7. If you are given a choice, you believe you have acted freely. This is one of the darkest of all psychological secrets.

When I cut the cards, I let you glimpse a few different faces. You conclude the deck contains 52 different cards (No. 1—Pattern recognition). You think you’ve made a choice, just as when you choose between two candidates preselected by entrenched political parties (No. 7 — Choice is not freedom).

— Teller Reveals His Secrets

— By Teller

— Smithsonian magazine, March 2012

2012.03.02 Friday ACHK