Why do laymen enjoy magic?

[RDChopper]

Hi! I know maybe this is irrelevant, but just now I am watching one of Dr.House episodes.... this time is about a magician who is sick(obviously)... The interesting part in this is that after a semi mini duel of magic tricks between the doctor and the magician, they both start arguing about why the laymen like to go and see magic shows or magic tricks.... they're discussion was rather quick but it sparked the question in my head....




Why do laymen enjoy tricks??? (this is either a very stupid short question, or something that we can discuss about)

 

[nexusmagic]

I think it some sort of psychological effect that creates pleasure for the person that is viewing the presentation. People like to be fooled its like crack. This question is like why people like to get scared in a haunted house, because it is fun. Or even better why people get surprised inside of a haunted house?

 

[Ben Long]

Go to TED talks and check out the one by J.J. Abrams. He talks a lot about mystery and how it appeals to the human mind.

 

[EJ]

It's not everyday that people get the opportunity to witness something impossible.

 

[manks123]

It's not everyday that people get the opportunity to witness something impossible.

Quoted for truth

 

[TheBlack&WhiteIllusionist]

It's fun to think that it's possible to move something with your mind. It's also fun to see someone rip an Eight into two Fours into two Twos into two Aces. Point is, *whispers* it's fun to believe.

 

[d34thg0d]

Oh I watch House too I think there are 2 type of audiences. The first kind want to watch magic because they want to enjoy something special that doesn't always happen in their life. The second kind watches magic solely to debunk the magician.

 

[visualartist]

Because magic shows that the world isnt as miserable and as solid as it seems to be.
That is what our lies tell them anyways.
People need something more to believe in and thats what we give them.

 

[Infected]

Which episode is this in.

 

[Sean_Raf]

Because 7.5 times out of 10 we don't give them a choice?

- Sean

 

[RDChopper]

Oh I watch House too I think there are 2 type of audiences. The first kind want to watch magic because they want to enjoy something special that doesn't always happen in their life. The second kind watches magic solely to debunk the magician.

what abou skeptics? I have met a bunch of guys that no mather how impressive the trick is they just say..."well, you are pretty good with you hands aint'ya?"

Note: Im not talking about hecklers...

 

[RDChopper]

Which episode is this in.

I dont know, I was watching it in the normal tv, is part of the 3 season and is the episode where kal penn gets fired...
If you have time you should look for it, I had great laughs with that episode

 

[visualartist]

what abou skeptics? I have met a bunch of guys that no mather how impressive the trick is they just say..."well, you are pretty good with you hands aint'ya?"

Note: Im not talking about hecklers...

Well thats true isnt it?
We dont really want them to believe that what we do is real magic.
And besides,you could always do effects that have minimal sleights or looks more 'real'.
For example:exile,distortion,flow,Freezer burn by chris lafferty..
just a few at the top of my head.

 

[Steerpike]

what abou skeptics? I have met a bunch of guys that no mather how impressive the trick is they just say..."well, you are pretty good with you hands aint'ya?"

There is a significant difference between a skeptic and cynic.

As for the rest of the thread, are these really the best answers you all can come up with?

 

[visualartist]

There is a significant difference between a skeptic and cynic.

As for the rest of the thread, are these really the best answers you all can come up with?

Then why dont you give a better answer then?

 

[TheBlack&WhiteIllusionist]

I knew someone would say that.

 

[RickEverhart]

I believe many of us, magicians included, have the desire to be fooled because it allows us to feel like a young child again. A world where your imagination and emotions can take you wherever you want. As a person ages, many times they begin to get "caught up" in the hype of life being about a job, money, stability, etc.
They forget what its like to just relax and view the impossible.

I love it when a good magician fools the hell out of me. I don't always want to know how it works. I like going home from an IBM meeting laying in bed wondering how what I just witnessed "seems" so impossible. Then a smile spreads across my face.

 

[RDChopper]

I like going home from an IBM meeting laying in bed wondering how what I just witnessed "seems" so impossible. Then a smile spreads across my face.

Yeeeeehh... good times

 

[Deleted member 2755]

People enjoy magic because we take what society tells us and we turn it upside down. We know humans can't fly. Its physically impossible, but people went nuts when Blaine went just a few inches off the ground. He did something that was IMPOSSIBLE and there was no explanation for it. When something like that happens, they go back to that inner child state of mind. (See Art of Astonishment Vol. 1. First essay at the start of the book. Pure gold.) People enjoy magic because we take what is impossible and make it possible. We make magic real. People want to believe in magic. No one wants to see the world as it is. People want to believe there is more than what is shown to us. They want to believe that anything is possible and when you do something as simple as a card rise routine, levitate just a few inches, or do anything that is just not possible, you take your spectator(s) out of their normal state of mind and that creates a moment of astonishment.

That is why people enjoy magic.

-Doug

 

[clllllust]

People enjoy magic because we take what society tells us and we turn it upside down. We know humans can't fly. Its physically impossible, but people went nuts when Blaine went just a few inches off the ground. He did something that was IMPOSSIBLE and there was no explanation for it. When something like that happens, they go back to that inner child state of mind. (See Art of Astonishment Vol. 1. First essay at the start of the book. Pure gold.) People enjoy magic because we take what is impossible and make it possible. We make magic real. People want to believe in magic. No one wants to see the world as it is. People want to believe there is more than what is shown to us. They want to believe that anything is possible and when you do something as simple as a card rise routine, levitate just a few inches, or do anything that is just not possible, you take your spectator(s) out of their normal state of mind and that creates a moment of astonishment.

That is why people enjoy magic.

-Doug

Bravo. That's all I can say to that.

-RA69