A Bayesian Account of Magic Tricks

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Bayesian Account of Magic Tricks Magic, Bayes and wows: a Bayesian account of magic tricks Magic, Bayes and wows: a Bayesian account of magic tricks Pablo Rodrigo Grassi1, 2, 3, * and Andreas Bartels1, 2, 3 1 Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Germany 2 Centre for Integrative Neurosciences, Tübingen, Germany 3 Max-Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany * Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract Magic tricks have enjoyed an increasing interest by scientists. However, most research in magic focused on isolated aspects of it and a conceptual understanding of magic, encompassing its distinct components and varieties, is missing. Here, we present an account of magic within the theory of Bayesian predictive coding. We present the “wow” effect of magic as an increase in surprise evoked by the prediction error between expected and observed sensory data. We take into account prior knowledge of the observer, attention, and (mis-)direction of perception and beliefs by the magician to bias the observer’s predictions and present two examples for the modelling of the evoked surprise. The role of misdirection is described as everything that aims to maximize the surprise a trick evokes by the generation of novel beliefs, the exploitation of background knowledge and attentional control of the incoming information. Understanding magic within Bayesian predictive coding allows unifying all aspects of magic tricks within one framework, making it tractable, comparable and unifiable with other models in psychology and neuroscience. Keywords: Magic, Bayesian surprise, predictive coding, misdirection, attention 1 Magic, Bayes and wows: a Bayesian account of magic tricks 1. Introduction Magic is about violating expectations: a freely selected card is guessed from a random deck, a coin magically appears in a hand, a chair levitates on stage. We are surprised, because our expectations are suddenly questioned by our senses. This makes magic fascinating for the viewer and also for the researcher. The effect magic evokes has been described as an extraordinary phenomenological experience, namely, as the “sense of wonder induced by seeing an apparently impossible event” (Rensink and Kuhn, 2015a). This experience of wonder and “impossibility” is induced by the profound mismatch between memory-based expectations and a sensory occurrence (Smith et al., 2016). Notably, it is exactly this – the prediction error between expected and actual sensory information – that has increasingly become one of central elements of recent developments in cognitive neuroscience: Bayesian predictive coding theories of brain function (Mumford, 1992; Rao and Ballard, 1999; Friston and Kiebel, 2009; Clark, 2013). Bayesian theories of brain function understand the brain as an inference organ that aims to minimize the prediction error between expected and actual sensory information. Magic, in turn, seems to exploit these prediction errors to maximize surprise. Intuitively, it appears promising to frame magic and misdirection within this influential theory of brain function and describe its effect as an increase of prediction error or surprise. However, although there has been an increasing effort in propagating the scientific investigation of magic using the tools of cognitive science (see Kuhn et al., 2008; Macknik et al., 2008; Rensink and Kuhn, 2015a; Thomas et al., 2015; Quiroga, 2016; Garcia-pelegrin et al., 2020 for an overview), the connection of magic research to Bayesian predictive coding and cognitive neuroscience in general is still thin. In particular, most studies of magic focused their analyses on behavioural responses and eye movements (e.g. Kuhn and Tatler, 2004; Kuhn and Land, 2006; Cui et al., 2011; Barnhart and Goldinger, 2014; Mohr et al., 2015; Ekroll et al., 2016). The link to neural signals has been largely neglected. Only three studies used neural signals to study our response to magic: two closely-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies localized brain areas involved in the perception of magic (Parris et al., 2009; Danek et al., 2015), while one electroencephalogram (EEG) study focused in the evoked potential related to a “magical” event (Caffaratti et al., 2016). The purpose of this paper is to close this gap. We aim to integrate the study of magic with cognitive neuroscience using an account of magic within the context of Bayesian predictive