Heijastavism

Heijastavism refers to a phenomenon in which a person or entity appears to be in two or more places simultaneously, often due to optical illusions, technological effects, or psychological interpretations. The term originates from the Finnish word *heijastua*, meaning "to reflect" or "to echo," and is sometimes used in discussions of paranormal experiences, digital media, or scientific observations.

In paranormal contexts, heijastavism is occasionally linked to accounts of apparitions or doppelgängers—sightings of a person appearing in another location at the same time as themselves. These experiences are often subjective and lack empirical verification, making them difficult to study scientifically. Some theories suggest that such perceptions may arise from misinterpretations of reflections, shadows, or even neurological phenomena like déjà vu or hallucinations.

In digital and media studies, heijastavism can describe the illusion of duplication or replication of an image or signal, such as in video streaming, holography, or virtual reality. For example, glitches in live broadcasts or digital distortions may create the appearance of a person existing in multiple places at once. This concept also appears in speculative fiction, where characters or entities exhibit properties resembling reflections or echoes across different dimensions or timelines.

While heijastavism lacks a formal definition in mainstream science, it serves as a useful term for discussing perceived simultaneity in unusual or unexplained contexts. Its study often intersects with psychology, physics, and media theory, highlighting the blurred line between perception and reality.