#699: Apollo Robbins, The World’s Most Famous Pickpocket — Pickpocketing the Secret Service, Manipulating Attention, Famous Con Artists, The Psychology of Deception, Self-Defense Techniques, The Secret Language of Thieves, and More

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Oct 19, 2023

Apollo Robbins, known as 'The Gentleman Thief,' is a master pickpocket and psychological manipulator whose skills have captivated audiences worldwide. He shares thrilling tales of pickpocketing the Secret Service and discusses the art of misdirection, diving into the psychological aspects of deception. Robbins highlights the intricate dynamics of thieves and their unique communication methods, while offering insights on how these techniques can enhance our understanding of attention and decision-making. His journey blends magic and strategy, revealing the mind's fascinating complexities.

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ANECDOTE

Early Life Challenges

Apollo Robbins was born with motor problems and had to wear leg braces.
He overcame these challenges, fostering resilience and keen observation skills.

ANECDOTE

Paternal Influence

Apollo's father, a blind minister, used found objects like turtles as sermon metaphors.
This fostered Apollo's creative thinking and exposed him to diverse perspectives.

ANECDOTE

Early Exposure to Deception

Exposed to both religion and crime through his family, Apollo developed a nuanced view of deception.
He studied various religious texts and witnessed his brothers' criminal activities.

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Deception in the Digital Age

Exploiting and Defending Human Targets Through Computer-Mediated Communication

Cameron Malin

Terry Gudaitis

Max Kilger

Thomas J. Holt

Deception in the Digital Age provides a detailed analysis of the psychological, sensory, sociological, and technical aspects of cyber deception. It guides readers through the history and principles of deception, offering practical guidance on identifying and protecting against cyber deception tactics. The book is written by experts with real-world investigative experience, making it a valuable resource for information security professionals and others interested in cybersecurity.

Showmanship for Magicians

Dario Fo

No information available about this specific book.

The Illusion of Life

Disney Animation

Frank Thomas

Ollie Johnston

Written by two of Disney's most renowned animators, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, this book delves into the fundamental principles of animation. It covers the '12 basic principles of animation' and provides insights into the creative process and techniques used by Disney animators. The book is a seminal work in the field of animation and has been influential for animators and filmmakers worldwide.

The Person in the Situation

Concepts from Social Psychology

Kurt Lewin and associated theorists

This concept is rooted in the theories of Kurt Lewin, who emphasized that behavior is a function of the person and their perceived environment (B = f(P, E)). Lewin's work highlights the dynamic interaction between personal and situational factors, influencing an individual's subjective experiences and behaviors. His theories have been applied broadly in social psychology, including areas such as social cognition, person perception, and the psychological field theory[4][5].

Magic by Misdirection and the Psychology of Magic

Dario Fo

Dario Fo's 'Magic by Misdirection and the Psychology of Magic' is a comprehensive guide to the art of misdirection in magic. The book delves into the psychological principles behind creating illusions and manipulating audience perception. It explores various techniques used by magicians to control attention and create a sense of wonder. The book provides insights into the history and evolution of misdirection, highlighting its importance in creating successful magic performances. It's a valuable resource for magicians seeking to improve their skills in misdirection and create more impactful illusions.

The American Confidence Man

David Maurer

David Maurer's 'The American Confidence Man' is a seminal work on the language and techniques of con artists. Maurer, a linguist, spent years studying the argot and methods of various con games. The book provides a detailed look into the world of confidence tricks, revealing the intricate language, psychological manipulation, and social engineering used by con men. It offers insights into the history and evolution of con artistry, highlighting the creativity and adaptability of those who practice it. The book remains a valuable resource for understanding the psychology of deception and the art of the con.

The Art of Deception

Controlling the Human Element of Security

Kevin Mitnick

William L. Simon

The Art of Deception by Kevin D. Mitnick and William L. Simon delves into the world of social engineering, highlighting how hackers manipulate individuals to compromise security systems. The book provides real-life examples of social engineering tactics and offers practical advice on how to protect against these threats through awareness, policies, and technology.

The Trick Brain

Dario Fo

Dario Fo's 'The Trick Brain' delves into the cognitive processes involved in magic and misdirection. The book explores how magicians manipulate attention and perception to create illusions. It examines the role of expectation, surprise, and cognitive biases in shaping audience experience. The book provides insights into the psychology of magic, highlighting the interplay between magician and audience. It's a valuable resource for understanding how illusions are created and perceived.

Bobo's Coin Magic

J.B. Bobo

J.B. Bobo's 'Modern Coin Magic' is a classic text in the field of coin magic, renowned for its comprehensive coverage of coin manipulation techniques. The book presents a wide range of classic and innovative coin tricks, meticulously detailing the sleight of hand and misdirection involved. It's considered a must-have resource for aspiring and experienced coin magicians alike. Bobo's clear instructions and detailed illustrations make the techniques accessible to learners of all skill levels. The book's enduring popularity is a testament to its lasting influence on the art of coin magic.