coding. The use of this established framework can help linking the study of magic to cognitive neuroscience and to develop hypothesis-driven physiological studies. The relation of magic to Bayesian predictive coding is not new (see e.g. Kuhn 2019). Previous studies have related magic to Bayesian inference and predictive coding in different formulations (e.g. Barnhart, 2010; Danek et al., 2015; Van de Cruys et al., 2015; Kuhn and Rensink, 2016). However, these references were usually given as a possible interpretation of certain magic effects and as an interesting note of something worth delving deep into. We will proceed as follows: in a first section, we shortly introduce Bayesian predictive coding and describe the Bayesian brain’s aim of minimization of prediction error and surprise. Then, we will show how magic effects can be understood as an increase of (Bayesian) surprise resulting from the mismatch between expectations and sensory information. We exemplify its computation using Bayesian models applied to two simple magic tricks. Thereafter, we describe misdirection as all elements of the preparation phase that aim to maximize the surprise, and we present three types of misdirection based on their effects on Bayesian inference. Finally, we argue that the understanding of experience of magic as surprise within a Bayesian predictive coding framework enables a variety of research questions that can be addressed using magic tricks as stimuli exploiting known neural and behavioural responses. 2. Bayesian predictive coding A key function of our sensory and cognitive systems is to provide us with trustworthy representations about physical properties of the world in order to allow for a meaningful interaction with it. Yet, the sensory information is incomplete, noisy, and ambiguous, making it 2 Magic, Bayes and wows: a Bayesian account of magic tricks an incredibly complex task to derive the underlying physical sources from it. As an example, the whole process of transforming the visual input from a scene received in both our retinas back again into a representation of the scene consisting of segregated elements is an sophisticated achievement of our visual system – but also one thought to require more than a third of the human brain (Felleman and Van Essen, 1991). For any given retinal signal there is an infinite number of possible sources that could have caused it (Kersten and Yuille, 2003). To cope with this fundamental ambiguity of perception our brain employs prior knowledge about the world based on experienced statistical regularities to predict the most likely causes of the incoming information. Recent cognitive theories of brain function understand the brain as a probabilistic inference system that attempts to explain the input it receives by generating hypotheses of the possible causes of it by means of Bayesian inference (Kersten et al., 2004; Friston, 2005; Friston and Kiebel, 2009; Clark, 2013). Bayesian inference involves the combination of observed information (likelihood) with probabilistic predictions based on previous knowledge (prior beliefs) to calculate a posterior probability, which corresponds to the most likely interpretation. This inference process has been hypothesized to be implemented in the brain through predictive coding (Mumford, 1992; Rao and Ballard, 1999). Bayesian predictive coding theories understand the brain as a hierarchical system whose aim is to maximize the evidence for its probabilistic model of the world by minimizing the difference between its predictions (i.e. prior beliefs) with the sensory data. The difference between prior beliefs and incoming sensory information is referred to as prediction error, which, in short, reports the “surprise” induced by the mismatch. If the predictions fail to explain the incoming information, then the prediction error gives novel information to update the probabilistic beliefs about the world and is therefore the fundamental basis of learning (Schultz et al., 1997; Friston, 2005; Friston and Kiebel, 2009). In sum, following this account, a key task of the brain is to acquire knowledge and build a world model, such that prediction errors between its probabilistic world model and actual observations are minimized (“not to be surprised”). However, this very process, updating and improving the model, and adapting it throughout the dynamics of human life, necessitates seeking out the unexpected and unknown, and thus, being surprised (Schwartenbeck et al., 2013; Clark, 2018). Accordingly, curiosity-driven learning and novelty- seeking explorative human behaviour necessarily accompanies the Bayesian predictive coding imperative of “minimize long-term prediction error”. This essential aspect of human behaviour is expressed in the practices of, just to name a few, literature, humour, games, puzzles, visual arts and, relevant for us, magic. In the following, we will present three main features of Bayesian predictive coding, which are important for the understanding of magic: its hierarchical structure, contextual dependency and attentional modulation. 2.1. Inference: across the cortical hierarchy In
