WSJ: Has Magic Lost Its Magic?

The Central Scrutinizer · 15th September 2006, 11:52 AM

Good article in today's WSJ. You probably need a subscription to access it online (which I have), but some stuff may be available for free.

Or you can look for the print edition.

Cain · 19th September 2006, 04:12 AM

Finally found it. Kind of a lame article. I quote the last part because it deals with my main man, Ricky Jay (you've seen him in David Mamet movies; he also narrated Magnolia).

Quote:

Indeed, you can watch "Magic Secrets Revealed" several times and still not know what hit you when Ricky Jay begins his act. Last year, I went to see Mr. Jay, perhaps the greatest living sleight-of-hand artist. He knows precisely how to draw the audience in, telling witty stories and performing illusions with the greatest of ease.

In one instance, he has a volunteer write her initials on a card and shuffles it back into a deck but is later unable to locate the marked card. He then has the woman open a new pack of cards, one of which bears her initials. (A burly fellow, Mr. Jay is also wonderfully self- deprecating, as when he mentions the Great Malini, a classic conjurer, who supposedly made his wife appear out of a cup, while Mr. Jay himself, as hard as he has tried, cannot even get married.)

In a 1993 New Yorker essay, author Mark Singer describes a card illusion by Ricky Jay as being done "in a manner so simple, natural and miraculous as to render prestidigitation invisible, thereby raising the strong possibility of divine intervention." It is Mr. Jay's mission, writes Mr. Singer, "to reignite our collective sense of wonder." And this he has done, despite not having held his breath under water for seven minutes.

The key to good magic, explains Frank Casto, is not the trick itself but rather the way it is performed. "Many magicians have a hard time learning this, that you can't just buy the latest trick and wow the audience." It's not easy to get this message across to young magicians, notes Mr. Casto. "When you get into magic . . . you want all the latest toys, and that's not really where it's at. It's really taking one thing and learning to present it in an entertaining way."

Mr. Dallas, meanwhile, is optimistic that magic will make a comeback. One reason is that he has heard all this talk of magic's demise before. One of his colleagues assembled a collection of articles, all of which posed the same question: Is Magic dead? The articles dated back for centuries.

Dave1001 · 19th September 2006, 05:21 AM

I've never been into magic, illusions, sleight of hand. More interested in enlightenment, and when I want diversion, I usually watch a movie, tv, orge play on the internet. But I loved Randi's books about confronting Uri and others, because they were great stories. Same with Penn & Teller's show B*llsh*t. Very, very, entertaining. I think most successful entertainers could just get on a stage and tell stories, and they'd be just as successful, even if they never picked up a violin, a deck of cards, or some such other thing.

Almo · 19th September 2006, 04:21 PM

I still find a trick that I haven't seen very impressive, even though I know it's trickery. I desperately try not to be tricked, or to think of when the trick happened. But I almost always miss it.

The Central Scrutinizer · 19th September 2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

I quote the last part because it deals with my main man, Ricky Jay (you've seen him in David Mamet movies; he also narrated Magnolia).

He's also a member of PTA's regular troop of actors.

Alareth · 20th September 2006, 01:01 AM

Forgive me, but what does WSJ stand for?

Bob Klase · 20th September 2006, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Alareth

Forgive me, but what does WSJ stand for?

Wall Street Journal.

Alareth · 20th September 2006, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

Wall Street Journal.

Ahhhh ...

I thoght it was referenceing a magicians magazine I was unaware of.

Josh Redstone · 20th September 2006, 10:13 AM

I don't think magic has lost it's magic, but it's changing nonetheless.
Consider magicians who are very popular with the public these days like David Blaine, or Criss Angel. Both of them don't limit themselves to magic. Angel also plays music, and David Blaine likes to do his 'endurance stunts'. Penn & teller are another good example with their Bullsh*t! show.
I guess what I'm saying magaicians should be diverse. Don't just limit yourself to magic if you want to make a name for yourself. Instead, I think magicians should think of themselves as entertainers, with magic as their main tool for entertainment, supplimenting their act with other cool stuff.

Dave1001 · 20th September 2006, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Alareth

Ahhhh ...

I thoght it was referenceing a magicians magazine I was unaware of.

Bush Sr. might say the editorial pages are more about voodoo than magic

Almo · 20th September 2006, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dave1001

Bush Sr. might say the editorial pages are more about voodoo than magic

Caught you! A post at 2:49... get back to work.

firecoins · 20th September 2006, 05:36 PM

Penn Jillette has a radio show too.

I do magic but I am also a stand up comic. I prefer performing comedy over magic but in rare occasions I get to do both which is fantastic.

Crowbot · 21st September 2006, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Josh Redstone

Don't just limit yourself to magic if you want to make a name for yourself.

Reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite comedians "Mitch Hedburg":

I got into comedy to do comedy, which is weird, I know. But when you're in Hollywood and you're a comedian everybody wants you to do other things besides comedy. They say, "Alright, you're a standup comedian. Can you act? Can you write? Write us a script." They want me to do things that's related to comedy but not comedy. That's not fair. It's as though I was a cook, and I worked my ass off to become a really good cook, and they said, "Alright, you're a cook... Can you farm?"

santapg · 21st September 2006, 10:02 PM

The Young generation, in the megical field, do not want to learn the subject, but want to perform it. I have spended 7 years in magic, but yet i am a learner, I dont think i have become a performer, I generally perform close up & impromptu magic, renovative magic can never die.

Sandip Golani santapg@dataone.in Kolkata - India

robinson · 21st September 2006, 10:16 PM

I still enjoy magic. YouTube and the like have allowed plenty of new magic to show up. Amazing stuff.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=magic&hl=en

Can you tell how he does it?

And then there is just plain whack stuff, like this

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=magic&hl=en

Now thats magic.

robinson · 3rd October 2006, 07:58 AM

http://www.filecabi.net/video/magician-cyril22.html

This stuff just amazes me.

Josh Redstone · 3rd October 2006, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by robinson

http://www.filecabi.net/video/magician-cyril22.html

This stuff just amazes me.

Ah, Cyril. He's great - probably one of the best mainstream names in magic currently performing.

15th September 2006, 11:52 AM	#1
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 20,265	WSJ: Has Magic Lost Its Magic? Good article in today's WSJ. You probably need a subscription to access it online (which I have), but some stuff may be available for free. Or you can look for the print edition.
	__________________ "I got to play with (Michael Goudeau's balls) briefly, and they are primo quality. Heavy, soft, and pliant." - Jeff Wagg "You are always so helpful, rational, and polite." - SaulOhio http://www.stopsylvia.com

19th September 2006, 04:12 AM	#2
Cain Contrarian Join Date: May 2002 Location: S. California Posts: 3,824	Finally found it. Kind of a lame article. I quote the last part because it deals with my main man, Ricky Jay (you've seen him in David Mamet movies; he also narrated Magnolia). Quote: Indeed, you can watch "Magic Secrets Revealed" several times and still not know what hit you when Ricky Jay begins his act. Last year, I went to see Mr. Jay, perhaps the greatest living sleight-of-hand artist. He knows precisely how to draw the audience in, telling witty stories and performing illusions with the greatest of ease. In one instance, he has a volunteer write her initials on a card and shuffles it back into a deck but is later unable to locate the marked card. He then has the woman open a new pack of cards, one of which bears her initials. (A burly fellow, Mr. Jay is also wonderfully self- deprecating, as when he mentions the Great Malini, a classic conjurer, who supposedly made his wife appear out of a cup, while Mr. Jay himself, as hard as he has tried, cannot even get married.) In a 1993 New Yorker essay, author Mark Singer describes a card illusion by Ricky Jay as being done "in a manner so simple, natural and miraculous as to render prestidigitation invisible, thereby raising the strong possibility of divine intervention." It is Mr. Jay's mission, writes Mr. Singer, "to reignite our collective sense of wonder." And this he has done, despite not having held his breath under water for seven minutes. The key to good magic, explains Frank Casto, is not the trick itself but rather the way it is performed. "Many magicians have a hard time learning this, that you can't just buy the latest trick and wow the audience." It's not easy to get this message across to young magicians, notes Mr. Casto. "When you get into magic . . . you want all the latest toys, and that's not really where it's at. It's really taking one thing and learning to present it in an entertaining way." Mr. Dallas, meanwhile, is optimistic that magic will make a comeback. One reason is that he has heard all this talk of magic's demise before. One of his colleagues assembled a collection of articles, all of which posed the same question: Is Magic dead? The articles dated back for centuries.
	__________________ Well, well, well. If it ain't the serious, elusive Leroy Green. I've been waitin' a long time for this, Leroy. I am sick of hearin' these buuuuullshit Superman stories about the "wassah" legendary Bruce Leroy catchin' bullets with his teeth. Catches bullets with his teeth?! Niggah pleeze.

19th September 2006, 05:21 AM	#3
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,717	I've never been into magic, illusions, sleight of hand. More interested in enlightenment, and when I want diversion, I usually watch a movie, tv, orge play on the internet. But I loved Randi's books about confronting Uri and others, because they were great stories. Same with Penn & Teller's show Bllsht. Very, very, entertaining. I think most successful entertainers could just get on a stage and tell stories, and they'd be just as successful, even if they never picked up a violin, a deck of cards, or some such other thing.
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,717	__________________ I'm here to discuss ideas, not to get personal. I won't criticize you personally, please don't criticize me personally. I won't direct ad hominems at you, please don't direct ad hominems at me. I won't attack you or put you down, please don't attack me or put me down. Thanks.

