The Bamberg trials of accused witches took place in Bamberg, Germany, between the years of 1626 and 1631. During this time, there was a widespread belief in witchcraft and demonic possession, leading to a surge in accusations and subsequent trials of individuals believed to be witches. The trials in Bamberg were particularly notorious for their high number of executions. The main idea that can be highlighted from these trials is the extent of the hysteria and fear that surrounded witchcraft during this period. The trials resulted in the execution of over 300 alleged witches, making it one of the most significant witch trials in German history. Those accused of witchcraft faced brutal interrogations and torture techniques meant to extract confessions.
* How quickly/easy is it to change the reveal on the back (could a worker change the reveal a couple of times when out for the evening?)
The picture can be easily replaced but it needs a bit of tender love and care. However you do need a bit of time in privacy (for me it takes about 10 minutes or so).
To perform the effect you get everything needed - The transparent base board the 9 tiles the picture s and of course the very well produced teaching video. Thus, even small differences in brightness between adjacent zones, or objects, are deliberately increased by our visual system and the brain to better distinguish them.
Those accused of witchcraft faced brutal interrogations and torture techniques meant to extract confessions. The trials were heavily influenced by the works of Heinrich Kramer, a Dominican inquisitor who wrote the infamous Malleus Maleficarum, also known as "The Hammer of Witches." This book provided a detailed guide on identifying, interrogating, and prosecuting witches.
Magic Tic-Tac-Toe
Our visual system can interpret colors and shades in surprising ways. With this 3×3 Tic-Tac-Toe grid I would like to show that our sensibility to color brightness can be easily fooled. Well, do you notice something particular in the grid below?
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In fact, the large green square behind the grid hasn’t a uniform color as it looks,
but is checkered with dark and light green boxes.
Our visual system works like a “comparative computer”. In fact, we never see colors in isolation, as the appearance of any color is affected by the colors surrounding it. So, under certain conditions, colors that are identical may appear different, while colors that are different may look the same. In our visual system there is a mechanism that enhances the contrast of the outline of an object relative to its background: it is called “lateral inhibition”.
Thus, even small differences in brightness between adjacent zones, or objects, are deliberately increased by our visual system and the brain to better distinguish them. But something strange happens when the brightness boundaries of the color zones are concealed: the cues the brain needs to trigger the lateral inhibition no longer exist and consequently we become blind to variations in color brightness, as shown in the animated gif.
My optical illusion “Magic Tic-Tac-Toe” has been chosen to be among the top 10 finalists for the “2019 Best Illusion of the Year Contest”
"Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals." -- Homer Simpson
It perpetuated the belief that witches were servants of the devil and needed to be eliminated. The trials in Bamberg were characterized by testimonies of witnesses and alleged confessions obtained under duress. Many of the accused were older women, widows, or unmarried women who did not conform to societal norms. Their supposed magical abilities, along with societal prejudices, made them easy targets for accusations. The trials came to an abrupt end in 1631 when a Swedish army invaded Bamberg during the Thirty Years' War. The chaos caused by the war, along with the decline in belief in witchcraft, contributed to the end of the trials. With the arrival of a more rational age and Enlightenment thinking, the belief in witches and witchcraft began to wane. The Bamberg trials of accused witches served as a dark period in history, highlighting the irrationality and cruelty that can arise from fear and superstition. The trials resulted in the deaths of innocent people and the destruction of lives. They serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of critical thinking in the pursuit of justice..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Medicine: The Role of Herbalism in the Bamberg Witch Trials"
1. John - 2/5
The "Bamberg trials of accused witches" was a disappointing experience for me. While I expected a gripping account of the trials and the social context surrounding them, the book lacked depth and failed to deliver on its promise. The writing felt dry and academic, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. Additionally, the author seemed to focus more on recounting the events rather than providing any meaningful analysis or insights. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.
2. Sarah - 3/5
I had high hopes for the "Bamberg trials of accused witches" as it is a topic that fascinates me. However, I found the book to be a bit repetitive and lacking in originality. The author relied heavily on previously published sources and didn't bring much new information to the table. While it was interesting to learn about the trials themselves, I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the societal factors that led to this dark chapter in history. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Mark - 2/5
I found the "Bamberg trials of accused witches" to be a tedious read. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any sort of narrative or storytelling element. It felt more like a collection of facts and dates rather than a cohesive and engaging account of the trials. Additionally, the book focused too much on the legal aspects of the trials, neglecting the human stories and personal experiences of the accused witches. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2/5
While the topic of the "Bamberg trials of accused witches" is undeniably intriguing, this book failed to capture my attention. The writing was overly technical and filled with jargon, making it difficult to follow at times. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their knowledge of the subject matter than creating an accessible and engaging narrative. I would have appreciated more context and analysis to truly understand the significance of these trials, but unfortunately, this book fell short in that regard.
5. Michael - 2/5
I was excited to dive into the "Bamberg trials of accused witches", but unfortunately, it left me feeling disappointed. The book lacked a clear structure, making it difficult to follow the progression of events and understand the larger historical context. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of emotional connection with the reader. It felt more like a textbook than a captivating account of the trials. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and informative read.