What about speculation?

[shanek]

If we witness a magic trick, and guess how it's done, even if we guess correctly, can we still discuss it here?

I would think that would actually be a positive contribution to magic, as it would weed out the secrets that can be easily sussed out. I remember reading somewhere that David Copperfield loves it when people correctly guess how he does his tricks, because then he can change the way he does them, and do it in a way that precludes doing the way he did it before. Really throws people off.

[Lavie Enrose]

Originally posted by shanek
I remember reading somewhere that David Copperfield loves it when people correctly guess how he does his tricks, because then he can change the way he does them, and do it in a way that precludes doing the way he did it before. Really throws people off.

David Copperfield on magic exposure (http://www.magiciansalliance.com/david.html)

Well, in magic, you have to reinvent faster than they can expose. Besides, I realize that for some people it might be fun to try and guess how and effect is done. That's why I've always made it a point to use four or five methods for each illusion I perform and to change them from time to time. So if someone wants to try to guess the secrets, they are free to do so.

"The people I really feel for, the ones who are getting hurt by those [magic exposure] shows, are my colleagues in the magic community, performers who make a living doing magic but who don't have the resources to construct different methods for each effect they perform, and who can't afford to keep adding new illusions. About 90 percent of working magicians support themselves and their families with bookings at corporate events, parties, that kind of thing. When their effects are exposed, they suffer. No one wants to hire them to perform illusions whose secrets were revealed on television. So they and their families are being hurt by the sudden lack of employment caused by these shows.

[Lavie Enrose]

Originally posted by shanek
If we witness a magic trick, and guess how it's done, even if we guess correctly, can we still discuss it here?

I think that might fall into the category of exposure for the sake of exposure which is not allowed here (as I understand the rule). However, I see nothing wrong with discussing a trick that you saw, as long as the secrets of the trick are not exposed.