Humans have very special relationships with shiny, reflective surfaces. Some scientists think that this is because our sensory systems developed to find them particularly pleasant as the surfaces of bodies of clean fresh water often mirror the skies around them and surrounding vegetation. All else being, the same, we prefer glossy surfaces to matte ones. Shiny floors may be perceived to be slippery by people looking at them, however, and shiny window frames and similar surfaces can generate lots of…