awareness test by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris, in which viewers count basketball passes and often miss a gorilla crossing the scene. It demonstrates inattentional blindness.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN uses it constantly as the classic demonstration that attention is selective, in threads on driving, motorcycles, AI and perception.

  • 3 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2011, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “for many first-time viewers, it's an eye-opening experience.”

    Short demonstration that is eye-opening for first-time viewers

    chrisweekly, 2019-10 · Strong recommendation · in “Lethal memory fail: Why drivers see, and then forget motorcyclists”

  2. “Human attention is very much selective. Check out this shocking video”

    Demonstrates selective attention relevant to drivers missing cyclists

    crispyambulance, 2018-09 · Recommendation · in “A Fighter Pilot’s Guide to Surviving on the Roads”

  3. “Watch/take this Selective Attention test (1 min 22 sec)”

    Short test showing people see what they expect

    meowster, 2024-08 · Recommendation · in “Massachusetts 'Reviewing' Kei Car Ban After Uproar over Canceled Registrations”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: inattentional blindness, invisible gorilla, perception, psychology, attention test

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