fbpx
Купи билет

Ratio Forum 2025:
The Magic of Reality

Illusions are all around us – in magic, in science, in our memories, even in our very perception of reality. But how does this happen? What makes us believe in things that aren’t real and reject truths that are right in front of us?

At Ratio Forum, we’ll uncover the mechanisms behind deception – from magic tricks to false memories and the spread of misinformation. We’ll dive into the psychology of perception, explore the skills of professional illusionists, and learn why our brains so often lead us astray.

Speakers and Topics

Richard Wiseman on the Magic of the Mind

Richard Wiseman is a psychologist, bestselling author, and renowned expert on illusions and the paranormal. In this talk, he’ll show us why our minds are so easily tricked—and how we can protect ourselves from our own cognitive blind spots.

Wiseman will present some of the world’s most striking optical illusions, reveal the secret techniques behind magic, explore paranormal phenomena, and ask whether we’re all capable of achieving the impossible.

Joining him is award-winning illusionist Paul Zenon, who will perform jaw-dropping tricks and a science stunt designed to entertain and astonish.

Known for his work in skepticism and the science of deception, Wiseman has advised global companies like Google and Amazon. His bestselling books—including The Luck Factor, Paranormality, and 59 Seconds—demonstrate how small shifts in our thinking can lead to big changes in our lives.

Would you like this formatted as part of a program or promotional material?

 
 

Paul Zenon on the Аrt of Мanipulation

Paul Zenon is one of the most renowned British illusionists, with extensive experience in performing various tricks, illusions, scams, and paranormal themes. He will show us how magic exploits the peculiarities of human attention and perception to create convincing illusions—not only for entertainment but also for manipulation—from classic tricks to modern-day social media scams.

Paul began earning his living as a street magician and learned how people can be deceived and manipulated. Later, he applied his practical knowledge of human psychology and attention to good causes, such as exposing pseudoscientific “stars.” Among his books are 100 Ways to Win a Tenner, Street Magic, and Paul Zenon’s Dirty Tricks, which reveal the world of tricks, scams, and magical illusions.

Paul Bloom on the Devil within Us All

Paul Bloom is a professor of psychology at Yale and the University of Toronto who explores our curious attraction to transgression – from harmless mischief to destructive behavior – and the psychological forces behind it.

Why do we sometimes break the rules, whether through playful pranks or acts of full-blown chaos? In this talk, Bloom will delve into the darker, more creative expressions of our deviant impulses – and how a small dose of chaos can make life a whole lot more interesting. Because sometimes, a life with a pinch of disorder might just be the most interesting life of all.

His acclaimed books, including Against Empathy, How Pleasure Works, and Psych: The Story of the Human Mind, explore the deep connections between psychology, morality, and human desire.

Stephan Lewandowsky on Honest Liars and the Threats to Democracy

Stephan Lewandowsky is a leading researcher in the fields of disinformation and cognitive science. In his talk, he’ll explain how fake news spreads, why people cling to conspiracy theories, and what we can do to protect ourselves from the cognitive traps of misinformation.

How can a politician be perceived as honest, even after telling thousands of lies? This lecture explores how different psychological concepts of honesty shape our perception of political communication – and how promoting fact-based dialogue can help curb the spread of disinformation and strengthen democratic values.

In his works The Debunking Handbook and The Conspiracy Theory Handbook, Lewandowsky presents scientific strategies for recognizing and debunking conspiracies and disinformation.

Schedule

Time Subject
10:00-11:00Registration
11:00-11:15Opening
11:15-12:15Paul Bloom on the Devil within all us
12:15-12:35Coffee Break
12:35-13:35Stephan Lewandowsky on the Honest Liars
13:35-14:20Lunch supported by Lidl
14:20-15:20The Impossible
15:20-15:45Coffee Break
15:45-16:15Richard Wiseman on the Magic of Mind
16:15-16:45Richard Wiseman: Manipulations and illuzion
16:45-17:00Fireside Chat
17:00-17:15Closing Ceremony

Venue

 The Ratio Forum will take place in the “John Atanasoff” Hall at Sofia Tech Park.

How to get there?

Public Transport

  • Buses 306, 184, and 84, and trolleybuses 5 and 8 – stop “Sofia Tech Park” (in the direction of Mladost district).

