The Magic of Consciousness Symposium

In honor of the Magic of Consciousness Symposium coming up (See below the fold for details) here's a video of Penn and Teller explaining the art of Sleight of Hand tricks.

The Magic of Consciousness Symposium

The ASSC11 Co-Chairs are happy to announce a Special Symposium that promises to showcase the "Magic of Consciousness" to even the hardest-nosed skeptic. Please join us and five of the world's premier stage magicians on Sunday June 24th, 2007, between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, so that these world-class performers may share their deep intuitions and insights on the covert manipulation of attention and awareness with the research community.

The five magicians joining us will be:

* Teller, of Penn & Teller , will speak about the difference between motion and action
"Action is motion with a purpose"
* Mac King, headliner at Harrah's on The Strip, will speak about why:
"It's a bad idea to do the same trick twice"
And why magicians never announce their tricks in advance
* James Randi, aka The Amaz!ng Randi, and Founder of the James Randi Foundation will present:
"Implying data that isn't there"
Or how an audience can be lulled into eagerly accepting suggestions and unspoken information
* Johnny Thompson, from The Great Tomsoni and Co. will talk about:
"Closing all the doors"
Or the importance of reducing all potential explanations to nothing but magic
* Apollo Robbins, Professional Thief and Pickpocket, who successfully pickpocketed the presidential secret service guarding Jimmy Carter, will discuss:
"Misdirection is the story that you make them remember"
Or how the audience believes what they are tricked into believing, despite evidence to the contrary

Go here for more information!