Recommended publications
  • – Channing Pollock – Robert Harbin – Patrick Page
    “To see Cardini is like watching a trick fi lm.” – Patrick Page “I had the greatest magical experience of my life when I watched him perform.” – Robert Harbin “If I had seen him work when I was at the start of my career, I would have scrapped the profession and learned a different trade.” – Channing Pollock 42 MAGIC • august 2007 M192 Cardini_v1_FIN.indd 2 7/12/07 11:41:33 AM “The world’s outstanding stage exponent of pure sleight-of-hand.” – Milbourne Christopher “The greatest single act that ever appeared in the world to my way of thinking.” – Dai Vernon ~By John Fisher~ Magicians today acknowledge that the examples set by the legendary Car- dini — in technique, in suavity, and in career achievement — shone the light for them. It is probable that Cardini has still not been surpassed as both an entertaining and an artistic exponent of pure sleight-of-hand within the limitations of a short vaudeville act. MAGIC • august 2007 43 M192 Cardini_v1_FIN.indd 3 7/12/07 11:41:37 AM There could be no greater contrast between nipulate the cards at all without gloves. So he the fi fth, thimbles and fi re. The digital dexter- the level of sophistication which Cardini’s act practiced with them on and laid the ground- ity was present throughout, but he still per- came to epitomize and his early background. work for the exquisite skill and sensitivity that sisted in being a talking magician upon whose He was born Richard Valentine Pitchford on would come to form his act in later years.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography of Works by Roberto Giobbi Status: May 2019
    Bibliography of Works by Roberto Giobbi Status: May 2019 Books • Fantasia in As-Dur, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1987 • CardPerfect, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1987 • roberto-light, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1988 • Grosse Kartenschule Band 1, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1992 • Grosse Kartenschule Band 2, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1992 • roberto extra-light, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1992 • Grosse Kartenschule Band 3, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1994 • Grosse Kartenschule Band 4, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1994 • Cours de cartomagie moderne Tome 1, Magix, Strasbourg 1994 • Gran Escuela Cartomagica, Volumenes 1 y 2, Paginas, Madrid 1994 • Card College Volume 1, Hermetic Press, Seattle 1995 • Gran Escuela Cartomagica, Volumenes 3 y 4, Paginas, Madrid 1995 • roberto super-light, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 1995 • Cours de Cartomagie Moderne Tome II, Magix, Strasbourg 1996 • Roberto Light, Paginas, Madrid 1996 • Roberto Super Light, Paginas, Madrid 1996 • Roberto Extra Light, Paginas, Madrid 1996 • Card College 1, Corso di Cartomagia Moderna, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 1998 • Card College 2, Corso di Cartomagia Moderna, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 1999 • Il sogno del baro, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 1999 • Card College 3, Corso di Cartomagia Moderna, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 2001 • Roberto Light, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 2001 • Roberto Extra-Light, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 2001 • Roberto Super-Light, Florence Art Edizioni, Firenze 2001 • Card College Volume 1 (Japanese version), Tokyo 2001 • Card College Volume 2 (Japanese version), Tokyo 2002 • Card College Volume 5, Hermetic Press, Seattle 2003 • Grosse Kartenschule Band 5, Magic Communication Roberto Giobbi, Basel 2003 • Cours de Cartomagie Moderne Tome 3, Magix, Strasbourg 2005 • Card College Light, Hermetic Press, Seattle 2006 • Roberto Light (version française), C.C.
