#85: Neuromagic & Illusion - Stephen Macknik, PhD & Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD

#85: Neuromagic & Illusion - Stephen Macknik, PhD & Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD

Author: FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training January 4, 2022 Duration: 54:07

Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde and Dr. Stephen Macknik are neuroscientists who specialize in the science of magic and illusion.

Both are professors of ophthalmology, neurology, and physiology & pharmacology at the Downstate Medical Center.

Together they pioneered the study of various aspects of magic such as perception, cognitive illusion, and attentional misdirection.

On this episode, we discuss how magic tricks fool the brain, why everyday life is an illusion, what neuroscientists and magicians can learn from each other and much more.

FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
Website: www.fitmind.com

Show Notes

0:00 | Intro to Stephen Macknik, PhD & Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD

8:00 | How Magic Hacks Our Minds

13:00 | What Neuroscientists Learn from Magicians

15:54 | What Magicians Learn from Neuroscientists

17:24 | Testing Attention Manipulation 

22:25 | Cognition & Calculation

25:36 | How Our Brains Construct Reality

28:27 | Vision Produces Our Changing Realities

29:53 | Microsaccades Explained

32:58 | Brain on Autopilot

35:50 | Expertise as an Unconscious Process

40:46 | Magic for Kids vs. Magic for Adults

43:43 | Is Magic Still Enjoyable When You Know the Tricks?

48:24 | Rapid Fire Questions


What if the most impactful training you could do wasn't for your body, but for your mind? The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology explores that very idea, moving beyond simple self-help to examine the tangible science behind cognitive well-being. Host Liam McClintock, founder of FitMind, sits down with an eclectic mix of world-class experts-neuroscientists mapping the brain's pathways, psychologists unpacking behavioral patterns, Buddhist monks with millennia of contemplative wisdom, and elite athletes who apply mental discipline at the highest levels. Their conversations delve into practical applications of mindfulness meditation, the principles of Stoicism, emerging brain technologies, and the pursuit of sustainable productivity and happiness. This isn't just theoretical discussion; it's a deep dive into actionable strategies, grounded in research, aimed at strengthening your mental resilience. Each episode serves as a session for your cognitive toolkit, reflecting the core belief that understanding and training the mind is our most vital frontier. Tune in to this podcast for a thoughtful, evidence-based guide to building a healthier, more focused, and resilient inner life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology
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