This article was taken from the March 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Enliven parties by convincing guests you are psychic. Richard Wiseman, psychologist and author of Paranormality: Why We See What Isn't There<span class="s1">, offers three science-based tricks.
Gain telekinetic power
For the first trick, you'll need a plastic straw, a bottle and a table. Before you begin, stealthily rub your feet on the carpet to build up a static charge. Then balance the straw horizontally across the top of the bottle. "Announce that you have acquired some very odd paranormal powers, place your right hand three centimetres away from one end of the straw, and rub your fingers together," instructs Wiseman. "The straw will magically rotate on the bottle top, moving towards your fingers."
Create a magic finger
Ask a volunteer to extend her right hand, fingers pointing up.
Clasp her right hand with your left, palms together, fingers interlaced. Extend the index fingers so that they touch along their length. Now ask her to stroke either side of this "double finger" with the thumb running over her right index finger, and her left index along your left index. "Her brain sees what it believes to be her left index finger being stroked, but feels nothing, and thinks the finger must be numb."
Summon terrifying visions
Ask a friend to stand about 50cm in front of a large mirror. Place a candle directly behind them and turn off the lights. According to Italian psychologist Giovanni Caputo, about 70 per cent of people will see their face become horribly distorted. "The effect is said to be enhanced if your friend chants the words 'Bloody Mary' 13 times," says Wiseman. Researchers are unsure as to exactly why, but the procedure prevents the brain "binding" the different features into a single image.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
