Sleights of mind : what the neuroscience of magic reveals about our everyday deceptions

Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, the founders of the new discipline of neuromagic, have convinced some of the world's greatest magicians to allow scientists to study their techniques for tricking the brain. This book is the result of the authors' yearlong, world-wide exploration of magic and how its principles apply to our behavior. Magic tricks fool us because humans have hardwired processes of attention and awareness that are hackable--a good magician uses your mind's own intrinsic properties against you. Now magic can reveal how our brains work in everyday situations. For instance, if you've ever bought an expensive item you'd sworn you'd never buy, the salesperson was probably a master at creating the 'illusion of choice,' a core technique of magic. The implications of neuromagic go beyond illuminating our behavior; early research points to new approaches for everything from the diagnosis of autism to marketing techniques and education.--From publisher description. & nbsp;Read more... The woman in the chameleon dress: visual illusions and magic -- The secret of the bending spoon: why magicians watch their angles -- The brother who faked a dome: visual illusions in art and science -- Welcom to the show but please leave on your blinders: cognitive illusions -- The gorilla in your midst: more cognitive illusions -- The ventriloquist's secret: multisensory illusions -- The Indian rope trick: memory illusions -- Expectations and assumptions: how magicians make ASSes of U and Me -- May the force be with you: the illusion of choice -- Why magic wands work: illusory correlations, superstition, hypnosis, and flimflam -- The Magic Castle -- Will the magic go away? Stephen Macknik And Susana Martinez-conde, The Founders Of The New Discipline Of Neuromagic, Have Convinced Some Of The World's Greatest Magicians To Allow Scientists To Study Their Techniques For Tricking The Brain. This Book Is The Result Of The Authors' Yearlong, World-wide Exploration Of Magic And How Its Principles Apply To Our Behavior. Magic Tricks Fool Us Because Humans Have Hardwired Processes Of Attention And Awareness That Are Hackable--a Good Magician Uses Your Mind's Own Intrinsic Properties Against You. Now Magic Can Reveal How Our Brains Work In Everyday Situations. For Instance, If You've Ever Bought An Expensive Item You'd Sworn You'd Never Buy, The Salesperson Was Probably A Master At Creating The Illusion Of Choice, A Core Technique Of Magic. The Implications Of Neuromagic Go Beyond Illuminating Our Behavior; Early Research Points To New Approaches For Everything From The Diagnosis Of Autism To Marketing Techniques And Education.--from Publisher Description. The Woman In The Chameleon Dress: Visual Illusions And Magic -- The Secret Of The Bending Spoon: Why Magicians Watch Their Angles -- The Brother Who Faked A Dome: Visual Illusions In Art And Science -- Welcom To The Show But Please Leave On Your Blinders: Cognitive Illusions -- The Gorilla In Your Midst: More Cognitive Illusions -- The Ventriloquist's Secret: Multisensory Illusions -- The Indian Rope Trick: Memory Illusions -- Expectations And Assumptions: How Magicians Make Asses Of U And Me -- May The Force Be With You: The Illusion Of Choice -- Why Magic Wands Work: Illusory Correlations, Superstition, Hypnosis, And Flimflam -- The Magic Castle -- Will The Magic Go Away? Stephen L. Macknik And Susana Martinez-conde ; With Sandra Blakeslee. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [263]-274) And Index. "This book doesn't just promise to change the way you think about sleight of hand and David Copperfieldit will also change the way you think about the mind." Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide and Proust Was A Neuroscientist Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, the founders of the exciting new discipline of neuromagic, have convinced some of the world's greatest magicians to allow scientists to study their techniques for tricking the brain. This book is the result of the authors' yearlong, world-wide exploration of magic and how its principles apply to our behavior. Magic tricks fool us because humans have hardwired processes of attention and awareness that are hackablea good magician uses your mind's own intrinsic properties against you in a form of mental jujitsu. Now magic can reveal how our brains work in everyday situations. For instance, if you've ever bought an expensive item you'd sworn you'd never buy, the salesperson was probably a master at creating the "illusion of choice," a core technique of magic. The implications of neuromagic go beyond illuminating our behavior; early research points to new approaches for everything from the diagnosis of autism to marketing techniques and education. Sleights of Mind makes neuroscience fun and accessible by unveiling the key connections between magic and the mind. Documents how the authors studied the techniques of famous magicians to gain insight into the human mind, revealing how illusory tricks depend on how the brain is hard-wired for specific processes of attention and awareness that affect all aspects of life.