Mystifying Maths
March 5, 2007 7:45 AM Subscribe
The mysteries of mind-reading to be revealed at public talk The secrets of mind-reading tricks worthy of Derren Brown and Uri Geller will be revealed at a public talk to launch National Science & Engineering Week in Bath (University of Bath, 7pm Wednesday 7 March 2007). In this free event, best-selling author, broadcaster and mathematician Rob Eastaway will demonstrate how simple mathematics can be used to perform effects that appear to involve telepathy.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Probably would have worked better after the talk, with video or wrap-ups. -- mathowie
This is not a good FPP. No information in the link, and most of us, I would wager, do not live in Bath, and so can't see the talk.
posted by empath at 7:53 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by empath at 7:53 AM on March 5, 2007
I'm with empath, that is, I'm just here to complain. I'd rather see a post in two weeks when it's on Youtube.
posted by knave at 7:56 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by knave at 7:56 AM on March 5, 2007
Ironically, I'm a little skeptical of the claim that simple mathematics are behind mind-reading tricks. Other than the "think of a number, now reverse the digits, add 47, etc" variety, aren't most mind-reading tricks either psychology, guessing or out-and-out cheating by having participants fill out an "information card" beforehand?
Actually, the "guessing" one could be mathematical. Like: "This woman is about 50 and the top male baby names from 1955-60 were 'Harry', 'Henry' and 'Joe", so I'll say 'his name starts with H or J'".
posted by DU at 7:57 AM on March 5, 2007
Actually, the "guessing" one could be mathematical. Like: "This woman is about 50 and the top male baby names from 1955-60 were 'Harry', 'Henry' and 'Joe", so I'll say 'his name starts with H or J'".
posted by DU at 7:57 AM on March 5, 2007
Isn't the secret of mind reading just being a somewhat skilled observer with a theatric delivery?
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:59 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:59 AM on March 5, 2007
Talk? Why not just have the keynote speaker stand at the podium and think hard?
posted by jonmc at 7:59 AM on March 5, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 7:59 AM on March 5, 2007 [1 favorite]
It hardly counts as "best of the web" if it's not even on the web.
posted by ook at 8:09 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by ook at 8:09 AM on March 5, 2007
Wouldn't this have been better posted a few days from now? That way, when it turns out this is just another dull lecture on the properties of digital roots, it could be omitted entirely.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:11 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:11 AM on March 5, 2007
Mathematically speaking, I think this post is substandard. There, I said it. Or did I?
posted by billysumday at 8:12 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by billysumday at 8:12 AM on March 5, 2007
In related news -- Scientists try to predict intentions
"Using brain scans to read minds before thoughts turn into actions."
posted by ericb at 8:15 AM on March 5, 2007
"Using brain scans to read minds before thoughts turn into actions."
posted by ericb at 8:15 AM on March 5, 2007
For my next trick, I'll demonstrate how simple telepathy can be used to perform effects that appear to involve mathematics.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:16 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:16 AM on March 5, 2007
No you wrote it. But first you thought it, and I knew you were going to do that. Oh, and say “Hi” to Sarah for me.
posted by MapGuy at 8:17 AM on March 5, 2007
posted by MapGuy at 8:17 AM on March 5, 2007
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posted by eustacescrubb at 7:48 AM on March 5, 2007