We perform security theater daily. We update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, install VPNs, use encrypted messaging apps. We do these things because we’ve been told they make us “secure.” But what if I told you that despite all of this, you’re almost certainly compromised already—and that accepting this might actually be the most rational security posture?
Continue reading “Maybe We Should Just Accept We’re Compromised”The Trust Problem: Why You Can’t Always Trust the Software You Run
We rely on software every day, and we usually assume that if a major company releases a program, it must be safe. But there’s a famous concept in computer science that shows exactly why that trust can be easily broken, even by the most well-meaning developers.
It all comes down to a fundamental question: How do you verify the tools that build the software?
Continue reading “The Trust Problem: Why You Can’t Always Trust the Software You Run”Controlling a Card to Position 27: Two Methods from Ed Marlo
Here are two techniques for controlling a spectator’s selected card to the 27th position in the deck, based on ideas from Ed Marlo.
Continue reading “Controlling a Card to Position 27: Two Methods from Ed Marlo”Self working card trick
I am a fan of Matt McGurk and his youtube channel where he teaches self-working card tricks. Here is one of them:
Continue reading “Self working card trick”The Automatic Placement (Ed Marlo)
I love this math principal. This version was in THE
“WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF EAS Y-TO-DO IMPROMPTU CARD MAGIC” compiled by Aldo Colombini and published in 2003.
The Last Trick of Dr. Daley extended.
While teaching a student the Elmsley count as a setup for “The Last Trick of Dr. Daley,” I made an interesting mathematical observation. Starting with the four aces in Black, Black, Red, Red order (face down), the Elmsley count creates a predictable cycle:
- First count: B,B,R,R → B,R,B,R
- Second count: B,R,B,R → B,R,R,B
- Third count: B,R,R,B → B,B,R,R (back to start)
This three-count cycle became the foundation for a routine that provides for a two phase Daley effect.
Continue reading “The Last Trick of Dr. Daley extended.”Dai Vernon’s Slap Trick
This is basically a “Card at any number” trick that I found in a book:The Vernon Chronicles — Volume 2: More Lost Inner Secrets. (1988), by Stephen Minch,published as “The Slap Trick” Stephen Minch,’
Continue reading “Dai Vernon’s Slap Trick”Just a second, a five handed poker stack with Faros
I recently wrote about using two Faro shuffles and an overhand shuffle to stack four aces for a five handed game of poker. (Obviously for a magic/gambling demonstration.) I kept playing around and here is another variation using second deals instead of an overhand shuffle.
Continue reading “Just a second, a five handed poker stack with Faros”Milking the Faro, 5 hand poker stack
This is something I am playing with. Start with four aces on top of the deck. Perform two in faros, which stack the aces for a four handed game. Now you can show the top three cards and the bottom three cards to the spectator to show that the deck is “well shuffled”.
Continue reading “Milking the Faro, 5 hand poker stack”Prior Commitment simulator
Simon Aronson published a great card trick titled Prior Commitment first published in his book Simply Simon in 1995. This book is a collection of Aronson’s original card magic and includes detailed explanations of his principles, including the Undo Influence that powers Prior Commitment.
Prior Commitment was performed on Penn & Teller: Fool Us by British mentalist Graham Jolley, and it successfully fooled them.
Continue reading “Prior Commitment simulator”