Subject: Re: Magic?
Mon May 04 17:07:14 1998



>I came across this today. Can someone explain 
>how it is done?
>
>http://www.gis.net/webdesign/un.html


magician's force.. 

if you write down the set of cards that appear on the opening
page, and compare them the the cards on the page you eventually
get redirected to, *none* of the original cards are repeated.  
they use a very restricted set of cards values on both pages..
all kings & queens, for example.. and a similar red/black
distribution, but the exact cards are always different.

nobody is anal enough to memorize all the cards they see, and as
long as the second version looks basically the same as the first
one, the average person will automatically make the conceptual
leap and assume that the remaining cards are the same as they
were before.


i was introduced to this one about a month ago, by the sysad who
works here.. he's young, and not quite as perceptive as i'd
prefer.   when i explained it to him, i think my exact words
were:

   "if you look at it carefully, none of the cards are repeated on
    the second page.   if you look even more carefully, you'll see
    the two VPs who approve our budget sitting over on the other
    side of the room, watching you instead of the product demo
    they're supposed to be thrilled with.   if you look *really*
    carefully, you'll notice that it looks like you're sitting here
    playing video poker when you're supposed to be working.   shut
    down the f*cking browser and look like you're doing something to
    justify your existence.. 'kay?"


:-P