We say “almost,” because like many of the bets in Richard Wiseman’s earlier bar-trick videos, a few of these are liable to get you punched in the face. (I’m looking at you, #4. Ten to ten? Really?)
That being said, some of these are actually pretty clever. Flipping your friend’s glass over so she can’t get to her drink relies on pressure and surface tension. Removing an ice cube with string is possible thanks to a phenomenon known as freezing point depression. (When the salt hits the ice it lowers the melting point of the solid, allowing the string to sink ever so slightly into the cube. Shortly thereafter, the path taken by the string freezes back over, trapping the string inside.) And we’re particularly fond of the topological tricks behind #3 (coin through paper) and #2 (freeing the roped scissors).
My students at the university will recognize most of these from the bar bets and common cons and scams unit from my communication courses.
Speaking of social influence and hypnosis, you can learn a whole slew of new techniques by checking out our video training programs in hypnosis which are in general release.
If you’re in Taipei and interested in hypnosis, check the services page linked to in the top left sidebar. Not in Taipei? Check the store for recordings in the same menu area as well as links to lots and lots of info and goodies. Of course, browsing this site will bring you to a digital ton of positive resources on a wide variety of topics as well.
All the best,
Brian
www.BrianDavidPhillips.net