Cristina & Marco hanging out with EDI

Episode two of our special five-part series called Trace Elements — with hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek — is here. This time: the how and why of illusion. Maybe you’ll get some April Fools ideas.

Marco Tempest is not your average magician. He uses robots to do magic tricks on stage — but the real trick is in how easily he can get an audience to believe that robot has personality and is almost human.

Guests: Marco Tempest, cyberillusionist

Matt Berlin, co-founder IFRobotics, LLC

Kate Darling, researcher, MIT Media Lab

Engineer: Andrew Kramer

Theme Song: Rory Jackson

Additional Music: Lullatone, Keen Collective, and Golden Gram

Special Thanks: The Great Shiftini, aka Craig LeMoult