‘Sleight of Mind’ – Peter Turner
Having introduced at the outset of his talk some mind dazzling facts about the human brain, and skilfully got everyone trying impossible physical activities, Peter turned to his main task of fiendishly planting suggestions in the minds of his audience.
Brave volunteers were persuaded to be the subject of experiments. One was tasked with producing an ostensibly uniquely personal drawing, only to find it closely matched that done previously by Peter that was in a sealed envelope; another member agreed unreservedly to descriptive details of a photograph she was given, but which when shown by Peter to the audience was revealed to be of a completely different subject.
A penny coin, signed in full view, was bent by Peter rubbing it in the palm of a volunteer, leaving everyone doubting their own eyes.
The whole audience, by this time rapt if not a little fearful of what might come next, took part in following Peter’s instructions, or as we learnt to call them, auto-suggestions, with at one stage, extraordinarily, somewhere around 80% of the audience producing the same answer – Elephants in Denmark – to an apparently random, personal choice.
This fascinating, dynamic presentation from Peter was outstanding and much appreciated by members, who will no doubt be trying to grapple with the powers of auto suggestion for a long time to come.