UNCANNY VALLEY

The boundary between cute and creepy may be narrower than we think.

“Computer animation has a problem. When it gets too realistic, it starts creeping people out. Most recently, moviegoers complained about the near-realistic depiction of humans in Disney's 3D flick Mars Needs Moms, which bombed at the box office despite costing hundreds of millions of dollars. A theory called the "uncanny valley" says we tend to feel attracted to inanimate objects with human traits, the way a teddy bear or a rag doll seems cute. Our affection grows as an object looks more human. But if it looks too human, we suddenly become repulsed. Instead of seeing what's similar, we notice the flaws — and the motionless eyes or awkward movements suddenly make us uncomfortable.” (Click here for more.)

The secret word is Rodent