Do you think it's possible to control someone's attention?
Do you think it's possible to control someone's attention?

Even more than that, what about predicting human behavior?
Even more than that, what about predicting human behavior?

I think those are interesting ideas.
I think those are interesting ideas.

For me, that would be the perfect superpower,
For me, that would be the perfect superpower,

actually kind of an evil way of approaching it.
actually kind of an evil way of approaching it.

But for myself, in the past, I've spent the last 20 years
But for myself, in the past, I've spent the last 20 years

studying human behavior from a rather unorthodox way:
studying human behavior from a rather unorthodox way:

picking pockets.
picking pockets.

When we think of misdirection,
When we think of misdirection,

we think of something as looking off to the side,
we think of something as looking off to the side,

when actually the things right in front of us
when actually the things right in front of us

are often the hardest to see,
are often the hardest to see,

the things that you look at every day that you're blinded to.
the things that you look at every day that you're blinded to.

For example, how many of you still have your cell phones on you right now?
For example, how many of you still have your cell phones on you right now?

Great. Double-check.
Great. Double-check.

Make sure you still have them.
Make sure you still have them.

I was doing some shopping before.
I was doing some shopping before.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

You've looked at them a few times today,
You've looked at them a few times today,

but I'll ask you a question.
but I'll ask you a question.

Without looking at it directly yet,
Without looking at it directly yet,

can you remember the icon in the bottom right corner?
can you remember the icon in the bottom right corner?

Bring them out, check and see how accurate you were.
Bring them out, check and see how accurate you were.

How'd you do?
How'd you do?

Show of hands. Did we get it?
Show of hands. Did we get it?

Now that you're done, close them down.
Now that you're done, close them down.

Every phone has something in common.
Every phone has something in common.

No matter how you organize the icons,
No matter how you organize the icons,

you still have a clock on the front.
you still have a clock on the front.

So, without looking at your phone, what time was it?
So, without looking at your phone, what time was it?

You just looked at your clock, right?
You just looked at your clock, right?

Interesting idea.
Interesting idea.

Let's take that a step further with a game of trust.
Let's take that a step further with a game of trust.

Close your eyes.
Close your eyes.

I realize I'm asking you to do that while you just heard
I realize I'm asking you to do that while you just heard

there's a pickpocket in the room, but close your eyes.
there's a pickpocket in the room, but close your eyes.

Now, you've been watching me for about 30 seconds.
Now, you've been watching me for about 30 seconds.

With your eyes closed, what am I wearing?
With your eyes closed, what am I wearing?

Make your best guess.
Make your best guess.

What color is my shirt? What color is my tie?
What color is my shirt? What color is my tie?

Now open your eyes.
Now open your eyes.

Show of hands, were you right?
Show of hands, were you right?

Interesting, isn't it?
Interesting, isn't it?

Some of us are a little bit more perceptive than others, it seems.
Some of us are a little bit more perceptive than others, it seems.

But I have a different theory about that model of attention.
But I have a different theory about that model of attention.

They have fancy models of attention, Posner's trinity model of attention.
They have fancy models of attention, Posner's trinity model of attention.

For me, I like to think of it very simple, like a surveillance system.
For me, I like to think of it very simple, like a surveillance system.

It's kind of like you have all these fancy sensors,
It's kind of like you have all these fancy sensors,

and inside your brain is a little security guard.
and inside your brain is a little security guard.

For me, I like to call him Frank.
For me, I like to call him Frank.

So Frank is sitting at a desk.
So Frank is sitting at a desk.

He's got lots of cool information in front of him,
He's got lots of cool information in front of him,

high-tech equipment, he's got cameras,
high-tech equipment, he's got cameras,

he's got a little phone that he can pick up, listen to the ears,
he's got a little phone that he can pick up, listen to the ears,

all these senses, all these perceptions.
all these senses, all these perceptions.

