Why do you want to see magic?

[Randy]

Well what I plan to do is mix Psychology and a bit magic into. Like you can present a few things here and there has something that you recall your psychology professor talking about, than the other thing could just be a pure miracle.

You can still do your basic card or coin tricks. Just present them in a bit more interesting way.

 

[Steerpike]

On the same lines on this newfound discovery of using story/history to create a sense of quality magic, do you think there are other ways that it can be implied? Like a different theme or something? Say instead of the old prediction theme, we tweek that and talk bout horoscopes, or i-ching to futher improve that prediction thing.

What you described there is what cold readers have been doing for centuries. The trappings of a theme go a long way to creating realism and theatricality.

You mention studying psychology. I would approach this from a less literal perspective.

Just throwing this one out there: consider studying Jungian archetypes and the collective unconscious. Combine that with some of the themes in Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" and you can shift the focus of the trick off of you and onto the spectator. Mix this with some cold reading, and you create the impression of a soul-gazing mystic who helps people unlock their true selves. At that point, the cards and coins are purely incidental.

 

[Randy]

Well the Psychology thing was merely a way to present the magic in a less silly way and to sort of have it connect with them on a more intellectual level. Ala Derren Browns style (yeah I know he just uses it as a ruse.. )

Tho I'll look into some Jungian stuff next week when I head into the book store.

 

[Shakutau]

Thanks Steer. Certainly will check it out.

Soul-gazing. Now that reminds me of the ritualist from guild wars.

 

[Steerpike]

Well the Psychology thing was merely a way to present the magic in a less silly way and to sort of have it connect with them on a more intellectual level. Ala Derren Browns style (yeah I know he just uses it as a ruse.. )

I've taken to calling Derren's use of "psychological illusions" an exalt of the weird. He's creating a reality.

Magic can be presented in a number of ways, the important thing is for it to be consistent and have a sense of verisimilitude.

For example, Drop's description of an entire rogues gallery of gamblers and con men who hung out with actual historical figures would be an exalt of the weird. He's giving people a look into a reality. You just have to be able to do it with a straight face.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

As an example, look at some of the movies from the 1950's pretending to understand science. One such movie about time travel actually suggested that radiometric dating could produce a negative number. A statue sent back from the future was dated to be made in the year 5200. Anyone with even a rough understanding of carbon-14 dating is will tell you that's physically impossible. The screenwriter was making it up.

You don't want to get caught in such a situation.

Out of curiosity. Have you considered Einstein's theory that time slows as mass travels towards the speed of light? What is not to say that our universe is traveling at the speed of light and through advanced physics a future being was able to slow down his own time by traveling at a slower speed? We would age slower than him. And he could show us a statue that would produce "a negative number."

 

[Steerpike]

Out of curiosity. Have you considered Einstein's theory that time slows as mass travels towards the speed of light? What is not to say that our universe is traveling at the speed of light and through advanced physics a future being was able to slow down his own time by traveling at a slower speed? We would age slower than him. And he could show us a statue that would produce "a negative number."

Doesn't scan. Radiometric dating is based on the halflife of Carbon 14. It is physically and mathematically impossible to produce a negative number.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

Doesn't scan. Radiometric dating is based on the halflife of Carbon 14. It is physically and mathematically impossible to produce a negative number.

What's the formula man? I know it is pretty simple. Say the years changed place. That wouldn't make it mathematically possible?

 

[Steerpike]

Here's a little website with some information on the process of radiometric dating that also debunks a couple misconceptions. One of the first results on Google. I would like to also add that this illustrates how easy research is in this day and age. When planning out a mythos for one's act, doing the homework is much less painful than most people think it is.

 

[visualartist]

So has this helped any one answer the "why should the audiences care about our magic?" question?

 

[Randy]

Well they shouldn't care if what you are doing has no context or meaning behind it. But if you can make it connect with them emotionally and Intellectually then they'll end up caring.

Most people when they start out, do magic, just to do it. Which is fine.

 

[visualartist]

Just because you say they shouldnt,doesnt mean they dont.
It HAS to have meaning behind it,or you'll just suck to them.Or you'll just be a minor entertaining distraction.Just like when people go to the movies.

 

[Randy]

Yes, I know that.

 

[Shakutau]

So has this helped any one answer the "why should the audiences care about our magic?" question?

I will give this a go.

A part of me feels guilty to answer this, as it is always us (the magician) who makes or breaks the whole show. Nevertheless, i believe audiences should care for our magic, because we want them to rediscover magic like we did. In other words, we are hoping for a second chance to correct things previously done wrong by the unknown identities before us. Dont talk all that stuff about "the impossible", "the other side", "the moment of astonishment", "the depth of magic", "the beauty of our art which you dont understand" and all that blames.

No one owes you. No ones to blame. But the magician. Which is us by the way. If you perform it with that heart that is.

Until we win them back, we wont be able to do anything.