Derren Brown is a well-known British illusionist and mentalist who has gained worldwide recognition for his unique mix of psychology, showmanship, and magic. Born on February 27, 1971, in London, England, Brown has established himself as one of the most influential and acclaimed magicians of his generation. Brown's interest in magic and illusion began at a young age when he received a magic set as a gift. This sparked his fascination with the power of the mind and led him to study hypnosis and psychology. Brown's background in psychology has been instrumental in shaping his performances and creating a perception of supernatural abilities. One of Brown's trademark qualities is his ability to blend mind-reading, suggestion, and psychological manipulation to create mind-bending experiences for his audience.
From the man who coined the term net neutrality and who has made significant contributions to our understanding of antitrust policy and wireless communications, comes a call for tighter antitrust enforcement and an end to corporate bigness.
In The Curse of Bigness , Tim Wu, special assistant to President Biden for technology and competition policy, explains how figures like Brandeis and Theodore Roosevelt first confronted the democratic threats posed by the great trusts of the Gilded Age--but the lessons of the Progressive Era were forgotten in the last 40 years. Together with President Theodore Roosevelt, who put enforcement muscle behind the Sherman Act, they persuasively argued that monopolistic practices are inefficient, stifle innovation as well as competition, and court abusive practices against workers.
One of Brown's trademark qualities is his ability to blend mind-reading, suggestion, and psychological manipulation to create mind-bending experiences for his audience. He is highly skilled at reading and interpreting body language, verbal cues, and unconscious signals, allowing him to astound and confuse his viewers. Over the years, Brown has developed a wide range of shows, live performances, and television specials that have captivated audiences around the world.
THE CURSE OF BIGNESS
A valuable briefing on an underappreciated business problem, but it could use a bit of Roosevelt’s hard-nosed attitude.
Should Amazon and Google be broken up like Standard Oil? Yes, argues legal scholar Wu (Columbia Law School; The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads, 2016, etc.), but breaking up is hard to do.
The problem is a decadeslong warping of antitrust law, which the author details in this half history, half polemic book. The title comes from a phrase coined by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, who agitated against Gilded Age monopolists like John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan. Together with President Theodore Roosevelt, who put enforcement muscle behind the Sherman Act, they persuasively argued that monopolistic practices are inefficient, stifle innovation as well as competition, and court abusive practices against workers. (Think of AT&T, Wu suggests, a longtime state-sanctioned monopoly whose breakup cleared the way for the mainstream internet.) For much of the 20th century, Brandeis' view was accepted regulatory practice, until the arrival in the 1960s of Robert Bork, who, as a federal judge, prescribed an exceedingly narrow interpretation of the Sherman Act: So long as consumer prices didn’t rise, no conglomerate qualified as a monopoly, regardless of market share. The Borkian argument, however far afield from Sherman’s intent, is now gospel, Wu writes, rendering Security and Exchange Commission antitrust regulators toothless. This has allowed Google to bloat with buyouts—though, as Wu points out, it was a beneficiary of antitrust enforcement against Microsoft—developing unchecked acquisitive instincts that have eliminated competitors, with Facebook and Amazon following its lead. The author convincingly draws parallels between the new “tech trusts” and the Gilded Age titans, but one wishes for more fire in the argument: Wu’s background about Brandeis is important, but the modern implications could be better woven into his narrative. As it is, his strongest cases for breaking up Google are tucked into dry concluding policy prescriptions.
A valuable briefing on an underappreciated business problem, but it could use a bit of Roosevelt’s hard-nosed attitude.
Pub Date: Nov. 13, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-9997454-6-5
Page Count: 170
Publisher: Columbia Global Reports
“Persuasive and brilliantly written, the book is especially timely given the rise of trillion-dollar tech companies.” —Publishers Weekly
His TV series "Derren Brown: Mind Control" and "Trick or Treat" showcased his abilities to influence and manipulate the thoughts and actions of people. In addition to his live performances and TV shows, Brown has also written several books exploring the science and art behind his mind-bending tricks. His books, such as "Tricks of the Mind" and "Confessions of a Conjuror," give readers an insight into his techniques and offer a behind-the-scenes look into the world of magic and illusion. While some may dismiss Brown's abilities as mere trickery or illusion, his performances have drawn attention from psychologists and skeptics alike. Many theorize that he uses a combination of psychological persuasion, suggestion, and showmanship to create his seemingly impossible feats. Derren Brown's unique blend of magic and psychology has earned him numerous accolades and awards throughout his career. He has performed sell-out shows in theaters and venues worldwide, captivating audiences with his mind-bending tricks and seemingly supernatural abilities. In conclusion, Derren Brown is a renowned illusionist and mentalist known for his remarkable ability to blend psychology, persuasion, and magic. His performances continue to challenge and captivate audiences, leaving them questioning the limits of the human mind..
Reviews for "Decoding the Illusions of Derren Brown: A Journey into the Unknown"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown. I had heard so many great things about his work, but this book just didn't live up to the hype. The concepts were confusing and poorly explained, and the tricks seemed more like cheap gimmicks than actual magic. I struggled to follow along and felt frustrated by the lack of clarity in the instructions. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and money.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown to be incredibly pretentious and lacking in substance. It felt like Brown was more interested in stroking his own ego than actually teaching anything useful. The concepts he introduced were convoluted and difficult to grasp, and the explanations were vague and poorly written. I was hoping to learn some new magic tricks, but instead, I was left feeling confused and unimpressed. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As a fan of Derren Brown, I was excited to read "Absolute Magic," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed more like a collection of ramblings and personal anecdotes than an actual guide to magic. The tricks that were explained lacked clear instructions and left me feeling frustrated. The whole book lacked structure and coherence, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Amanda - 3 stars - While "Absolute Magic" by Derren Brown had some interesting ideas, it was not what I was expecting. The book delved into psychological theories and concepts more than teaching practical magic tricks. While this may be appealing to some, I was hoping for more of a hands-on guide. The few tricks that were explained felt rushed and not fully developed. I appreciated the thought-provoking aspects of the book, but as someone looking to learn magic tricks, I was left wanting more.