talkmagic.co.uk

It doesn't matter what explanation you give, or if you give any at all. People will usually decide for themselves how it's done. Right now I claim to be using magick, rituals, spells and pagan gods. Plenty of times I've heard rational skeptics dismiss my claims as stupid Bullsh*t and then go on to tell all who'll listen of my obvious psychological manipulation skills. And despite what we may think or say, we don't do magic to entertain people, stop them being exploited or give them comfort. We do it to appear amazing and godlike in our spectators eyes. To transform ourselves into interesting, special people. (Which is probably why the nerd factor in magic is so high.) So do what you want to do because thats the whole point of magic.

And Eshly I'm not having a go at you, but if you don't want people to be exploited because of the lies you and other magicians make you wouldn't lie about what you can do and what can be done with psychology. http://www.inspirational-sayings-in-act ... index.html

Sometimes you do and sometime you don't.

Often when you do need to give an explanation that's where the misdirection is, and even a good proportion of mentalism routines need misdirection.

Derren Brown wrote in one of his books that he recommended that all mentalists learn the cups and balls as it was the one sleight of hand trick that taught misdirection as well as timing.

for me, most patter falls into one of three categories:
1.) narration (I will now take your card and...)
2.) story or reference to another event, using the trick as a way of telling it
3.) explanation.

no, these are not all and yes, sometimes there are parts of each but as far as I've noticed, these are by far the most common and all have there merits.

Some of the apparent explanations are more entertaining than the effects!!!

All good wishes

Mike Danata

i think explaining a little of the who/what/why helps...

as it can either engage more, or challenge more - both can be good if handled correctly...

it also lets you define things in your own terms...psychic doesn't have to mean all knowing and all seeing if you can explain why...

and if anyone says "eurgh you're a liar, and immoral 'cos you talk to the dead..." - you can tell them to grow up, and thats mediumship, not psychic ability...

"hey mister, if you're so psychic how come you didnt see 9/11 coming?"

"'cos that's not how my mental faculties work...*its here you give YOUR explanation"...

http://www.wonderwizards.com/product_in ... cts_id=447

is a good book (now download)...