...In any case, using "simulacrum/simulacra effect" in English is problematic because it refers to another thing entirely: a philosophical (and art/social science) concept, where (often intentionally distorted) representations/imitations of the real thing become 'real' in the minds of others (and have a visible impact on reality, like people acting out stereotypes) when they accept it as truth.
Whenever AI researchers talk about how imperfect AI is with pattern-matching, I always think of situations like this to show that humans aren't perfect either.
This is pareidolia.
It refers to a phenomenon where people interpret shapes as faces, like three spots arranged in an inverted triangle.
The Japanese uses "Simulacra Effect", which in some sources (net/urban dictionaries) is defined as a certain type of pareidolia, specifically "three spots arranged in an inverted triangle". In some others it's considered synonymous.
Oooooohh!
I see, I seeeeee!!
So they just look like faces despite not being faces, ahaaa!
Yep, yep.
We're definitely not faces, nope.
You're riiiiiiight!
You think so?
Ah—!
That thingy on your waist looks like a face, doesn't it?!
A faaaaace!
Well, if you put it that way, doesn't yours look like one too?
