Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 1)

Prescience

In this first issue of the second volume of The Journal of Psience, we present a dependable method for the classic Headline Prediction effect, originally developed by Michael Weber in 1996. With over thirty years of experience in performing Prescience, we have refined the technique to enhance its security while maintaining its powerful impact on audiences.

Consider this: If you can predict the future, are you truly demonstrating mind reading, or are you merely revealing outcomes you’ve already anticipated?

We believe the frequent misuse of Headline Predictions stems from many magicians avoiding the challenging task of addressing these questions and adapting their performances accordingly.

This material is intended solely for your performance use and should not be showcased on television, cable, YouTube, or any other broadcast or live-streamed format.

Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 2)

“I get by with a little help from my friends.” — John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Terms like “Accomplice,” “Mule,” and “Stooge” refer to specific types of secret assistants. Some performers rely heavily on these helpers, while others avoid them entirely. This issue explores a balanced approach, where the occasional use of a spectator as a participant can yield impressive and perplexing results. We will examine innovative methods for silently encoding information through actions and positioning, as well as a technique that intentionally creates a moment of genuine difficulty to enhance the credibility of a seemingly successful outcome.

“House Seats” are designated spots in a theater reserved for cast members and production staff. In this edition, discover how the seating arrangement of one individual can reveal insights into another audience member’s thoughts.

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Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 3)

As I write this, much of the world has been in quarantine for over six months, with no clear end in sight. Many mentalists and mind readers have adapted by offering distanced performances via video platforms like Zoom.

Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 4)

We admit…

This remote interaction has left us eagerly awaiting the time when we can physically engage with our spectators again.

In celebration of the return to hands-on magic, we are thrilled to share a personal favorite we’ve kept under wraps.

The concept originated from experimenting with the folded Keno ticket force. Our initial trials revealed that the digits did not need to be in sequential order for the method to succeed. These explorations led to our commercial release, Lucky Numbers.

This prompted us to consider, “What if the elements involved were not just numbers, but letters?”

The result was a method allowing spectators to make a series of free choices (folding paper, selecting letters to pierce, arranging the resulting letters to form a word) while still achieving a secretly knowable outcome, ideal for an apparent mind reading demonstration.

Next, we thoroughly analyzed the remaining elements on the page. By adapting a clever technique pioneered by Ned Rutledge, we created a single page that appears to be torn from a puzzle book, enabling us to present various thought-reading demonstrations with one, two, or three participants.

We recommend printing the puzzle page to follow along with the materials. When performing for an audience, consider printing it on newsprint and adding a convincing image to the reverse side of your prop to enhance the illusion of an innocent page from a puzzle book.

Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 5)

This issue offers new insights into [Mark] Elsdon’s original method and presentation for Tequila Hustler. Upon reaching out to Mark for his approval, he not only agreed but generously provided a complimentary digital copy of his manuscript for every Journal subscriber.

Additionally, Mark shares a previously unpublished collection of his latest notes, thoughts, and enhancements to his original Tequila Hustler.

Michael Weber The Journal of Psience (Vol 2 Issue 6)

This edition features a unique effect related to Add-a-No, grounded in a surprising yet genuine aspect of social science. Alongside the presentational framework, we introduce a new and deceptive element of honesty, along with a series of enhancements to a modern classic of calculated deception.

“You have taken something TOXIC and made it even deadlier!”