Really sorry I missed this event!

One of the guys at MLA (thanks, Badger!) sent me a link to a wonderful sounding conference in the USA, where the link between Magic and Consciousness research got explored.

The Magic of Consciousness Symposium
@
The Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness

Look at this line-up!

Teller, of Penn & Teller, will discuss the mechanisms of:
“Disguising one action as another”
Such as the difference between motion and action (“Action is motion with a purpose”)

Apollo Robbins, Professional Thief and Pickpocket, who successfully pickpocketed the presidential secret service guarding Jimmy Carter, will discuss:
“Misdirection is the story that you make them remember”
Or how the audience believes what they are tricked into believing, despite evidence to the contrary

Mac King, headliner at Harrah's on The Strip, will speak about why:
“It’s a bad idea to do the same trick twice”
And why magicians never announce their tricks in advance

James Randi, aka The Amaz!ng Randi, and Founder of the James Randi Foundation will present:
“Implying data that isn’t there”
Or how an audience can be lulled into eagerly accepting suggestions and unspoken information

Johnny Thompson, from The Great Tomsoni and Co. will talk about:
“Closing all the doors”
Or the importance of reducing all potential explanations to nothing but magic

And here's an article about attending it, from the NY Times.