But attention is what steers your perceptions,
But attention is what steers your perceptions,

it's what controls your reality.
it's what controls your reality.

It's the gateway to the mind.
It's the gateway to the mind.

If you don't attend to something, you can't be aware of it.
If you don't attend to something, you can't be aware of it.

But ironically, you can attend to something without being aware of it.
But ironically, you can attend to something without being aware of it.

For example, the cocktail effect:
For example, the cocktail effect:

You're in a party, having conversations with someone,
You're in a party, having conversations with someone,

and yet you can recognize your name
and yet you can recognize your name

without realizing you were listening to that.
without realizing you were listening to that.

Now, for my job, I have to play with techniques to exploit this,
Now, for my job, I have to play with techniques to exploit this,

to play with your attention as a limited resource.
to play with your attention as a limited resource.

So if I could control how you spend your attention,
So if I could control how you spend your attention,

if I could maybe steal your attention through a distraction.
if I could maybe steal your attention through a distraction.

Now, instead of doing it like misdirection
Now, instead of doing it like misdirection

and throwing it off to the side,
and throwing it off to the side,

instead, what I choose to focus on is Frank,
instead, what I choose to focus on is Frank,

to be able to play with the Frank inside your head,
to be able to play with the Frank inside your head,

your security guard,
your security guard,

and get you, instead of focusing on your external senses,
and get you, instead of focusing on your external senses,

just to go internal for a second.
just to go internal for a second.

So if I ask you to access a memory, like, what is that?
So if I ask you to access a memory, like, what is that?

What just happened? Do you have a wallet?
What just happened? Do you have a wallet?

Do you have an American Express in your wallet?
Do you have an American Express in your wallet?

And when I do that, your Frank turns around.
And when I do that, your Frank turns around.

He accesses the file. He has to rewind the tape.
He accesses the file. He has to rewind the tape.

What's interesting is, he can't rewind the tape
What's interesting is, he can't rewind the tape

at the same time that he's trying to process new data.
at the same time that he's trying to process new data.

This sounds like a good theory,
This sounds like a good theory,

but I could talk for a long time, tell you lots of things,
but I could talk for a long time, tell you lots of things,

and a portion of them may be true,
and a portion of them may be true,

but I think it's better if I tried to show that to you here live.
but I think it's better if I tried to show that to you here live.

If I come down, I'm going to do a bit of shopping.
If I come down, I'm going to do a bit of shopping.

Just hold still where you are.
Just hold still where you are.

Hello, how are you? It's lovely to see you.
Hello, how are you? It's lovely to see you.

Wonderful job onstage.
Wonderful job onstage.

Lovely watch, it doesn't come off very well.
Lovely watch, it doesn't come off very well.

Do you have a ring as well?
Do you have a ring as well?

Good. Just taking inventory. You're like a buffet.
Good. Just taking inventory. You're like a buffet.

Hard to tell where to start, so many great things.
Hard to tell where to start, so many great things.

Hi, how are you? Good to see you.
Hi, how are you? Good to see you.

Hi, sir, could you stand up, please? Just right where you are.
Hi, sir, could you stand up, please? Just right where you are.

You're married, you follow directions well.
You're married, you follow directions well.

Nice to meet you, sir.
Nice to meet you, sir.

You don't have a lot in your pockets. Anything down here?
You don't have a lot in your pockets. Anything down here?

Hopefully so. Have a seat. There you go. You're doing well.
Hopefully so. Have a seat. There you go. You're doing well.

Hi, sir, how are you?
Hi, sir, how are you?

Good to see you, sir. You have a ring, a watch.
Good to see you, sir. You have a ring, a watch.

Do you have a wallet on you? Joe: I don't.
Do you have a wallet on you? Joe: I don't.

AR: Well, we'll find one for you. Come on up this way, Joe.
AR: Well, we'll find one for you. Come on up this way, Joe.

