Unseen
Blind Spots and Why We Miss What Matters Most
1st Edition
Published on 9. April 2026
288 pages
978-1-3994-2235-2 (ISBN)
Description
The fascinating psychology of blindspots, their complex causes, and the alarming consequences of looking without seeing.
Can we believe our eyes? Most of us are confident that we can, but we shouldn't be so sure. Every day, we fail to see things that are right in front of us, miss sudden or unexpected changes and fall for illusions without realising it. The culprit? Blind spots. These hidden gaps in our perception are responsible for errors in operating machinery, diagnosing medical conditions, giving evidence in court and even influence how we invest our money or shop.
Unseen explores the hidden corners of the human mind where perception fails, from the everyday oversights to the deep-rooted cognitive biases that shape our worldview. Lifting the lid on how our minds shape what we see, neuropsychologist David Lewis and illusionist Keelan Leyser explore the different types of blind spots, why they occur, how they can be used to manipulate our thoughts and the practical steps we can take to avoid them.
What have you been missing?
Can we believe our eyes? Most of us are confident that we can, but we shouldn't be so sure. Every day, we fail to see things that are right in front of us, miss sudden or unexpected changes and fall for illusions without realising it. The culprit? Blind spots. These hidden gaps in our perception are responsible for errors in operating machinery, diagnosing medical conditions, giving evidence in court and even influence how we invest our money or shop.
Unseen explores the hidden corners of the human mind where perception fails, from the everyday oversights to the deep-rooted cognitive biases that shape our worldview. Lifting the lid on how our minds shape what we see, neuropsychologist David Lewis and illusionist Keelan Leyser explore the different types of blind spots, why they occur, how they can be used to manipulate our thoughts and the practical steps we can take to avoid them.
What have you been missing?
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
Black and white illustrations and QR codes linked to videos throughout
ISBN-13
978-1-3994-2235-2 (9781399422352)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 04/2026
Bloomsbury Sigma
€24.00
Not yet published
Persons
David Lewis was a neuropsychologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He was Chairman of the award-winning research consultancy Mindlab International.
Keelan Leyser is a digital illusionist and world expert on using blindspots to intrigue, baffle and bemuse audiences worldwide.
Keelan Leyser is a digital illusionist and world expert on using blindspots to intrigue, baffle and bemuse audiences worldwide.
Content
Introduction
1. The role of attention in looking and seeing
2. Change blindspots
3. Choice blindspots
4. Expectation blindspots
5. Illusions
6. The non-conscious level
7. Do you see what I see?
8. Blindspots in business
9. Blindspots in shopping
9. Blindspots in romantic relationships
10. How blindspots are used in magic and illusions
12. Manipulation of blindspots by retailers, advertisers and politicians
13. Discovering your blindspots
14. Banishing blindspots
1. The role of attention in looking and seeing
2. Change blindspots
3. Choice blindspots
4. Expectation blindspots
5. Illusions
6. The non-conscious level
7. Do you see what I see?
8. Blindspots in business
9. Blindspots in shopping
9. Blindspots in romantic relationships
10. How blindspots are used in magic and illusions
12. Manipulation of blindspots by retailers, advertisers and politicians
13. Discovering your blindspots
14. Banishing blindspots
