I want to start a discussion perhaps in a series but for now let's focus on the topic here. I am more playing devils advocate.
I personally have never been grabbed by prediction magic. I just do not get it. Whether you are getting a bunch of random numbers from an audience and showing those same numbers some "magical way" I am always left feeling the same thing, "Wow, I don't know how that happens but meh so what?". The problem I come to is that for all that magic is and can be, prediction, does not feel magical. When the effect ends it leaves me wanting to feel like anything is possible, the only result I am left with is that this prediction is in some way possible and I do not know it therefore it becomes null. And please do not confuse this with the mentality that all magic tricks are that way; I am stating beyond the simple effect prediction does not bring me to something the same way Vernon's traveler's, Tommy Wonder's Coin routines (anything by Wonder actually), or that Pen and Teller have brought me to time and again. So I think whats the big deal?
Some might say this falls inline with the "too perfect theory" that is another topic for another time but is something I am equally not impressed with. But perhaps a prediction, like that of a lottery ticket number just seems so unlikely to be possible it leaves us realizing what really went on.
For me though, it comes down to that feeling, when you watch Teller perform "shadows" you feel something inside you that suspends belief that gets swept away with the performance of the magic and the art. Predictions regardless of the work the performer puts into it and the cleverness of the effect leaves me unimpressed, unmystified and quite frankly perturbed. Its not magic, its not in my mind at least.
Now obviously the rest of the world does not think like I do. So in the interest of the community, and fellow magicians for those who perform it, those who like it, and those who have a grasp on it. Why? Why choose to do that over another effect?
I do not wish to start any kind of war between opinions, so lets please keep this is the realm of hospitality. I want a good discussion here, not insults
I personally have never been grabbed by prediction magic. I just do not get it. Whether you are getting a bunch of random numbers from an audience and showing those same numbers some "magical way" I am always left feeling the same thing, "Wow, I don't know how that happens but meh so what?". The problem I come to is that for all that magic is and can be, prediction, does not feel magical. When the effect ends it leaves me wanting to feel like anything is possible, the only result I am left with is that this prediction is in some way possible and I do not know it therefore it becomes null. And please do not confuse this with the mentality that all magic tricks are that way; I am stating beyond the simple effect prediction does not bring me to something the same way Vernon's traveler's, Tommy Wonder's Coin routines (anything by Wonder actually), or that Pen and Teller have brought me to time and again. So I think whats the big deal?
Some might say this falls inline with the "too perfect theory" that is another topic for another time but is something I am equally not impressed with. But perhaps a prediction, like that of a lottery ticket number just seems so unlikely to be possible it leaves us realizing what really went on.
For me though, it comes down to that feeling, when you watch Teller perform "shadows" you feel something inside you that suspends belief that gets swept away with the performance of the magic and the art. Predictions regardless of the work the performer puts into it and the cleverness of the effect leaves me unimpressed, unmystified and quite frankly perturbed. Its not magic, its not in my mind at least.
Now obviously the rest of the world does not think like I do. So in the interest of the community, and fellow magicians for those who perform it, those who like it, and those who have a grasp on it. Why? Why choose to do that over another effect?
I do not wish to start any kind of war between opinions, so lets please keep this is the realm of hospitality. I want a good discussion here, not insults