talkmagic.co.uk

This is more aimed at the mental types amongst us but I've been wondering to myself why people are so keen to offer an explaination for what they do, wether it be the current fad of psychology or perhaps psychic ability. Whatever the explaination, why do we feel that we've got to even give one?

I've played with explaining things as psychology, psychic, vibes from crystals, all sorts. Now I just think to myself, why offer anything, imply things by all means but is there really any need to tell them you're reading their body language or seeing their aura (I've used both). I've found that if you offer no concrete explainations then the look on the faces is more that of wonder then the 'oh that's clever' smile that you get when they think they know what you're doing.

At my last gig, I used a crystal pendulum and would have the spec holding it while I read their mind or predicted what ever I was predicting. Giving them the pendulum implied that I was using it in some way but I never told them exactly how, if asked I'd just say that it helps me to focus. Reactions seemed so much stronger and left people with a sense of mystery which seems to be destroyed as soon as they have an explaination.

I know different things suit different people but it's just something that I've been thinking about since last weekend, a little thing that really seemed to make a difference for me.

why do we feel that we've got to even give one?

Because if someone ask's and you just say "Im not telling you" then its kinda weak? I dunno...might not be, but people are intrigued by the science or workings behind something...plus its really nice to make up a load of sh*t about some energy or muscle reaction that causes it, all part of the fun me ladee.

To add- a lot of this area is hit and miss, I think its best to give an explanation if you feel it neccessary and dont if not...go with what you feel you would want to know/believe in that situation...some people just dont want to know, because they "feel" what it is that you are doing. Others who dont "feel" it want the expo, so then just play with them

I perhaps think that as well by giving an explanation people may think that this then solidifies in the spectators mind that it is not a mere trick, as why would you be telling them how it was done/or worked...?

Of course if they ask you're not going to just say "I'm not telling you", personally I find a friendly smile and a wink works well for me.

I was just thinking that some people put so much effort into convincing their audience that they're using psychological techniques or what ever they're trying to put across that they take away some of the mystery. Just me thinking aloud really.

There are a few reasons we have to give an explanation:


1. So it looks more like skill than a trick: if you give no explanation, most intelligant people will think its a trick, rather than any mental phenomina. (if I use a drawing duplication and don't explain that its by psychology and such, then they think its a magic trick)

2. So they don't start to believe in psychics and the like. We don't want them to be gullible and scammed.

3. Entertainment. Its fun to think you know something about what happened.

4. It stops them trying to find out how it was done; so its like a form of method misdirection.

Great point, mysterious one!

But - I think you still give an explanation - even if it is only implied. Just the idea of having to "focus the mind" makes a definite impression. When I perform in the guise of a mentalist, I don't offer any explanation either - but there is plenty implied. There is always sub-text and inner dialogue that leaves a distinct impression, even if I don't come out and say anything about it. Simply telling someone to concentrate or focus leaves a definite impression.

I think too much explanation can detract from many effects and even lessen them. Sometimes budding mentalists and magicians will offer an explanation simply to assuage their own guilt. Sometimes it is to imitate someone else. Corinda insisted that you must, in someway, define your "special powers" as a mentalist, but that doesn't have to be spoken - it is simply to stay in character and to be more believable. For example, a hypnotist or mind reader will not necessarily also possess the power of levitation or metal bending, etc.

I find a friendly smile and a wink works well for me

I dont think Id question you either if you did that to me

I think you need at least a hint of an explanation, if only to act as misdirection. I'm speaking about mentalism here, of course.

Chris, I'd hope that you'd have the good sense to not to question me anyway

Ted & Shufton, that's exactly what I was trying to get at. Imply all you like, I can't see how you can not at least do that. It's the whole going out of your way to explain things that I'm not so sure about. As with the pendulum I use, I'll have them hold it and then reveal my information. Rather then coming out and saying that I'm getting my vibes from the pendulum, I'm finding things stronger if I just let them come to that assumption themselves or any other assumptions that they want to come to. I don't know if it's just me but by implying things and letting them make the connection rather then telling them outright what you're doing then you're leaving them with a little bit of doubt, a little bit of mystery.

Chris, I'd hope that you'd have the good sense to not to question me anyway

of course not you remind me of my wife, thats enough to be to scared to question you hehe (just teasing)

Personally I don't see the need to offer an explanation. My attitude is it is just something I am doing, and I hope it entertains you. If I can run a race faster than you, I won't explain myself afterwards. I will just run faster than you, and leave it at that. Same with reading minds. Just do it, and let them form their own explanations depending on their belief systems.

This is what I have been trying to say in every single one of Elshy's short lived threads. I'm glad someone managed to get this point across!

Thank you

It is kind of like telling a joke, if you have to explain it, you have told it wrong.

Same with magic/mentalism if you have to explain it away then you may want to rethink your presentation because you have presented it wrong.

I'm always disapointed if somebody asks me how I did something. I'd much rather the 'wow thats really cool,' (or strange, odd, fill in your own words).

Point is if I'm a magician they know it. If I'm a mentalist they know it, if I'm just a freak of nature who just returned from a monastary in the misty mountains of tibet where I've studied the ancient art of ifoou for the past 100 years, they know it. The entire story is told in the presentation therefore I don't have to offer any explanation. As stated by those above, it is implied in the performance.

I did some cold reading to someone the other day (Cheers Voodini!), and i delivered what has become a pretty standard script in some ways but obviously tailored according to who it is. Ahh you get what I'm saying.

ANYWAY, the point is this girl knew i studied psychology. So, she straight away claimed that's how i was doing it and even said - happily - that i must be very good at it as i got a lot of hits.

This made me sad. Firstly, because i wanted it to have more of an air of mystery, and the fact that she was convinced it was grounded in body language and other earthly things took away any air of mystery, which leads me on to point number two........i really don't like using psychology as an explanation. It feels like a poor answer.

I much prefer to leave it hanging. If this girl didn't know i studied Psychology, how would she have justified it all in her head? THAT'S what i really wanted to know. She had a get-out, some way she could explain it, and she hung on to it.

When you do a magic trick, people always ask - if they enjoyed it and it was good - how did you do that? To answer....well you know, a lot of sleight of hand and misdirection.....seems boring to me, no matter how close to the truth it may be. Its called magic, not sleight of hand, even though that is a tool for the job.

Good question and thread Lady of Mystery.

Very well said, lommy

bmat wrote:It is kind of like telling a joke, if you have to explain it, you have told it wrong.

Kinda like anything I think. If you need a sign on a door saying 'push' the door is doing something wrong. The person will only pull it anyway