  • Buses 1, 3, 5, and 6 – stop “Sofia Tech Park” (on the local lane of Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., in the direction of the city center).

  • Buses 1, 3, 5, 6, 280, 294, 305, and 306, and trolleybuses 4, 5, 8, and 11 – stop “Aviation Square”.

By Car

There is a multi-level car park on the premises with a capacity of 500 spaces. Parking is paid – 1 BGN per hour, with the first 15 minutes free.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Although we have a full day packed with activities and interesting talks, you can join us later, too. The registration is open throughout the whole day, so you can come whenever you like.

Although your ticket has your name on it, that is solely used for our administration. We don’t check names at the door, so you can give the ticket to another person and you don’t need to write to us to change it. For Concession tickets we will need to verify that the ticket carrier has active student rights or has a senior card.

No, you can just download your ticket on your mobile phone and let us scan the QR code at the entrance

The content at Ratio Forum is primarily designed for an adult audience – the topics are sometimes provocative and carefully selected to spark thought and discussion.

That being said, curious teenagers (14+) often attend and not only fit in well but genuinely enjoy the experience.

Of course, not all talks are equally appropriate for younger audiences. Paul Bloom’s lecture is strongly recommended for ages 16+ (possibly even 18+), as it delves into subjects such as sexual fetishes and “desires outside the norm.”

The rest of the talks are generally more accessible for teenagers who are interested in science, critical thinking, and culture, and who feel comfortable following conversational English. Speakers like Richard Wiseman and Paul Zenon, for instance, present their ideas in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Stephen Lewandowsky’s topic is a bit more serious, but extremely valuable for young people who want to better understand how today’s media environment works.

If you’re considering bringing a younger attendee, the best approach is to assess how mature the child is and whether they would feel comfortable with the event’s content and language.

Sofia Tech Park’s parking is paid, but there’s a new lower tariff on weekends  – 1 lev for every 2 hours of your stay. The first 15 minutes are free of charge. You will need to validate your parking ticket at the machines in the parking building and pay your parking fee before leaving.

Since the program spans several hours and most of it is happening inside, we will not be able to let in pets at the event.

Every ticket holder has access to a lunch pack provided by our partners from CoKitchen. There are vegetarian and vegan options, too. If you have other dietary requirements, please, ask the team at the lunch tables for the full list of ingredients. You can also grab a cup of coffee during our coffee breaks. Water will be available at the premises, too.

If you want to catch up on breakfast or satisfy your sweet tooth, we will have a stand with some pastries available for you to purchase. There will also be a beer bar from lunch time onwards.

Tickets

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Promo Price
🚨 САМО до 18 май! 🚨 Специална цена за достъп до всички лекции и изложби, участие в игрите на спонсорите ни, обяд, вода. / Only up to May 18 - special price ticket to access to all event content, games, lunch, coffee, and water
лв. 59.00
Unlimited
Учащи, пенсионери и хора с увреждания / Concession ticket
Билети за ученици, студенти и пенсионери и за хора с увреждания. На входа ще трябва да покажете документ за този статус (ученическа карта, студентска книжка или др.) / Reduced price tickets for students and pensioners, and for disabled people. You will need to show proof of your status (e.g., study document or pensioner’s card) at the entrance.
лв. 25.00
Unlimited
Виртуален билет за запис / Virtual ticket
Ако не можете да сте с нас на живо, вземете билет за запис от събитието, който ще ви изпратим около седмица след него. / If you can't join us live, you can get a virtual ticket that gives you access to the recording about a week after the event date.
лв. 25.00
Unlimited
Дарителски билет / Donation ticket
Подкрепете работата на Ratio. Към билета ще получите и специален подарък от нас. / Support our work and get a small gift from Ratio.
лв. 99.00
Unlimited
Микроспонсор / Microsponsor
Билет за най-активните Ratio фенове. Включва подаръка от дарителския ни билет и покана за официалната ни вечеря с лектори след събитието. / A ticket for our most active fans. It includes the Donation ticket gift and an invitation to our closed speaker dinner.
лв. 299.00
Unlimited
Quantity: 0
Total: лв. 0.00

Partners

If you’re interested in supporting the Ratio Forum, contact us at partnerships@ratio.bg.