A simple blink, a fidget or even a single word can reveal everything about us, says Marc Salem, the world’s top mind-reader. Now he wants us all to learn the secrets of how to spot a liar. Meeting someone who earns their living reading people’s minds is off-putting, to say the least. And that Dr Marc Salem can sense what I am thinking, I am in little doubt. Although he has just published a book telling us all how to read and interpret the tiny signals people give off unconsciously – up to a thousand in every minute of verbal interaction – I’m not so sure it’s that easy. He clearly has a remarkable gift. During his mystifying performance, the academic-turned-entertainer – a world class authority on non-verbal cues – was able to identify objects while blindfolded by listening closely to the tone of voice used by the owner, or a rustle of their clothing or a smell. He says vision is overrated. He correctly divined the serial number on a £5 note and told one audience member he had exactly £10.19 in his pocket having heard him shake the money. He also asked five audience members to do a drawing, told them to lie when asked which picture was theirs, yet identified exactly who had drawn what.
According to Salem, a professor of psychology and a former director of research at the famous US children’s television show Sesame Street, we constantly “leak” hidden information – a change in vocal pitch, a hesitation, a twitch that runs counter to what is being said, a suddenly dry mouth, a change in pupil dilation or an unconscious gesture.
“Almost every thought has a physical manifestation,” he says. “So much unspoken information passes us by because we just don’t know how to read it. Early people were far more sensitive to their environment and to their intuitions. Today, we drown all that out but it’s still there – you can’t cover up what you are really thinking.”
His ability to “read” and detect these unintentional communications has put him in demand as a legal consultant. (Daily Express)