The Invisible Gorilla

How Our Intuitions Deceive Us

Daniel Simons

Christopher Chabris

In 'The Invisible Gorilla,' Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris use their famous experiment and other scientific findings to show how our minds can miss obvious things due to selective attention. The book explains various ways our intuitions lead us to make costly and sometimes life-threatening mistakes. It covers topics such as why companies launch failed products, why award-winning movies have editing mistakes, and what criminals and chess masters have in common. The authors provide insights into why we succumb to these illusions and how we can become more aware of them to think more clearly[1][3][5].

Nobody's Fool

Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It

Daniel Simons

Christopher Chabris

How Minds Change

The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

David McRaney

In 'How Minds Change,' David McRaney delves into the latest research from psychologists and neuroscientists to explain why people believe what they do and how those beliefs can change. The book examines various methods such as deep canvassing and social epistemology, and features stories of individuals who have dramatically changed their minds, including a former 9/11 conspiracy theorist and a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. McRaney emphasizes the importance of empathetic conversations over debates and provides practical advice on how to influence others by focusing on their personal experiences rather than presenting facts alone.

Propaganda

Edward Bernays

In 'Propaganda,' Edward Bernays lays out his vision for using propaganda to influence various aspects of society, including government, politics, art, science, and education. The book discusses the 'conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses' as an essential element in democratic society. Bernays argues that this manipulation is carried out by an 'invisible government' of professional propagandists who shape public thoughts, values, and responses. The book explores the psychological and social science basis of propaganda and its application in different fields, highlighting its potential for both beneficial and detrimental uses[2][3][5].

Influence

The Psychology of Persuasion

Robert Cialdini

In this highly acclaimed book, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology behind why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically. The book outlines six universal principles of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity. The new and expanded edition includes a seventh principle, Unity, along with new research, insights, and examples. Cialdini uses memorable stories and relatable examples to make the subject accessible and easy to understand, helping readers become more skilled persuaders and defend themselves against unethical influence attempts.

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Apollo Robbins (@ApolloRobbins) is often referred to as “The Gentleman Thief.” He ﬁrst made national news when he pick-pocketed the Secret Service while entertaining a former U.S. President. Forbes has called Robbins “an artful manipulator of awareness,” and Wired has written that “he could steal the wallet of a man who knew he was going to have his pocket picked.”

Robbins’ entertainment credentials include the Warner Bros. film Focus, with Will Smith and Margot Robbie, along with appearances in Brooklyn 99, and the TNT series Leverage. He was a producer and co-host for National Geographic’s Brain Games, which was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series. Robbins applies his expertise in magic and misdirection beyond entertainment, pulling back the curtain to show how the principles behind these illusions can enhance strategic thinking and decision-making.

His contributions to attention and perception research have been published in Scientiﬁc American Mind and Nature Reviews Neuroscience. He has delivered lectures at Harvard Kennedy School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and the Society of Neuroscience. He has been proﬁled by The New Yorker and featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Geographic, and The Wall Street Journal. Robbins’ TED Talk, “The Art of Misdirection,” is ranked in the 20 most-watched TED Talks of all time and has been hailed by the TED editors as a revelation in the ﬂaws of human perception.

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[07:51] Was Apollo a naturally dextrous wunderkind?

[10:26] The influence of Apollo’s blind minister father.

[14:10] Apollo’s slide toward agnosticism.

[17:24] Ben Stone enters the picture.

[21:08] Taking in orphaned animals as a youngster.

[23:31] An early lesson on the value of money.

[25:20] Bear in a box.

[28:19] Seeing magic as a ticket to the larger world.

[30:55] Shoplifting for fun, profit, and education.

[32:19] Equivoque magic and Jazz-based mentalism.

[38:09] A magic book club and a year-round Santa.

[44:10] Apollo’s first fateful trip to Vegas.

[52:14] A false accusation leads to a real job and a vampire code.

[55:27] Jimmy Carter and the Secret Service.

[1:03:44] The pros and cons of becoming legendary.

[1:05:39] Academic accolades.

[1:08:01] A sauce less secret isn’t necessarily less rich.

[1:09:28] Recovering when the reps get rough.

[1:11:12] Sheet music versus jazz.

[1:14:10] The introduction to — and enduring influence of — Apollo’s wife, Ava Do.

[1:22:27] Perception science perceived but not yet entered into the lexicon.

[1:26:16] The significance of Apollo’s silver ring.

[1:27:01] Meeting (and stealing from) Penn Jillette.

[1:29:10] Demonstrating the confidence of a con man.

[1:33:03] Hallmarks that differentiate Apollo’s style.

[1:40:14] Who has the advantage with arguments in the Robbins household?

[1:41:18] 40 Elephants in the modern world.

[1:42:52] Teaching kids about the cons — and pros — of deception.

[1:45:50] Paltering and puffery.

[1:49:14] Perceptual shaping and change raising.

[1:51:14] Slick re-thievery.

[1:54:01] Influential reading.

[1:56:38] Whiz Mob.

[1:59:22] How is a team of pickpockets organized?

[2:04:54] The pandemic of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

[2:08:37] Best practices to avoid becoming a target for theft.

[2:11:14] The Illusion of Knowledge Project.

[2:15:28] The Unsinkable Titanic Thompson and other noteworthy charlatans.

[2:19:06] Rod the Hop, Kevin Mitnick, and Whizmob Inc.

[2:23:11] How one word can make a difference to an impressionable child.

[2:26:38] Parting thoughts.

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