Derren Brown has become one of the world’s most famous magicians and psychological illusionists, rivalling the likes of David Blaine and David Copperfield. Sir David Frost talked to him about his new show Enigma.

I reply to a video where it seems Derren Brown hypnotizes a man into willfully giving up his belongings. I give an explanation for how this might have been done. Watch the referenced video first: www.youtube.com (Here’s the original video link but seems to have died): www.youtube.com Notes on a few things: – I noticed in the video I keep saying “pattern break” while “pattern interrupt” is the more common term. – In asking the man directions he distracts him, but more specifically it causes the man to enter an altered state where he internally processes for an answer. Like with the handshake interrupt this puts the man out of his conscious mode and invokes a short trance state. Google “transderivational search” for more info. – Giving the man the bottle is additionally a persuasion technique… I give you something first, then you give me something. NOTICE: My use of the Derren Brown copyrighted video material is strictly limited and is used for critical analysis. Such limited use is considered “Fair Use” under US Copyright law.

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