Give Joe a round of applause. Come on up, Joe. Let's play a game.
Give Joe a round of applause. Come on up, Joe. Let's play a game.

(Applause)
(Applause)

AR: Pardon me.
AR: Pardon me.

I don't think I need this clicker anymore.
I don't think I need this clicker anymore.

Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

Come on up to the stage, Joe. Let's play a little game now.
Come on up to the stage, Joe. Let's play a little game now.

Anything in your front pockets?
Anything in your front pockets?

J: Money.
J: Money.

AR: Money! All right, let's try that.
AR: Money! All right, let's try that.

Can you stand right over this way for me?
Can you stand right over this way for me?

Turn around and, let's see,
Turn around and, let's see,

if I give you something that belongs to me,
if I give you something that belongs to me,

this is just something I have,
this is just something I have,

a poker chip.
a poker chip.

Hold out your hand for me.
Hold out your hand for me.

Watch it closely.
Watch it closely.

This is a task for you to focus on.
This is a task for you to focus on.

You have your money in your front pocket?
You have your money in your front pocket?

J: Yup. AR: Good.
J: Yup. AR: Good.

I won't put my hand in your pocket. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment.
I won't put my hand in your pocket. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment.

Once a guy had a hole in his pocket,
Once a guy had a hole in his pocket,

and that was rather traumatizing for me.
and that was rather traumatizing for me.

I wanted his wallet, he gave me his number.
I wanted his wallet, he gave me his number.

Big miscommunication.
Big miscommunication.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

Let's do this simply. Squeeze your hand tight.
Let's do this simply. Squeeze your hand tight.

Do you feel the poker chip in your hand?
Do you feel the poker chip in your hand?

J: I do.
J: I do.

AR: Would you be surprised if I took it? Say yes.
AR: Would you be surprised if I took it? Say yes.

J: Very. AR: Good.
J: Very. AR: Good.

Open your hand. Thank you very much.
Open your hand. Thank you very much.

I'll cheat if you give me a chance.
I'll cheat if you give me a chance.

Make it harder for me. Just use your hand.
Make it harder for me. Just use your hand.

Grab my wrist, but squeeze, squeeze firm.
Grab my wrist, but squeeze, squeeze firm.

Did you see it go? Joe: No.
Did you see it go? Joe: No.

AR: No, it's not here. Open your hand.
AR: No, it's not here. Open your hand.

While we're focused on the hand, it's sitting on your shoulder.
While we're focused on the hand, it's sitting on your shoulder.

Go ahead and take it off.
Go ahead and take it off.

Now, let's try that again.
Now, let's try that again.

Hold your hand out flat. Open it up.
Hold your hand out flat. Open it up.

Put your hand up a little bit higher, but watch it close.
Put your hand up a little bit higher, but watch it close.

If I did it slowly, it'd be on your shoulder.
If I did it slowly, it'd be on your shoulder.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

Joe, we're going to keep doing this till you catch it.
Joe, we're going to keep doing this till you catch it.

You'll get it eventually. I have faith in you.
You'll get it eventually. I have faith in you.

Squeeze firm. You're human, you're not slow.
Squeeze firm. You're human, you're not slow.

It's back on your shoulder.
It's back on your shoulder.

You were focused on your hand, distracted.
You were focused on your hand, distracted.

While you were watching, I couldn't get your watch off.
While you were watching, I couldn't get your watch off.

Yet you had something inside your pocket.
Yet you had something inside your pocket.

Do you remember what it was?
Do you remember what it was?

J: Money.
J: Money.

AR: Check your pocket. Is it still there?
AR: Check your pocket. Is it still there?

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

Oh, there it was. Put it away.
Oh, there it was. Put it away.

We're just shopping.
We're just shopping.

This trick's more about the timing.
This trick's more about the timing.

I'm going to try to push it inside your hand.
I'm going to try to push it inside your hand.

Put your other hand on top, would you?
Put your other hand on top, would you?

