Dr Matt L Tompkins
@mattltompkins.bsky.social
Experimental Psychologist at Lund University's Choice Blindness Lab. Magician. Author.
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
In case you need any last minute Christmas gift ideas. Give it to anyone who either believes or refuses to believe that people can fall for a robot or an AI companion.
Wondering what to get the person who has everything for Christmas? Might I suggest my book: a pop-sci foray into love, sex, history, psychology, philosophy, AI, and robots? Still timely, still relevant. Described by one reviewer as “not enough tentacle porn”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/turned-on...
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/turned-on...
Turned On
'Illuminating, witty and written with a wide open mind' - Sunday TimesAn exploration of humans, sexuality, interaction and technology through the lens of the se…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In case you need any last minute Christmas gift ideas. Give it to anyone who either believes or refuses to believe that people can fall for a robot or an AI companion.
New SoMA Newsletter: Glad Lucia! A digital advent calendar + new papers and books
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Glad Lucia from SoMA
+ SoM News: Digital Advent Calendar, Papers, and Books
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
New SoMA Newsletter: Glad Lucia! A digital advent calendar + new papers and books
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Open PhD Position at Lund University that could accommodate a Science of Magic Project (Deadline Dec 20)
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Open PhD Position at Lund University that could accommodate a Science of Magic Project (Deadline Dec 20)
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Nice write up of my event @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social w/@drkatedevlin.bsky.social, where we discussed how the science of magic/illusion can be applied to psychological research on AI and neurotechnology
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/digital...
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/digital...
Digital Futures Institute explores AI's impact on literature and connection to magic
The Digital Futures Institute presented two panels at the King’s Festival of Artificial Intelligence.
www.kcl.ac.uk
July 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Nice write up of my event @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social w/@drkatedevlin.bsky.social, where we discussed how the science of magic/illusion can be applied to psychological research on AI and neurotechnology
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/digital...
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/digital...
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Then on Friday evening, find out about the link between magic, brains and AI with @mattltompkins.bsky.social:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/magic...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/magic...
Magic, Minds, and the Mysteries of AI
Step into a world where magic and technology collide in a fascinating exploration of AI and deception.
www.kcl.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Then on Friday evening, find out about the link between magic, brains and AI with @mattltompkins.bsky.social:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/magic...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/magic...
New SoMA Newsletter: Happy Maundy Thursday! Ft. Witches, Tarot Exhibits, New Publications, A Book Review, Podcasts, and Philosophy Debates: open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
April 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
New SoMA Newsletter: Happy Maundy Thursday! Ft. Witches, Tarot Exhibits, New Publications, A Book Review, Podcasts, and Philosophy Debates: open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
My review of 'Conjuring The Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums' is live on @spr1882.bsky.social (w/thanks to @nemomorck.bsky.social for inviting me to write this) spr.ac.uk/node/19583
March 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
My review of 'Conjuring The Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums' is live on @spr1882.bsky.social (w/thanks to @nemomorck.bsky.social for inviting me to write this) spr.ac.uk/node/19583
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
I currently have two fully-funded PhD opportunities in my lab - both providing a chance to work on the incredible LEAF data set that we have been collecting the last couple of years (220 children followed longitudinally from 10-30 months on measures of attention and early EF). Please share!
March 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I currently have two fully-funded PhD opportunities in my lab - both providing a chance to work on the incredible LEAF data set that we have been collecting the last couple of years (220 children followed longitudinally from 10-30 months on measures of attention and early EF). Please share!
Science of Magic Association January Newsletter open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
January 5, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Science of Magic Association January Newsletter open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Edgar being festive
December 20, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Edgar being festive
New SoMA Newsletter: Post Conference Updates and Eyeball Gouging Celebrations open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
December 16, 2024 at 3:01 PM
New SoMA Newsletter: Post Conference Updates and Eyeball Gouging Celebrations open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
And we're off! The Science of Magic Conference has begun. @mattltompkins.bsky.social leads off with a historical overview of interaction between science and magic. #SoMA24
November 12, 2024 at 5:48 PM
And we're off! The Science of Magic Conference has begun. @mattltompkins.bsky.social leads off with a historical overview of interaction between science and magic. #SoMA24
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
I was too distracted to make social media posts yesterday. It was an amazing first day of the Science of Magic Conference! Here's some documentation. #SoMA24
November 13, 2024 at 2:27 PM
I was too distracted to make social media posts yesterday. It was an amazing first day of the Science of Magic Conference! Here's some documentation. #SoMA24
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
I was trying to think of my favourite HP page. It could be this.
It discusses infrasound creating visual distortions, we use the Herman grid illusion to create said visual distortions, the effect is entirely tied into the medium and it has this elegant (if I do say so), spooky astronaut sequence.
It discusses infrasound creating visual distortions, we use the Herman grid illusion to create said visual distortions, the effect is entirely tied into the medium and it has this elegant (if I do say so), spooky astronaut sequence.
October 20, 2024 at 7:37 AM
I was trying to think of my favourite HP page. It could be this.
It discusses infrasound creating visual distortions, we use the Herman grid illusion to create said visual distortions, the effect is entirely tied into the medium and it has this elegant (if I do say so), spooky astronaut sequence.
It discusses infrasound creating visual distortions, we use the Herman grid illusion to create said visual distortions, the effect is entirely tied into the medium and it has this elegant (if I do say so), spooky astronaut sequence.
