The Science of Magic

A recent article in the New York Times discusses a paper, written by scientists and magicians, which demonstrates how magicians exploit the human brain’s ability to construct a real-time model of the world.

The paper discusses perception, the brain’s ability to create a mental picture that is based on experience and context. "The brain uses neural tricks to do this: approximating, cutting corners, instantaneously and subconsciously choosing what to 'see' and what to let pass..." says the article. "Magic exposes the inseams, the neural stitching in the perceptual curtain."

Another aspect that’s discussed is the brain’s tendency to focus on a single aspect at the expense of the rest, something every experienced magician knows and uses.

You can read the entire article by clicking here. More Reading:
Five Steps to Perfect Your Sleight of Hand Moves
Magic 101: Overcoming Nervousness