While watching Philip Zimbardo’s “Why ordinary people do evil… or good,” an illusion by M.C. Escher was displayed that instantly made me think, “Look at all the devils in a circle!”

Zimbardo, however, tells people that here’s a picture of angels, but if you look closer, you can see devils, or the underlying evil of the world. And here the angels needed to be pointed out to me.

Even though I’ m disturbed by my perception being the reverse of the standard–demented, left-handed, pessimistic, creative thinker, whatever may explain it–I still think the black figures are more predominant, with the white angels pointed out. Is it the white eyes of the little devils? The only angels that really stand out are the ones in the center, with their pleated robes.

I love optical illusions, and I’ve always liked stories about angels and devils (of all cultural origins and mythological types.) This picture has a profound effect on my inner reflection process.