    [Show full text]
  • As We Kicked Off the New Millennium, Readers of This
    s we kicked off the new Amillennium, readers of this magazine cast their ballots to elect the ten most influential magicians of the 20th century. Although there were some sur- prises, few could argue with the top two — Harry Houdini and Dai Vernon. While scores of books have been written about Houdini, David Ben has spent the past five years prepar- ing the first detailed biography of Dai Vernon. What follows is a thumbnail sketch of Vernon’s remarkable life, legacy, and con- tribution to the art of magic. BY DAVID BEN Scene: Ottawa admired performers such as T. Nelson to learn, however, that he might as well have Scene: Ballroom of the Great Year: 1899 Downs, Nate Leipzig, and J. Warren Keane been the teacher. Northern Hotel, Chicago David Frederick Wingfield Verner, born more. He marveled at their ability to enter- In 1915, New York could lay claim to Year: 1922 on June 11, 1894, was raised in the rough- tain audiences with simple props and virtu- several private magic emporiums, the places On February 6, 1922, Vernon and his and-tumble capital of a fledgling country, oso sleight of hand. Coins flitted and flick- where magic secrets were bought, built, and confidant, Sam Margules, attended a ban- Canada, during the adolescence of magic’s ered through Downs’ fingers, while Leipzig sold. Much to Vernon’s chagrin, the propri- quet in honor of Harry Houdini in the Golden Age. It was his father, James Verner, and Keane, ever the gentlemen, entertained etor and staff at Clyde Powers’ shop on Crystal Ballroom of the Great Northern who ignited his interest in secrets.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblioteca Digital De Cartomagia, Ilusionismo Y Prestidigitación
    Biblioteca-Videoteca digital, cartomagia, ilusionismo, prestidigitación, juego de azar, Antonio Valero Perea. BIBLIOTECA / VIDEOTECA INDICE DE OBRAS POR TEMAS Adivinanzas-puzzles -- Magia anatómica Arte referido a los naipes -- Magia callejera -- Música -- Magia científica -- Pintura -- Matemagia Biografías de magos, tahúres y jugadores -- Magia cómica Cartomagia -- Magia con animales -- Barajas ordenadas -- Magia de lo extraño -- Cartomagia clásica -- Magia general -- Cartomagia matemática -- Magia infantil -- Cartomagia moderna -- Magia con papel -- Efectos -- Magia de escenario -- Mezclas -- Magia con fuego -- Principios matemáticos de cartomagia -- Magia levitación -- Taller cartomagia -- Magia negra -- Varios cartomagia -- Magia en idioma ruso Casino -- Magia restaurante -- Mezclas casino -- Revistas de magia -- Revistas casinos -- Técnicas escénicas Cerillas -- Teoría mágica Charla y dibujo Malabarismo Criptografía Mentalismo Globoflexia -- Cold reading Juego de azar en general -- Hipnosis -- Catálogos juego de azar -- Mind reading -- Economía del juego de azar -- Pseudohipnosis -- Historia del juego y de los naipes Origami -- Legislación sobre juego de azar Patentes relativas al juego y a la magia -- Legislación Casinos Programación -- Leyes del estado sobre juego Prestidigitación -- Informes sobre juego CNJ -- Anillas -- Informes sobre juego de azar -- Billetes -- Policial -- Bolas -- Ludopatía -- Botellas -- Sistemas de juego -- Cigarrillos -- Sociología del juego de azar -- Cubiletes -- Teoria de juegos -- Cuerdas -- Probabilidad
    [Show full text]
  • The Underground Sessions Page 36
    MAY 2013 TONY CHANG DAN WHITE DAN HAUSS ERIC JONES BEN TRAIN THE UNDERGROUND SESSIONS PAGE 36 CHRIS MAYHEW MAY 2013 - M-U-M Magazine 3 MAGIC - UNITY - MIGHT Editor Michael Close Editor Emeritus David Goodsell Associate Editor W.S. Duncan Proofreader & Copy Editor Lindsay Smith Art Director Lisa Close Publisher Society of American Magicians, 6838 N. Alpine Dr. Parker, CO 80134 Copyright © 2012 Subscription is through membership in the Society and annual dues of $65, of which $40 is for 12 issues of M-U-M. All inquiries concerning membership, change of address, and missing or replacement issues