Visions of... Nothing?

Virgin Mary or condensation?. Outlines of the Virgin Mary or Jesus in windows, on brick walls, on newly cemented floors and sidewalks, in tree trunks. They appear with great frequency (how many times a month do you see such a story in the news section?) and, predictably, the "faithful" flock to see them. Is there really anything to see? Or are the faithful just fooling themselves? An image in trees, water stains, and other such random patterns that resemble recognizable people or objects is called a simulacrum. And that's all these images are. (Our brains are wired to pick out familiar patterns.) They are not paranormal, and they certainly are not miracles. Some are better than others. The one linked at the top of this entry is a pretty good one -- allegedly depicting the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. But it still requires a bit of imagination and, I suppose, faith to really get it. Why don't I think they're miracles? The idea just doesn't make sense. If the Virgin Mary or Jesus were going to go to the trouble of creating such a miracle, why make the image so vague? Why not go ahead and create a clear image in full color? Drop some Polaroids from the sky. For that matter, why not stage an unannounced walk-on during Jay Leno's monologue? What's the point of a hazy outline in the trunk of an oak tree? What's the message? It's easy to see simulacra in tree bark and bushes, etc.. If a water stain on the side of the mall resembles a shoe, does that mean the Patron Saint of Shoes (whoever that is) is trying to send a message? "Save the world - buy more Nikes." Such stories of simulacra get tiresome quite fast, and only tend to make the "faithful" look foolish. They certainly don't do serious inquiry into the paranormal any good. (Some readers comment here.)