A Passionate Discussion with Al Seckel Al Seckel is a leading authority on visual illusions, and the author of several books on this topic. He has lectured extensively throughout the world at many prestigious universities and conferences. He is passionate about science, education, and philanthropy, and is a member and contributor to The Edge Group. Epstein: Al, you are an interesting guy. What have been some of the areas that you are most passionate about? Seckel: That would depend upon the time of my life. Formerly, and for a good part of it, my passion was specifically confined to discovery, and the pleasure of finding things out, specifically in theoretical physics and then in cognitive neuroscience. Now, my thoughts are directed more on trying to help move the needle forward in a qualitative way on the health of this planet, although I still take a great pleasure in playful and productive recreations of the mind. Epstein: And other passions? Seckel: Ha, one could say that my life has been consumed by passion in many different areas. The pursuit of excellence in thought, achievement, craft, not only in my own work, but also in the work of others is perhaps my greatest passion. I am drawn to excellence and avoid myopia. Another great passion of mine is in reforming educational systems, specifically in thinking skills, creativity, and innovation. Epstein: So, you're a guy of passions? Seckel: Very much so and personally I can really only relate to similar passionate people of quality and substance. It's always difficult for me to carry on a conversation when it is not passionate, interesting, or meaningful. This makes me somewhat intense. I certainly know that this may not always be everyone's cup of tea. When I was in my teenage years, I was very influenced by the writings of the English philosopher Bertrand Russell, who in the preface of his three-volume autobiography described a life of passions: 1. The search for knowledge; 2: The se