The Effect
In envelopes, pockets, folded billets, and boxes, written predictions have become a standard theme in magic. Its easy to see why. The ability to predict the future is something central to being human. In fact, some consider it the most important measure of intelligence. The ability to be prepared for future events is a critical survival skill. Even in our day to day lives, weathermen, stock analysts, marketers, politicians, lawyers, and hundreds of other occupations are focused around the outcome of future events. Predicting the future is a theme everyone can relate to and see the value of.
The focus of any prediction effect inevitably comes down to its integrity.
When a television escape artist puts on chains, traditionally he will have a privately hired member of the local police force examine them to make sure the handcuffs he is using are legitimate. In this way, a 3rd party has vouched to the audience for the effect’s integrity.
There are a couple of drawbacks to this when performing casually for friends. First, most of us are not under 24 hour police surveillance. This makes contracting a member of local law enforcement impractical. And second, even when a privately or even “randomly” selected police officer is chosen from an audience during a stage show, their legitimacy is still in question. Are they really a police officer or an actor who is part of the show? Each time a question like this is asked, it chips away precious credibility from the performance.
In a written prediction effect (particularly between a mentalist and a single individual), there is a dilemma of who to entrust with the prediction until the time of revelation.
If the mentalist holds onto it, the details could be discretely changed (as they often are), compromising the integrity of the prediction. If the spectator holds onto it, they could read it and possibly change the outcome, also compromising the original prediction.
Ideally we would have an escrow style trusted 3rd-party agent who could hang on to the prediction for us until after the predicted event. There would also be severe penalties for either side to tamper with the prediction.
The solution I propose in Postmentalism is to use the US Postal Service to mail a prediction to your friend’s home.
Benefits
Buildup
Anticipation is a huge part of pleasure. It’s what makes Christmas mornings, 16th birthdays and Fridays so much juicier. In Postmentalism, your spectator will be looking forward to receiving this mysterious prediction from you for at least a day or two, listening for the mailman and anticipating what it could be.
Private Reaction
I touched on this concept in my effect “Mix Tape”. Regardless of whether you’re performing on stage or walk-around, it’s impossible to get a truly honest reaction from someone as long as you’re watching them. By sending the prediction to their home, your spectator is somewhere they feel safe, comfortable, relaxed and most importantly, alone, to react completely genuinely to your performance. It’s obviously a different kind of performance where you don’t get to see a “freak-out” moment, but one that hits hard and will be remembered forever regardless.
Souvenir
In many tricks, the spectator is left with some scrap of signed card that the magician gives to them (usually to avoid having to walk it over to the waste basket) with the belief that they will cherish it and remember them fondly forever. The problem is that usually it’s a meaningless shred of a performance. In Postmentalism, the spectator receives an envelope, addressed and mailed to them, delivered to their door the old fashioned way (which is only getting more memorable as email takes over), that they personally put in the mail. This envelope contains a full recount of what happened during the performance and any time they look back at it they will be able to relive the moment.
Postal Integrity
As far as middlemen go, it doesn’t get much better than the USPS. It’s actually a felony to tamper with the mail. Assuming both you and your spectator are performing outside the walls of a prison, this should be more than enough to convince them that no one has changed the prediction.
FAQ
QWill Postmentalism work with foreign postal services?
AYes! In fact, not only will it work in different countries, it even works when you're mailing from one country to another!
Cost
$29.95 - about £20 (if you add on the postage
)
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
1-2 - very easy
Review
I just couldn't for the life of me think how this was done. When it arrived I read the manuscript straight away. And you know those moments when you thnk "Now why didn't I think of that"? This isn't one of them - this is a time when the method is so different to what I would have expected, I just couldn't help but admire the way that this guy thinks.
How clean is it? It is just like the preview says - there are no hidden stuff there. It is you writing a prediction, putting it in the envelope, writing the address, and letting them post it.
The gimmick that comes with it? I didn't even know that one of these existed! The only downside is what I will do when the gimmick stops working...it isn't something that will last forever Maybe Mr Stockman will release the gimmicks seperately as well? Something to think about!
Alvo covers what to do if the envelope is opened prematurely as well. Furthermore, he shows how to provide inherent proof that the envelope that they receive is the same one as they posted! Not sure why they wouldn question it though, considering they told you the address, saw it written correctly, stuck the stamp on, and posted it themselves
Overall
Overall I can see this as a definate something that I shall be using. The great thing about this is that all you have to have on you when you want to do it is the gimmick...which you could have in your pocket all day long without causing a fuss! It takes up next to no room at all in your pocket as well.
This isn't really for a show. This will, however, help get you bookings for a show. Either way, this shows some truly original thinking, and has persuaded me to purchase Alvo's effect "Poetry Reading" when it gets released!
In all, this is definately something that I thought was worth it!
