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A team of pickpockets took Kerri Miller's iPhone during her recent visit to Paris. One distracted her with a clipboard while another delved into her travel pouch.

To the surprise of no one who knows her, Kerri chased one of the offenders down and got her phone back.

The experience left her wiser — and intrigued. How was the team able to distract her so easily? 

Part of the answer lies in the art of the pickpocket, an ancient practice that is handed down from generation to generation, and in the fool-the-eye tricks magicians use. But another part of the answer lies in neuroscience. 


What can science teach us about distraction? Is it possible to develop skills that will protect us from scam artists and pickpockets?

 recommends against chasing down a pickpocket:

Neuroscience Meets Magic - by Scientific American

Crime, Law and Justice

Distraction is an art studied by thieves, magicians ... and neuroscientists.

Thieves, magicians and the art of misdirection

Go Deeper.

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