The Macknik laboratory is dedicated to studying the neural underpinnings of visual and sensory awareness and perception. A number of neurobiological techniques are employed so as to study the neural correlates of sensory experience, such as psychophysics (quantified measurements of behavior), electrophysiology of neuronal activity, and brain imaging such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and macroscopic as well as microscopic optical imaging. A special interest in the laboratory is the study of microscopic blood flow driven by perception and awareness, and occurring during disease states.
RECENT EVENTS
The Magic of Consciousness
Magic and the brain
By investigating the techniques of magic, neuroscientists can familiarize themselves with methods that they can adapt to their own purposes. Indeed, we believe that cognitive neuroscience could have advanced faster had investigators probed magicians' intuitions earlier. Even today magicians may have a few tricks up their sleeves that neuroscientists have not yet adopted.
While a magician works, the mind does the tricks
Attention and awareness in stage magic: turning tricks into research featured on the cover of The New York Times , with a full article in the Science Section and an audio extract from The New York Times Science Podcast.
The New York TimesAugust 12, 2008
Attention and awareness in stage magic: turning tricks into research
Magic tricks require the manipulation of the audience's attention and awareness. Stephen Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde and their magician co-authors describe the visual and cognitive illusions that underlie many magic tricks, and the techniques that magicians use to achieve these illusions.
See clips of The Magic of Consciousness symposium now available on the Mind Science Foundation website:
- Teller of “Penn and Teller” TALKS… about magic, consciousness and the art of visual illusion!
- Apollo Robbins pickpockets New York Times writer George Johnson!
- The Amazing Randi pulls a “fast-one” on philosopher Dan Dennett!
- The Amazing Randi Introduces the Magic of Illusion!
- Mac King Rocks Out!
- The Great Tomsoni Seduces the Eyes!
Mind tricks: cognitive scientists take a lesson from magicians
Teller, the mute half of the magician duo Penn & Teller, apparently pulls a coin out of thin air for the umpteenth time. The audience breaks into applause. It’s another great performance in Las Vegas, Nevada — only tonight, Teller is part of a special symposium hosted by the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, bringing together magicians and cognitive scientists.
Nature, July 26, 2007
