to see or to look?

Great topic!

I too don't understand it fully. When I have some time, I wish to google this thing and see more details on the same.

In the meantime, couple of thoughts (own thoughts) on this:
1. Looking is a proactive and self initiated move. Whereas seeing is a passive, reactive activity. I presume that the suggestion is that we do not energize the eyes or process the info if there is no self initiated, intent filled pursuit of something. For instance, in a newspaper clipping (just 2-3 days old in TOI) they said that, during a conversation, we see the expressions that we expect to see in our partner's face. What we expect is what we see? does that mean that other expressions are not there or are not visible??!! No, it just could mean that we don't detect it or interpret it that way.

2. Just like web browsing is purposeful (even if it is for recreation), I would guess that seeing is also like that. It must have some agent driven (internally initiated) purpose. Though, some of these purposes could be subconscious, too basic, or too level for us to be conscious or aware of ... but still, I suppose, they are driven from the inside. Vision, as we know it, fulfills two purposes: (1) to get a representation of the world around us as beings, and (2) to help us navigate thru it. Both seem purposeful to me. Data that is beyond this may not reach us either.

What do you think?

Sai Go