I Can Read Your Mind

Explore the intriguing world of psychological manipulation techniques in this 53-minute conference talk from Security BSides San Francisco. Delve into the common methods employed by con artists, psychics, spiritualists, and salespeople, covering a range of topics including cold and warm reading, subtle expressions, Barnum statements, selective memory, and body language interpretation. Learn how cold reading works and why it's effective, understand the application of warm reading, and gain insights into contextual body language analysis. Discover the use of "hooks" like Tarot cards, identify verbal techniques used in these practices, and acquire practical skills to apply these methods. By the end of the talk, gain the knowledge to recognize and potentially employ these persuasive techniques, equipping yourself with a deeper understanding of psychological manipulation in various contexts.