should be addressed to: Manon Rodriguez, National Administrator P.O. Box 505, Parker, CO 80134 [email protected] Skype: manonadmin Phone: 303-362-0575 Fax: 303-362-0424 Send assembly reports to: [email protected] For advertising information, reservations, and placement contact: Mona S. Morrison, M-U-M Advertising Manager 645 Darien Court, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 Email: [email protected] Telephone/fax: (847) 519-9201 Editorial contributions and correspondence concerning all content and advertising should be addressed to the editor: Michael Close - Email: [email protected] Phone: 317-456-7234 Submissions for the magazine will only be accepted by email or fax. VISIT THE S.A.M. WEB SITE www.magicsam.com To access “Members Only” pages: Enter your Name and Membership number exactly as it appears on your membership card. 4 M-U-M Magazine - MAY 2013 M-U-M MAY 2013 MAGAZINE Volume 102 • Number 12 26 28 36 PAGE STORY 27 COVER S.A.M. NEWS 6 From
    [Show full text]
  • Shop Moxmagic TARBELL COURSE in MAGIC
    Tjalfes Magic - moxshop.dk søndag 03 oktober, 2021 ITEM WITH DISCOUNTED PRICE > TARBELL COURSE IN MAGIC - Vol 1 TARBELL COURSE IN MAGIC - Vol 1 Model : 7111 TARBELL COURSE IN MAGIC - Vol 1 No image Bemærk at vol 2. også kan købes, men desværre ikke ligger online endnu, spørg blot efter den. 19 l essons, 410 pages, 918 illustrations. Includes: History of Magic, Magic as a Science, Sleight of Hand with Coins, Coin Tricks, More Coin Tricks, The Thumb Tip, Impromptu Tricks, Ball Tricks, Mathematical Mysteries, Effective Card Mysteries, Impromptu Card Mysteries, Mental Card Mysteries, Card Sleights, Novel Card Mysteries, Restoring Torn Papers, Rope & Tape Principle, Handkerchief Tricks, Knotty Silks, Eggs and Silks Comments: The Tarbell Course in Magic (volumes 1-8) covers almost every aspect of magic from close up to parlor to stage effects. Even though some of the effects are a bit dated, the principles you will learn here are foundational to magic. Also, it should be noted that many of the routines still hold their own today. The Tarbell style provides almost all the details: drawings, patter, tips, and suggestions. Some of my favorites from Volume 1 include: 85 The Dissolving Coin in glass of water, 88 Vanishing Coin In Handkerchief (wax on corner), 90 Coin Through Handkerchief, 94 The "Pencil" Coin Vanish and Reappearance, 103 How To Vanish a Coin by Wrapping It In a Piece Of Paper, 115 The Homing Coins (money tray), 121 Thumb Tip Hint on depositing in Jacket Pocket, 122 Thumb Tip Palm, 129 Passe Passe Salt from thumbtip, 131 Ring penetrates rubber band on finger tips, 157 Cups & Balls routine with rubber balls, 163 Simple sponge ball technique, 173 Patriotic paper balls: uses 9 balls and three bowls, 232 You do as I do cards with 2 decks; easy.Chapter 13 Card sleights, and 276 Card in Orange.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Exposure on the Ecology of the Magic Industry: Preserving Magic in the Absence of Law," Cybaris®: Vol
    Cybaris® Volume 6 | Issue 1 Article 2 2015 The ffecE ts of Exposure on the Ecology of the Magic Industry: Preserving Magic in the Absence of Law Jared R. Sherlock Follow this and additional works at: http://open.mitchellhamline.edu/cybaris Part of the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons, and the Intellectual Property Law Commons Recommended Citation Sherlock, Jared R. (2015) "The Effects of Exposure on the Ecology of the Magic Industry: Preserving Magic in the Absence of Law," Cybaris®: Vol. 6: Iss. 1, Article 2. Available at: http://open.mitchellhamline.edu/cybaris/vol6/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews and Journals at Mitchell Hamline Open Access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Cybaris® by an authorized administrator of Mitchell Hamline Open Access. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Mitchell Hamline School of Law Sherlock: The Effects of Exposure on the Ecology of the Magic Industry: Pre Published by Mitchell Hamline Open Access, 2015 1 Cybaris®, Vol. 6, Iss. 1 [2015], Art. 2 THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE ON THE ECOLOGY OF THE MAGIC INDUSTRY: PRESERVING MAGIC IN THE ABSENCE OF LAW JARED R. SHERLOCK † I. Introduction ................................................................................. 3 II. BackGround of Intellectual Property in the Magic Industry .................................................................................... 4 A. Brief History ...................................................................... 4 B. The
