Why some people can hear this silent GIF (opens in new tab)

I hear it. In my case, I suspect it is a trained response rather than a mysterious neurological phenomenon. [1] Motion picture sound effects synchronize distant events such as explosions with the sound of explosions. When I am looking at a screen simultaneous audible and visual experience is what I have come to expect based on experience. A delay when watching a screen would seem unnatural.

One reason I expect it is a unique response to images on screen is that I don't find anything odd about the thunder coming well after the lightening in the real world, but a six second delay would be odd in a movie.

[1]: other than the mysterious neurological phenomenon of the human brain constructing mental experiences from sensory input.

I'll propose a theory: very loud, low frequency sounds actually create small vibrations in your eyes, and most brains have learned to pipe this sensory input to the auditory cortex. So, the shake in the GIF triggers a "sound" through your eyes.

I suspect it's due to people tensing their lower jaw in anticipation of a loud sound. I can do this at-will, and I hear something that I would describe in similar terms. I also triggered/heard it the first time I watched the animation (and I don't think I did it deliberately, although I was expecting it to happen).

My theory is that it's due to the jaw muscles vibrating when they tense, so an entirely physical sound conducted through the jaw/skull; rather than a neurological sound. I expect if you stuck a sensitive enough microphone in my ear, it would be audible.

I dont see a gif in this mess of JS. Anyone have a direct link?

I suspect the phenomenon is explained by the Predictive Processing model (which is explained well here: http://slatestarcodex.com/2017/09/05/book-review-surfing-unc...)

Can't 'hear' anything. I guess human beings are more varied than we seem at first sight.

I do hear a thud but it's definitely not loud.

Only oddity in BBC's phenomenon is they forced TV license, that they forcing people to pay who do not tv ?? - Can anybody explain that ??