[DougN7]

When I saw the title I thought of people I know who have “crazy eyes” (as I’ve heard it called). I can’t even define what it is, but know it when I see it, and often that person seems off somehow. I’ve been trying to decide for a while if it’s real or some sort of confirmation bias after I know them better.

[torben-friis]

There's a scene in Queen's Gambit where one character tells another something along the lines of "I had an alcoholic father. I see your eyes and I know what it is".

Having an alcoholic father myself, I know exactly what that line means. It really is a very specific look, though as you say it's hard to explain to someone.

[_huayra_]

I had the exact same thought. I think these "crazy eyes" come from a predisposition to view other people (e.g. other skin colors, genders, or just other humans) as a threat. It's always that fixed stare, unblinking face, and enlarged pupils. It almost is like right before one's cat decides to launch a sneak attack on your leg as your round the corner, but usually more dangerous (either physically or emotionally).

[jhowell]

This is going on in Petaluma, CA right now. A mom claimed people of color attempted to kidnap her children. She describes the eyes of the "perpetrators" below. Fortunately, according to the police investigation, her children were not in danger, from the people who were reported to the police.

There is a lot of speculation about transpired given conflicting video, police statements and eyewitness accounts. Mrs. Sorensen has since deleted her social media accounts and stopped giving interviews. I saw her appeal to mother's to be more guarded with their children:

“There is no other explanation as to why they were doing that besides they were just building the courage,” Sorensen said. “The gentleman looked at me, and his eyes were huge. He saw what was going on, and I just yelled for help.”

https://www.intheknow.com/2020/12/17/alleged-kidnapping-kati...

[ceejayoz]

Been quite a few of these. At least one turned deadly.

https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/11/28/woman-shared-faceb...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/04/tech/facebook-white-vans/inde...

I suspect some of the paranoia is related to the QAnon nonsense.

[treeman79]

Spouse Used to suffer severe Panic attacks. Crazy eyes are a thing. Facts become meaningless.

There is usually a building up period, like your cat stalking analogy.

If your hyper alert to signs, you can often stop it before it gets serious. Of course then your on edge constantly for signs.