Derren Brown: The Events – How to Be a Psychic Spy

On September 25, Derren Brown conducted a groundbreaking nationwide experiment in remote viewing, inspired by the CIA’s classified Stargate Project. This fascinating ability allows individuals to perceive and describe hidden objects. During the experiment, the curator of the Science Museum created a simple painting, which was then covered and displayed for a week. Visitors were invited to draw what they believed was depicted on the canvas.

Brown replicated this experience with a live audience at the museum and viewers at home. The most common drawings included trains, Stonehenge, horses, and concentric circles. Remarkably, 30% to 35% of participants sketched some variation of concentric circles, which was ultimately revealed to be the actual design on the canvas. In a surprising twist, the second most frequent drawing was Stonehenge, with about 10% of participants choosing this iconic monument. It was disclosed that the painter had been at Stonehenge during the show, envisioning it as inspiration for the abstract concentric circles.

As the show concluded, Brown disclosed that the entire event had been pre-recorded three weeks earlier. He had strategically placed advertisements in major newspapers on the day of the broadcast, subtly influencing viewers to draw concentric circles. The program also employed techniques to further encourage this specific drawing, though no explanation was provided for the prevalence of horses and trains in the participants’ sketches.