It's amazingly obvious now, isn't it?
It's amazingly obvious now, isn't it?

Looks a lot like the watch I was wearing, doesn't it?
Looks a lot like the watch I was wearing, doesn't it?

(Laughter) (Applause)
(Laughter) (Applause)

J: That's pretty good. AR: Oh, thanks.
J: That's pretty good. AR: Oh, thanks.

(Applause)
(Applause)

But it's only a start. Let's try it a little bit differently.
But it's only a start. Let's try it a little bit differently.

Hold your hands together. Your other hand on top.
Hold your hands together. Your other hand on top.

If you're watching this little token,
If you're watching this little token,

this obviously has become a little target, like a red herring.
this obviously has become a little target, like a red herring.

If we watch this kind of close, it looks like it goes away.
If we watch this kind of close, it looks like it goes away.

It's not back on your shoulder.
It's not back on your shoulder.

It falls out of the air, lands right back in the hand.
It falls out of the air, lands right back in the hand.

Did you see it go?
Did you see it go?

Yeah, funny. We've got a little guy. He's union, works up there all day.
Yeah, funny. We've got a little guy. He's union, works up there all day.

If I do it slowly it goes straight away, it lands by your pocket.
If I do it slowly it goes straight away, it lands by your pocket.

Is it in this pocket, sir?
Is it in this pocket, sir?

Don't reach in your pocket. That's a different show.
Don't reach in your pocket. That's a different show.

(Squeaking)
(Squeaking)

That's rather strange. They have shots for that.
That's rather strange. They have shots for that.

Can I show them? Rather bizarre. Is this yours, sir?
Can I show them? Rather bizarre. Is this yours, sir?

I have no idea how that works. We'll send that over there.
I have no idea how that works. We'll send that over there.

I need help with this one.
I need help with this one.

Step over this way for me.
Step over this way for me.

Don't run away. You had something down by your pants pocket.
Don't run away. You had something down by your pants pocket.

I was checking mine. I couldn't find everything,
I was checking mine. I couldn't find everything,

but I noticed you had something here.
but I noticed you had something here.

Can I feel the outside for a moment?
Can I feel the outside for a moment?

Down here I noticed this. Is this something of yours, sir?
Down here I noticed this. Is this something of yours, sir?

I have no idea. That's a shrimp.
I have no idea. That's a shrimp.

J: Yeah. I'm saving it for later.
J: Yeah. I'm saving it for later.

AR: You've entertained all of these people in a wonderful way,
AR: You've entertained all of these people in a wonderful way,

better than you know.
better than you know.

So we'd love to give you this lovely watch as a gift.
So we'd love to give you this lovely watch as a gift.

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

Hopefully it matches his taste.
Hopefully it matches his taste.

We have a couple of other things,
We have a couple of other things,

a little bit of cash.
a little bit of cash.

And we have a few other things,
And we have a few other things,

these all belong to you,
these all belong to you,

along with a big round of applause from all your friends.
along with a big round of applause from all your friends.

(Applause)
(Applause)

Joe, thank you very much.
Joe, thank you very much.

(Applause)
(Applause)

(Applause ends)
(Applause ends)

So, same question I asked you before,
So, same question I asked you before,

but this time you don't have to close your eyes.
but this time you don't have to close your eyes.

What am I wearing?
What am I wearing?

Audience: Oh!
Audience: Oh!

(Laughter)
(Laughter)

(Hesitant applause)
(Hesitant applause)

(Applause ends)
(Applause ends)

Attention is a powerful thing.
Attention is a powerful thing.

Like I said, it shapes your reality.
Like I said, it shapes your reality.

So, I guess I'd like to pose that question to you.
So, I guess I'd like to pose that question to you.

If you could control somebody's attention,
If you could control somebody's attention,

what would you do with it?
what would you do with it?

Thank you.
Thank you.

(Applause)
(Applause)