Ethical hacking and subverting the internet | Thomas Webb (Tom London) | TEDxBerlinSalon

Summary

In this engaging script, magician Tom London, whose real name is Thomas Webb, shares his journey of blending magic with technology. He discusses his rise to fame with the keyword 'London' in his domain name, his America's Got Talent appearance, and his belief in revealing secrets to inspire. Tom demonstrates innovative tricks, including hacking smartphones to display colors and open apps, and a live 'blockchain' simulation using audience members' calculator apps. His talk highlights the power of coding and the magical possibilities it unlocks, challenging the traditional boundaries of both magic and hacking.

Takeaways

• 😎 Tom London is a stage name chosen for SEO purposes, with the real name being Thomas Webb.
• 🔍 Tom aimed to rank highly in Google searches for 'magician in London' by incorporating 'London' into his domain name.
• 🎩 He believes in revealing 'secrets' in contrast to the traditional magician's code of silence, advocating for transparency in the realm of hacking.
• 📱 Tom demonstrated an interactive presentation by having the audience use their phones to engage with a live website, showcasing the power of coding.
• 🤖 He utilized technology to create a 'hacking' experience without needing a Wi-Fi network, using mobile data to control audience's phones.
• 🎨 Tom's talk emphasized the idea that 'anything is possible when you can code,' highlighting the limitless potential of programming.
• 🔢 He performed a trick involving calculators where he seemingly predicted a complex calculation, revealing the trick as a simple memory function of the calculator.
• 🌐 Tom discussed the use of PubNub, a real-time data messaging platform, to control audience's phones and create interactive experiences.
• 🗺️ He shared the story of his America's Got Talent audition, where he used augmented reality and a custom app to make it appear as if he could predict and display world landmarks.
• 🤹‍♂️ Tom's performances blend magic with technology, showing that advanced technology can seem magical and vice versa.
• 🔄 The script concludes with Tom reflecting on the iterative nature of hacking and improving upon tricks, leaving the audience with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Q & A

Who is Tom London and what is his real name?

Tom London is a stage name chosen by Thomas Webb. He selected this name in 2014 to rank highly on Google searches by having 'London' as a keyword in his domain name, aiming to become the most successful magician in London.

Why did Tom London choose the name 'Tom London' for his online presence?

Tom London chose the name to leverage SEO practices of the time, which allowed him to rank highly on Google by having a keyword in his domain name. He wanted to be the top result when people searched for 'magician in London'.

What is Tom London's stance on revealing the secrets behind magic tricks?

Tom London, identifying himself more as a hacker than a magician, believes that hackers should always reveal their secrets because they are cool. He contrasts this with the traditional magician's code of not revealing secrets.

How did Tom London engage the audience during his talk?

Tom London engaged the audience by asking them to use their mobile phones to scan a QR code, which led to a push notification directing them to a website. This interactive element was part of his demonstration of coding capabilities.

What was the purpose of the QR code scan during Tom London's presentation?

The QR code scan was used to direct audience members to a webpage that could determine their device type and ask if they wanted to come on stage. It was part of a larger demonstration of hacking and coding in action.

How did Tom London simulate a blockchain transaction with the audience?

Tom London simulated a blockchain transaction by having the audience input a series of numbers into their calculator apps, which were then added together to create a random number that everyone authenticated by participating.

What was Tom London's approach to 'hacking' people without a Wi-Fi network?

Tom London used a combination of a QR code, a server running a webpage, and a real-time data messaging platform called PubNub to control audience members' phones over 3G or 4G networks.

How did Tom London manage to open Instagram and gain followers during his presentation?

He utilized JavaScript's window.location property to change the webpage location, which allowed him to open the Instagram app natively on the audience's phones and pre-fill a follow request for his account.

What was the significance of the number '810,293' in Tom London's presentation?

The number '810,293' was the result of a simulated blockchain transaction involving the audience. It was also pre-written on a postcard that Tom London revealed, demonstrating a magic trick that appeared to predict the outcome of the transaction.

How did Tom London explain the concept of technology being magical?

Tom London suggested that people often overlook the magical aspects of technology, treating advanced apps as mundane. He believes that the underlying components of technology are magical and should be recognized as such.

What was Tom London's experience like during his America's Got Talent audition?

Tom London described his audition as the best moment of his life. He used audience members' phones to execute a trick, which involved displaying a pre-recorded video of him holding a playing card that matched the judge's choice.

How did Tom London create the illusion of having an infinite number of videos for his AGT audition?

He used Unity, a game development platform, to create an augmented reality app that could play videos based on real-time messages sent from an offstage assistant, giving the illusion of an infinite number of outcomes.

What challenges did Tom London face with the Bluetooth printer during his AGT audition?

The Bluetooth printer faced issues with range and connectivity, often failing to print during rehearsals. Despite these issues, it worked during the actual performance, contributing to the success of his act.

How did Tom London travel to various world landmarks for his AGT audition?

Tom London physically traveled to each of the world landmarks to record videos, which were then used in his augmented reality app to create the illusion of him being in those locations during the audition.