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Are You Dead or Alive?

Thursday, November 20th, 2008 – running time 07:20
Are You Dead or Alive?
As a conversation starter, Brian shows you how to use two toothpicks to detect a pulse.

Effect: You are able to show your pulse using two toothpicks. No matter how hard they try, your friend cannot.

Method: hold a toothpick horizontally by pinching one end between your thumb and forefinger, and laying it across the fingernail of your middle finger. Pull down with your index finger, and push up against that toothpick with your middle fingernail.

Next, lay a second toothpick on the first, so it balances on the palm of your hand and rests on the first toothpick.

If you press down and slide the first toothpick along your fingernail, the small ridges in your fingernail will cause the second toothpick to bounce wildly, seemingly without cause. By timing these movements, you'll be able to convince your friend that your pulse is causing the toothpick to move.

Now here's the important part: keep doing the trick like it's no big deal, explain to them how they should position the toothpicks, and act only mildly interested when they complain that they can't get it to work... This will drive them nuts! If you're looking to keep a girl pestering you for help the rest of the night, this is the effect for you.

Scam School homework!

1. Rent from Netflix

2. Use the Scam School code: www.netflix.com/scamschool

3. Watch "The Sting" starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman, and learn about scams like: The Wire, the Pigeon Drop, and the difference between the Short Con and the Long Con.

No transcript created yet. Check back soon.

therage800

Started discussion: November 20, 2008 @ 10:35am GMT

Episode 36 - Are You Dead or Alive? [Discussion]

As a conversation starter, Brian shows you how to use two toothpicks to detect a pulse.

Watch or download here.

Murphy1d
8 months ago
Great idea to tease the forum questions into the next episode.. and nice job being "fresh" with the content at the end (showing the dates and such).

Now, the question is "did he really film the end only 2 days ago?"
hogiewan
8 months ago

good ep

saw the trick on BBOTR, but that was short. Nice to see it as a episode.

Working on getting The Sting, but I use another service besides NetFlix
Hayz
8 months ago
In reply to Murphy1d:
Great idea to tease the forum questions into the next episode.. and nice job being "fresh" with the content at the end (showing the dates and such).

Now, the question is "did he really film the end only 2 days ago?"


He had to, he used my question! I'm so happy, in the pants =D
retz
8 months ago
In reply to hogiewan:
saw the trick on BBOTR, but that was short. Nice to see it as a episode.

Working on getting The Sting, but I use another service besides NetFlix


If you use the same service as me, they have plenty of copies.
hogiewan
8 months ago
In reply to retz:
If you use the same service as me, they have plenty of copies.


shipping is very quick too
Murphy1d
8 months ago
In reply to Hayz:
He had to, he used my question! I'm so happy, in the pants =D


I am usually skeptical of any non-live show being relevant within a 2 day window. Usually shows pre-film a segment and "conveniently" change camera angle or show a visual right at the point where the relevant info gets revealed. I thought I saw that in the show, but going back Brian actually said Hayz's name before they displayed the visual of his question.

So great job Eileen on editing in that in segment so quickly and seamlessly.
comeoneileen
8 months ago
In reply to Murphy1d:
I am usually skeptical of any non-live show being relevant within a 2 day window. Usually shows pre-film a segment and "conveniently" change camera angle or show a visual right at the point where the relevant info gets revealed. I thought I saw that in the show, but going back Brian actually said Hayz's name before they displayed the visual of his question.

So great job Eileen on editing in that in segment so quickly and seamlessly.


Thanks Murphy1d. We had a quick turnaround this time, but I'm glad you noticed the effort :)
Hayz
7 months ago
I feel it has to be said, Very well done, not just adding in the new part, but all the things done that make the show look clean and neat all the time.
rabidbadger
7 months ago
Other good scam movies.

The Grifters
Paper moon.
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