    [Show full text]
  • Dossier Lecture
    Adrian Vega Lecture About Adrian Vega… One of the best CloseUp Magicians from Spain and with more international projection, living in Las Vegas and working with Criss Angel as the CloseUp Magician in his touring show “The Supernaturalists”. Also, Adrian Vega works as a active consultant for Criss Angel, performing as well in his last TV show “Trick´d Up”. He has received a lot of awards like the Now, he is really exciting to share all that Spanish CloseUp Champion in 2013. Also he learned in these years as a he was Magician of the year in 2014, and profesional magician and creative in this he has international awards as “Award of magic world. Merit” in RonMcMillan in London (2013), Second Prize in the last IBM Convention Even, during 2018 and 2019, Penguin in USA, People´s Choice Award and Obie Magic and Murphys will release more ´s FFF award in 2016 getting a great than 10 original tricks, his brand new standing ovation next year in this creations. prestigious convention FFFF. Even, he owns a FISM Europe Award in 2017 and So, you shouldn’t miss this special lecture “Ascanio Award 2018” becoming the with a lot new magic and theory mixed Spanish Magician of the year. with typical Spanish School of Magic and a lot of experience traveling with During his time in Spain, he is a active one of the biggest magic shows out there. teacher in the “Tamariz School of Magic” in Madrid. You will enjoy it!! Don't miss it!! "Astonishing, Dynamic, Revolutionary, Innovative, Artistic, Nouveau.
    [Show full text]
  • Model of Information Process for Neuromagic
    Model of information process for neuromagic David Bestue1,2 1. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) 2. Universitat de Barcelona (UB) Abstract In this work, I structure the magical knowledge around the neuroscientific literature. For that, I present a theoretical neuropsychological model to illustrate how magic tricks can interfere with different processes of the information flow. This model combines different memory stages, the perceptual pathway, the emergence of attention and the consciousness threshold to provide a holistic picture of how magic functions from the neuroscientific perspective. Following the model, I also present a misdirection definition and classification that is more accurate with the biological reality than the existing ones. Introduction Over the last few years, the field of neuroscience has developed a branch based on the combination of both magicians and neuroscientists knowledge–“neuromagic”- (Tompkins et al., 2016; Shalom et al., 2013; Kuhn et al., 2008; Rissanen et al., 2014; Lamont & Henderson, 2009; Olson et al., 2015; Rensink & Kuhn, 2015; Ekroll et al., 2017; Barak & Tsodyks, 2014; Kuhn, 2019). The goal of magicians is to surprise their audience and to do so, they create magic tricks that are increasingly impressive. In this process, they are inadvertently lighting a lot of processes underlying attention, perception and memory (Kuhn et al., 2016; Wiseman et al., 2016; Rieiro et al., 2013; Cui et al., 2011; Demacheva et al., 2012; Kuhn & Land, 2006). In this work, I propose a model to address the impact of magical techniques based on a neuroscientific framework of how the brain processes information. 1 The popular notion that magic works because “the magician makes us look elsewhere” has pushed the field to investigate attention through magic.
