The exposing of magic. Pros v Cons

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Thinker
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Jun 3, 2009
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As to not derail another thread here I thought I would just start a new one.

I don’t see a problem with the exposing of magic tricks and methods. With the exception of intellectual property and marked gimmicks, what is the problem with exposing a method or sleight that is in the public domain, or speculating on methods for effects?

What are your thoughts?
 
chainlink said:
My thoughts are ... that people should consider using the search function before starting another new thread - especially on a topic that's already been discussed as much as this one ;)

here's just a few (of many):

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122524
http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129167
http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6940
Click to expand...

WoW... Dude lighten up... Sorry you were so offended...
 
The last post on this subject in those threads were made 18 months ago. About time we had another thread on the subject.

There are not many trades that depend on secrets not being revealed. Defence is one. Anyone know of others?
 
I am thinking more on the lines where the profession would be ruined if the secrets of how things were done were revealed. Am not sure that the two examples above would meet that criteria.
It would be very hard for a magician to earn a living if at the end of his act he had to say how it was done.

Edit. One example is being psychic. If people knew it was just cold or warm reading then their services would not be used.
 
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I have to fall into the camp that the 'how it's done' is over-rated.

I've attended many a close-up competition where I knew the 'how it was done' and still found it magical. Anyone who watched Al Goshman perform his sponge ball routine, which was already published and quite well known, would understand that the mere 'how' wasn't the 'genius' part at all.

In fact, I would say that is why I no longer perform magic. I knew the how, but I never had the talent that turned the how into a worthwhile performance.
 
Are there really any “Secrets” ? I think that the whole Secrets of magic is a myth, and magicians are just holding on to an antiquated belief that they are the ones “in the know” . Are there any secrets left to reveal?

When Vernon found the center deal, after searching for years, he kept it close. Only one or two of his closest friends did he give “the real work” . I just did a google search for center deal and the top hit was Youtube vids, and then pages and pages of links…
 
rjh01 said:
I am thinking more on the lines where the profession would be ruined if the secrets of how things were done were revealed. Am not sure that the two examples above would meet that criteria.
It would be very hard for a magician to earn a living if at the end of his act he had to say how it was done.

Edit. One example is being psychic. If people knew it was just cold or warm reading then their services would not be used.
Click to expand...

I don’t know that anyone is saying that you must, at the end on an act reveal how the tricks were done… But many magicians do say at the beginning or end of their acts that what they see is just tricks done with sleight-of-hand.

I remember seeing a Penn & Teller act where Teller was smoking a cigarette, going through the motions of lighting it, taking a puff, and throwing it on the floor putting it out with his foot. Then Penn explained the method of all sleight-of-hand making you believe you were watching someone smoke when in reality you were watching a complicated sleight-of-hand routine. In that bit they “exposed” many sleights. And no harm was done to them, their act or magic in general.
 
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