Cognitive Seduction and the "peekaboo" law - Nice Blog Essay

[mouser]

Nice essay riffing on a recent Scientific American neuroscience article called The Neurology of Aesthetics.

Brains are turned on by puzzles. Brains are turned on by figuring things out. Brains are turned on by even the smallest "aha" moments. And despite what some of you (*cough* men *cough*) might believe, the brain is more turned on by seeing just the arms of a naked woman behind a shower curtain than it is by seeing all of her. So if you're trying to engage someone's brain, don't show everything. Let their brain connect the dots.
...
Whether you're trying to get someone's attention, keep their attention, motivate them to stick with something, or help them to learn more deeply and retain what they've learned, leave something for their brain to resolve. Do something to turn their brain on.

http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/

[app103]

And this is why companies like Victoria's Secret and Fredrick's of Hollywood are so successful...people want something left to the imagination...they need it.

This is also why the best art is stuff that makes you think.

[mahesh2k]

To your brain this is more alluring  ... ROFL.. Typical kathy sierra logic ...

[tomos]

This is also why the best art is stuff that makes you think.

that's actually really made me think ..
Not even thinking about art now, but I tend to be more along the lines of tell em everything and rub their noses in it - never a good idea as I find out again and again LOL

[cranioscopical]

I tend to be more along the lines of tell em everything and rub their noses in it - never a good idea as I find out again and again

Not sure I agree with you on that one, tomos.

• Tell 'em what you're going to say
• Say it
• Tell 'em what you just said

Make it so that every member of your audience can understand, no matter how senior he may be.