As was mentioned, the Too Perfect theory isn't about if the trick is actually so clean that it removes all doubt, it is about how it sold. I don't go for the whole casting a shadow or anything like it, though. To each his own. The magical moment can be expressed in a multitude of ways.
I do find it can be beneficial to create doubt. Penn and Teller, Derren Brown, Chan Canasta and me others are proof of this. Pseudo explanations, and even minor exposure, can create a real sense of pure astonishment. Talking about the fact that you use sleight of hand, if done with purpose and direction, can elevate your performance.
When I perform my ACR, I discuss sleight of hand with the audience well before I go into the first phase. The first phase has two parts. Each of those moments accentuate the possibility of sleight of hand, but done cleanly enough that they have no idea what was done. The second phase is clear and precise, yet with a hint of confusion so that they still revert to sleight of hand. The third and final phase (that's right, only three phases) is so impossible, so apparently hands off, that their mind has no explanation to escape to; it is magic.
I have attempted this routine many ways. This is by far the most powerful. Bringing sleight of hand to the forefront relaxes them and enables barriers to be dropped. They feel more comfortable and at ease. And then I slowly block off each path of escape. Or rather, I let them block off each path of escape on their own. I have just scripted and structured the routine in such a way to lead them there.
A great visual aid to learn brilliant use of deception that everyone can immediately access is the show Lost. You don't have to like the actual show to learn from it. The fact is that they are constantly setting things up, making you think a certain thing and snatching it away to create a unique experience on your psyche.
I do agree that, unless used to further the magic, we have no reason to give disclaimers. I thought the maxim was, "a magician never reveals." Disclaimers, unless it is part of your actual act and persona, are a specific and ambiguous type of exposure. If I wanted to play the part of a genuine mind reader, I have absolutely no obligation to honestly answer the question of whether what I do is real or not. If I am not swindling people and taking their money under complete false claims, no one else should try to out me either. If all I am doing is entertaining, nothing is wrong. If I'm talking to someone's deceased mother, that's a different story, but if all I am doing is telling a person who they are thinking of and playing it as real, where is the harm in that?
If your argument is that I am furthering the belief in psychics, give me a break. People will believe what they want to believe. One of the first card tricks I ever performed was 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind.' Some people took it as a fantastic card trick, some people took it as mind reading despite me repeatedly telling them that I didn't. Many "witches" were burned alive or hung from trees even after explaining how they actually accomplished their magic. People belief what they want to belief. You can argue psychics, magic, God and Love all day everyday, but no one will truly hear you unless they choose to. If they choose to, they are already in alignment with you.
One quick note on the quote, "None of us can do real magic."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Each and every one of us creates real magic on a daily basis. And I mean each and every single one of us, not just magicians. We aren't creating astonishment, we are creating a moment to allow a person to fall back into it. That moment can be created in numerous ways. I had it just last week by watching a low laying cloud.