    [Show full text]
  • Tommy Wonder & Stephen Minch)
    Downloaded from www.vanishingincmagic.com by Ray Hyman EDITED by Joshua Jay Cover designed by Vinny DePonto Layout by Andi Gladwin Downloaded from www.vanishingincmagic.com by Ray Hyman Magic in Mind was prepared in cooperation with the Society of American Magicians, and the ebook will be made available for free to all members worldwide. www.vanishingincmagic.com All rights reserved. The essays in this book are copyrighted by their respective authors and used with permission. No portion may be reproduced without written permission from the authors. Downloaded from www.vanishingincmagic.com by Ray Hyman AcknowledgEments Magic in Mind started out as a project intended expressly for serious young magicians, but the first of many lessons I learned during my two-year endeavor is this: age has little to do with learning. It was evident, early on, that this collection would benefitanyone serious about getting serious in magic. So here we are. Thanks to all the generous magicians who have allowed me to include their work in this collection. I am overwhelmed by the support they have shown. In particular, I wish to single out Darwin Ortiz, whose writings I admire greatly, and who went against a personal policy, and agreed to participate. I consider it a favor to me, and a favor to all those who will learn from his writings. Thanks, Darwin, for being flexible and generous. Thanks to Stephen Minch, whose encouragement and “pull” helped initiate the project. Irving Quant helped with the translation of “Fundamentals of Illusionism” by Juan Tamariz. Denis Behr suggested a few essays I was not familiar with.
    [Show full text]
  • Misdirection – Past, Present, and the Future
    REVIEW ARTICLE published: 06 January 2012 HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2011.00172 Misdirection – past, present, and the future Gustav Kuhn1* and Luis M. Martinez 2* 1 Department of Psychology, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK 2 Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain Edited by: Misdirection refers to the magician’s ability to manipulate people’s attention, thoughts, and Idan Segev, The Hebrew University of memory. It has been argued that some of the techniques used by magicians to orchestrate Jerusalem, Israel people’s attention and awareness may provide valuable insights into human cognition. In Reviewed by: Lutz Jäncke, University of Zurich, this paper we review the scientific, as well as some of the magic literature on misdirection. Switzerland We focus on four main points: (1) the magician’s concept of misdirection, (2) the paradigms Shlomo Bentin, The Hebrew used to study misdirection scientifically, (3) review of the current scientific findings, and University of Jerusalem, Israel (4) future directions. *Correspondence: Gustav Kuhn, Department of Keywords: misdirection, magic, attention, awareness Psychology, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. e-mail: [email protected]; Luis M. Martinez, Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Miguel Hernández, Campus de Sant Joan, Avenida Ramón y Cajal, S/N, 03550 Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain. e-mail: [email protected] “The principle of misdirection plays such an important role This task is even more challenging considering our usual clut- in magic that one might say that magic is misdirection and tered visual environment, which is filled with information that misdirection is magic” Hugard (1960, p.
    [Show full text]
  • Jan :: Something About Magic
    Jan. 2019 // Magic Pop-Up // Something About Magic And Magician Culture by Geoff Kanick magic sleight-of-hand prestidigitation conjuring There are different ways to define it. How do you define it? The power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. Teller defined it as: The theatrical linking of a cause with an effect that has no basis in physical reality, but that — in our hearts — ought to. I asked my 4 year old niece Coco what magic is and she said, “A lot…and none.” Which might be the most profound answer. There are many categories of magic: Close-up magic Stage magic Illusions, which are sometimes called Big Box Magic There’s parlor magic Mentalism… which some mentalists argue is not magic Street magic Bizarre magic Mathemagic Card magic Coin magic Comedy magic Kids magic Gospel magic Quick Change Acts Manipulation Acts Cardistry Escapology Pickpocket Routines Impromptu Magic There are people rooted in the traditions of the Spanish school of magic. Jan. 2019 // Magic Pop-Up Others who look to the teachings of Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller. There are lectures and conventions, big conventions where more than 1000 magicians gather and fill an expo hall with magic and vendors and late night jam sessions. Some magicians call them tricks, some call them effects, or illusions. There are debates whether to use a push off or a strike. Snap changes Double deals The Diagonal Palm Shift The Pass Erdnase color change The Bubble Peek The Glide Riffle Shuffle OverHand Shuffle Waterfall Shuffle Faro Shuffle Hindu Shuffle Zarrow Shuffle A triple cut An Under Cut A Table Cut A Slug A Stack A Peek A Glimpse A Steal An X Card An Out A Trap A Flash A Gaff A Fan A Pressure Fan A Card Spring A Dribble Feeling Heat And hours in front of the mirror Lots of different thoughts about who Erdnase really was… Jan.
    [Show full text]