Extreme self-control Our ability to exert self-control increases with practice, and some of us have practiced more than others! Magician David Blaine (left) endured standing in a block of ice (in which a small space had been carved out for him) for nearly 62 hours for a stunt in New York’s Times Square. A number of performing artists make their living as very convincing human statues, as does this actress (right) performing on The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Marty Lederhandler/AP Photo; LatitudeStock/Brian Fairbrother/Getty Images