Magic!

The Sci-Fi channel has a new show called "Mind Control" with Derren Brown.  Originally, a UK program it has been imported to the US.  From what I can gather from the web it is about 5-6 years old over there.

As a student of influence and motivation I am always interested in how to move people in one direction or another - ethically - of course.  Some of the "tricks" he plays on people are pretty impressive.  What I find just as interesting is that within some of the comments and bulletin boards associated with Derren and his "show" is a discussion of whether it's magic or psychology.  I'm not here to advance that conversation because I couldn't care less about the semantics of it. 

What I do know is that the combination of psychological principles and showmanship provides an entertaining look into how people can be influenced. Whether that be to accept blank pieces of paper as if it were real cash - to duping a couple of Ad Agency types to create an advertisement that Derren created before them - it is fun stuff to watch.

Here's  a couple of shorts that I found very interesting.

Using "blank paper" as cash...including a $4,500 piece of jewelry...

And... Ad Agency guys create the same advertisement without knowing it...

Again... just fun... but interesting how people can be "played."