Mentalist vs. The Machine
In an era where artificial intelligence can create an elaborate image, a persuasive term paper, or a complex melody at the click of a button, David Kwong asks: is there still room for wonder?
Can we still experience awe and mind-blowing moments in the modern age of AI?
His answer is a resounding yes! And he has a brand-new show, Mentalist vs. The Machine, to illustrate this.
This one-of-a-kind hybrid of magic and message is more than a performance—it’s a deeply resonant exploration of what makes us uniquely human in a world dominated by technology. In Mentalist vs. The Machine, David demonstrates wondrous digital miracles through tricks involving iPhones, Wikipedia, Alexa, and ChatGPT. He uses each illusion to illuminate a central idea: technology hasn’t taken away our sense of wonder—it’s made it even more profound. The show culminates with David pitting his brain against The Machine’s, ultimately illustrating the power of human intellect and creativity.
Through awe-inspiring feats, David reveals how we can:
- Foster a culture of creative thinking in our organizations.
- Rediscover the thrill of curiosity, surprise, and wonder in a tech-driven world.
- Embrace a future of innovation and possibility with artificial intelligence.
Spellbound: The Principles of Illusion
Despite astounding CEOs, TED Talk audiences, and thousands of other hyper-rational people and making them see, believe, and even remember what David wants them to, David doesn’t pretend to have super powers in any way. As he outlines in his book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion, he believes that all magic is science. It’s the science of fooling your brain. Illusion is an ancient art that centers on control, and understanding the fundamental principles of illusion will lead to more command and control in both life and work. Successful leaders—from Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Ted Turner to President Obama, Megyn Kelly, and Jeff Bezos—are masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals.
Magic does not have to be about deceiving people, but rather getting ahead of the competition. David Kwong explains this principle in an interview with PBS, “If you’re in a job interview, why not have seven different copies of your resume?” You can then present the resume that will be best received by your interviewer based on how the conversation plays out. “That’s no different than a magician and playing cards,” David says.
Key Takeaways:
- Bridge the gap between perception and reality to help increase your own powers of persuasion and influence.
- Learn the seven fundamental principles of illusion—rules anyone can learn to master.
- Discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills, and make your best shot better than everyone else’s.
Creating Order Out of Chaos
Taking Control of Digital Disorder
In today’s modern world, we are bombarded with incessant new information and data. We’re constantly scrolling and updating news feeds; we’re sifting through a never-ending barrage of posts and emails. In this presentation, David demonstrates, through feats of magic and practical insight, how to:
- Organize vast amounts of data in your brain
- See the world through the eyes of a magician, puzzle designer, and producer
- Synthesize disparate bits of information into a holistic lifestyle
Smart Entertainment
MC & Entertainer
Bring the Spark of Magic to Your Next Corporate Off-Site
As a world-class illusionist and creator of the critically-acclaimed performance The Enigmatist, David Kwong is a creative, professional, and energizing MC for corporate events. Work with the Mollie Plotkin Group and David Kwong to tailor his appearance to your company culture and occasion. At his appearances, David Kwong can perform any or all of the following:
- Master of Ceremonies services for your Awards Conference or Benefit
- 1:1 On-site Magic Performances for Executives or Small Teams
- A Company-wide Performance with Audience Participation
The Enigmatist
The critically acclaimed show that started it all
David’s massive theatrical hit that sold-out The Kennedy Center in DC, The Geffen Playhouse in LA, and The Highline Hotel in New York. In this demonstration of illusion, puzzles and cryptography, David regales his audience with the history of America’s first codebreakers, while performing feats of mentalism and cerebral gymnastics. The fun begins right away: audience members come early to the show to solve the “Puzzle Room,” four creative puzzles that tie into the show. The Enigmatist is interactive, brainy and fun for all ages.
Puzzle Hunt: The Ultimate Team-Building Experience
Step into a world of mystery, magic, and mental gymnastics with David Kwong’s Puzzle Hunt—a one-of-a-kind adventure designed to unite your team through creative thinking and problem-solving. Trusted by top companies like Google, Amazon, and Morgan Stanley, this immersive experience blends David’s world-class talents as a magician and New York Times puzzle master into an unforgettable experience that strengthens bonds and sharpens minds.
What to Expect
The Puzzle Hunt is a highly interactive, collaborative event where participants are divided into small, diverse groups and given a series of interconnected puzzles to solve. “The puzzles are fun and not too hard!” says David. “They simply require you to think outside the box and look at things from a different perspective.” His challenges range from visually immersive to audio-based listening puzzles, from crosswords to logic problems. No prior trivia expertise is required. In fact, internet access and smartphones are encouraged, making the event inclusive and stress-free.
Each puzzle is designed not to stump, but to spark insight and “aha!” moments. Participants must combine their individual strengths, communicate effectively, and employ lateral thinking. The ultimate goal? Solve the final meta-puzzle that brings all the earlier clues together into one elegant, satisfying solution.
Theme
David brings his expertise as a New York Times crossword constructor and Hollywood producer to the puzzle writing process. He designs bespoke Puzzle Hunts that are tailored to your company or event. With each event, David’s goal is to create a Puzzle Hunt that encourages lateral thinking and cross-company interaction. Participants leave the hunt not only feeling smarter—but more connected to their colleagues.
As Google put it: “It’s the perfect team event.”
Timing
The Puzzle Hunt is best experienced with 60-90 minutes of solve time. Part of David’s bespoke puzzle creation is to calibrate the set of puzzles to fit the allotted time and preferred team size. Moreover, David will be on hand to introduce the Puzzle Hunt and give hints throughout, assuring that each team can complete the set of puzzles.
The Magician and the Crossword
The New York Times in Science: The Magician and the Crossword, praised David Kwong’s presentation, as he values “an air of sophistication” in his performances.
This is one of David Kwong’s most requested performances because of its strength to bring teams together in wonder and amazement.
Inside the Box: An Exhilarating Interactive Experience for the Virtual Stage
Log on, put on your thinking caps, and join in the fun.
It’s no wonder that Inside the Box is a Critic’s Pick by the New York Times. World-class illusionist David Kwong transports you to the exhilarating world of puzzles and games. Attendees join an entirely interactive show of puzzles, hosted and facilitated by David as he drops fascinating facts on puzzle-making throughout history. This is the perfect team-building event for your remote-working team, large or small. “Inside the Box” is a sensational virtual experience, praised by the Los Angeles Daily News for its power to bring lively energy to Zoom meetings.