SoMA September Newsletter: Conference Updates, New Books, a Paper, and a Podcast
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
SoMA September Newsletter
Conference Updates, New Books, a Paper, & a Podcast
open.substack.com
September 5, 2024 at 12:51 PM
SoMA September Newsletter: Conference Updates, New Books, a Paper, and a Podcast
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Delighted to debut the new poster for our upcoming conference: scienceofmagicassoc.org/home#confere...
(Art created by the amazing Kyla Moffatt kylamoffatt.com)
(Art created by the amazing Kyla Moffatt kylamoffatt.com)
August 21, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Delighted to debut the new poster for our upcoming conference: scienceofmagicassoc.org/home#confere...
(Art created by the amazing Kyla Moffatt kylamoffatt.com)
(Art created by the amazing Kyla Moffatt kylamoffatt.com)
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Cognition folks: I REALLY love teaching about the mental imagery debate. Even though I tend to live on the propositional code side of the debate, much of my discussion is about analog code. I've never found a reading that focuses on propositional code and that's accessible to undergrads. Any help?
August 14, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Cognition folks: I REALLY love teaching about the mental imagery debate. Even though I tend to live on the propositional code side of the debate, much of my discussion is about analog code. I've never found a reading that focuses on propositional code and that's accessible to undergrads. Any help?
Reminder about the Early Registration Deadline for SoMA 2024 + A Preview of Coming Attractions (i.e. all confirmed presenter abstracts)
You have until August 17 to take advantage of the discount!
t.co/Aw2DnQJKsQ
You have until August 17 to take advantage of the discount!
t.co/Aw2DnQJKsQ
Reminder about the Early Registration Deadline for SoMA 2024 + A Preview of Coming Attractions
Hi all,
t.co
August 13, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Reminder about the Early Registration Deadline for SoMA 2024 + A Preview of Coming Attractions (i.e. all confirmed presenter abstracts)
You have until August 17 to take advantage of the discount!
t.co/Aw2DnQJKsQ
You have until August 17 to take advantage of the discount!
t.co/Aw2DnQJKsQ
DEADLINE Reminder: SoMA 2024 Conference Presentation Proposals Due July 14! open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
July 10, 2024 at 5:59 PM
DEADLINE Reminder: SoMA 2024 Conference Presentation Proposals Due July 14! open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
SoMA Newsletter July 2024: Deadlines for Conference Abstracts, New Interview Series, & Two New Stories
HT @annamerlan.bsky.social @magictony.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
HT @annamerlan.bsky.social @magictony.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
SoMA Newsletter July 2024
Deadline reminder, an interview series, and new articles on magic
open.substack.com
July 2, 2024 at 6:31 PM
SoMA Newsletter July 2024: Deadlines for Conference Abstracts, New Interview Series, & Two New Stories
HT @annamerlan.bsky.social @magictony.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
HT @annamerlan.bsky.social @magictony.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/scienceo...
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Today in delightful: I got to write about John Gaughan, a legendary magic builder and inventor who has a semi-secret museum of magic history in the back of his shop. www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a...
A Magical Mystery Tour in L.A.
After a lifetime of building illusions for the world’s greatest sleight-of-hand performers—and curating a museum full of priceless automata—John Gaughan takes a modest bow.
www.altaonline.com
June 24, 2024 at 3:21 PM
Today in delightful: I got to write about John Gaughan, a legendary magic builder and inventor who has a semi-secret museum of magic history in the back of his shop. www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a...
New SoMA Newsletter: Featuring conference updates, new publications, a contest, and a case study of nonmagical needle swallowing. t.co/ujpPSpVvK3
SoMA June Newsletter & Conference Updates
Hello, Hope everyone’s respective summers are off to excellent starts! The main purpose of this newsletter is to provide some exciting new updates on our upcoming 2024 conference. We’ve got an excelle...
t.co
June 13, 2024 at 2:28 PM
New SoMA Newsletter: Featuring conference updates, new publications, a contest, and a case study of nonmagical needle swallowing. t.co/ujpPSpVvK3
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Next week @jordancollver.bsky.social and I will be chatting with Professor Richard Wiseman about our comic Hocus Pocus and how to make science comics. We’ll also be doing a Q&A!
Tickets are free!
Available in person and online.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/comicsatleed...
Tickets are free!
Available in person and online.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/comicsatleed...
Crossing Over: Hocus Pocus and the Magic of Comics in Research at SR 3 (WD 1.64) Clothworkers Central Building, University of Leeds
Tickets are now available for Crossing Over: Hocus Pocus and the Magic of Comics in Research at SR 3 (WD 1.64) Clothworkers Central Building, University of Leeds, Leeds on Mon 13 May 2024 at 3:00PM. C...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
May 7, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Next week @jordancollver.bsky.social and I will be chatting with Professor Richard Wiseman about our comic Hocus Pocus and how to make science comics. We’ll also be doing a Q&A!
Tickets are free!
Available in person and online.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/comicsatleed...
Tickets are free!
Available in person and online.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/comicsatleed...
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Sent to me by a colleague. Funny stuff.
April 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Sent to me by a colleague. Funny stuff.
Reposted by Dr Matt L Tompkins
Philosopher, Helen De Cruz, explores the transformative role of wonder and awe in an uncertain world, and why we practice magic. press.princeton.edu/ideas/why-we...
#Philosophy #philosopher
#Philosophy #philosopher
April 15, 2024 at 1:04 AM
Philosopher, Helen De Cruz, explores the transformative role of wonder and awe in an uncertain world, and why we practice magic. press.princeton.edu/ideas/why-we...
#Philosophy #philosopher
#Philosophy #philosopher