Sleights of Mind : What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Brains

What can magic tell us about ourselves and our daily lives? If you subtly change the subject during an uncomfortable conversation, did you know you're using attentional "misdirection", a core technique of magic? And if you've ever bought an expensive item you'd sworn never to buy, you were probably unaware that the salesperson was, like an accomplished magician, a master at creating the "illusion of choice". In __Sleights of Mind__, leading neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde meet with magicians from all over the world to explain how the magician's arts shed light on consciousness, memory, attention, and belief. As the founders of the new discipline of NeuroMagic, they combine cutting-edge scientific research with startling insights into the tricks of the magic trade, showing how the world's greatest masters of deception turn the brain's faculties against itself. By understanding how magic manipulates the processes in our brains, we can better... What Can Magic Tell Us About Ourselves And Our Daily Lives? If You Subtly Change The Subject During An Uncomfortable Conversation, Did You Know You're Using Attentional 'misdirection', A Core Technique Of Magic? And If You've Ever Bought An Expensive Item You'd Sworn Never To Buy, You Were Probably Unaware That The Salesperson Was, Like An Accomplished Magician, A Master At Creating The 'illusion Of Choice'. Leading Neuroscientists Stephen Macknik And Susana Martinez-conde Meet With Magicians From All Over The World To Explain How The Magician's Art Sheds Light On Consciousness, Memory, Attention, And Belief. As The Founders Of The New Discipline Of Neuromagic, They Combine Cutting-edge Scientific Research With Startling Insights Into The Tricks Of The Magic Trade. By Understanding How Magic Manipulates The Processes In Our Brains, We Can Better Understand How We Work - In Fields From Law And Education To Marketing, Health And Psychology - For Good And For Ill. What can magic tell us about ourselves and our daily lives? If you subtly change the subject during an uncomfortable conversation, did you know you're using attentional 'misdirection', a core technique of magic? This book explains how the magician's art sheds light on consciousness, memory, attention, and belief. As the founders of the new discipline of NeuroMagic, they combine cutting-edge scientific research with startling insights into the tricks of the magic trade, showing how the world's greatest masters of deception turn the brain's faculties against itself. By understanding how magic manipulates the processes in our brains, we can better understand how we work - in fields from law and education to marketing, health and psychology - for good and for ill Founders of the new discipline of NeuroMagic, leading neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde explain how the magicians' arts shed light on memory, attention and belief. They show how we can learn from magicians' techniques in fields from law and education to health and marketing. Originally published: New York: Henry Holt, 2010 What can magic tell us about ourselves and how we communicate in our daily lives? If you subtly change the subject during an uncomfortable conversation, did you know you're using attentional 'misdirection', a core technique of magic? This book explains how the magician's arts shed light on consciousness, memory, attention, and belief.