19th September 2006, 04:21 PM	#4
Almo Masterblazer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 2,838	I still find a trick that I haven't seen very impressive, even though I know it's trickery. I desperately try not to be tricked, or to think of when the trick happened. But I almost always miss it.
	__________________ Almo! My Blog "God may not play dice with the universe, but something strange is going on with the prime numbers." — Paul Erdős Stop being so rational. It doesn't make any sense. - Gauthier Malou

19th September 2006, 10:05 PM	#5
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 20,265	Originally Posted by Cain I quote the last part because it deals with my main man, Ricky Jay (you've seen him in David Mamet movies; he also narrated Magnolia). He's also a member of PTA's regular troop of actors.
	__________________ "I got to play with (Michael Goudeau's balls) briefly, and they are primo quality. Heavy, soft, and pliant." - Jeff Wagg "You are always so helpful, rational, and polite." - SaulOhio http://www.stopsylvia.com

20th September 2006, 01:01 AM	#6
Alareth Sarcasm Distribution System Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,912	Forgive me, but what does WSJ stand for?
	__________________ Stellar Visions \| Stop Sylvia Browne \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak "Hi mjd[1982]. Don't worry about breaking any news to us, you're really in very little danger of ever doing that." - Stellafane

20th September 2006, 07:42 AM	#7
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	Originally Posted by Alareth Forgive me, but what does WSJ stand for? Wall Street Journal.

20th September 2006, 08:00 AM	#8
Alareth Sarcasm Distribution System Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,912	Originally Posted by Bob Klase Wall Street Journal. Ahhhh ... I thoght it was referenceing a magicians magazine I was unaware of.
	__________________ Stellar Visions \| Stop Sylvia Browne \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak "Hi mjd[1982]. Don't worry about breaking any news to us, you're really in very little danger of ever doing that." - Stellafane

20th September 2006, 10:13 AM	#9
Josh Redstone Thinker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 205	I don't think magic has lost it's magic, but it's changing nonetheless. Consider magicians who are very popular with the public these days like David Blaine, or Criss Angel. Both of them don't limit themselves to magic. Angel also plays music, and David Blaine likes to do his 'endurance stunts'. Penn & teller are another good example with their Bullsh*t! show. I guess what I'm saying magaicians should be diverse. Don't just limit yourself to magic if you want to make a name for yourself. Instead, I think magicians should think of themselves as entertainers, with magic as their main tool for entertainment, supplimenting their act with other cool stuff.

20th September 2006, 12:49 PM	#10
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,717	Originally Posted by Alareth Ahhhh ... I thoght it was referenceing a magicians magazine I was unaware of. Bush Sr. might say the editorial pages are more about voodoo than magic
Dave1001 Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,717	__________________ I'm here to discuss ideas, not to get personal. I won't criticize you personally, please don't criticize me personally. I won't direct ad hominems at you, please don't direct ad hominems at me. I won't attack you or put you down, please don't attack me or put me down. Thanks.

20th September 2006, 01:53 PM	#11
Almo Masterblazer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 2,838	Originally Posted by Dave1001 Bush Sr. might say the editorial pages are more about voodoo than magic Caught you! A post at 2:49... get back to work.
	__________________ Almo! My Blog "God may not play dice with the universe, but something strange is going on with the prime numbers." — Paul Erdős Stop being so rational. It doesn't make any sense. - Gauthier Malou

20th September 2006, 05:36 PM	#12
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,054	Penn Jillette has a radio show too. I do magic but I am also a stand up comic. I prefer performing comedy over magic but in rare occasions I get to do both which is fantastic.

21st September 2006, 12:35 PM	#13
Crowbot Thinker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orlando, FL, USA Posts: 146	Originally Posted by Josh Redstone Don't just limit yourself to magic if you want to make a name for yourself. Reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite comedians "Mitch Hedburg": I got into comedy to do comedy, which is weird, I know. But when you're in Hollywood and you're a comedian everybody wants you to do other things besides comedy. They say, "Alright, you're a standup comedian. Can you act? Can you write? Write us a script." They want me to do things that's related to comedy but not comedy. That's not fair. It's as though I was a cook, and I worked my ass off to become a really good cook, and they said, "Alright, you're a cook... Can you farm?"

21st September 2006, 10:02 PM	#14
santapg New Blood Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1	Renovative Magic cannot die The Young generation, in the megical field, do not want to learn the subject, but want to perform it. I have spended 7 years in magic, but yet i am a learner, I dont think i have become a performer, I generally perform close up & impromptu magic, renovative magic can never die. Sandip Golani santapg@dataone.in Kolkata - India
santapg New Blood Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1

21st September 2006, 10:16 PM	#15
robinson Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 6,136	I still enjoy magic. YouTube and the like have allowed plenty of new magic to show up. Amazing stuff. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=magic&hl=en Can you tell how he does it? And then there is just plain whack stuff, like this http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=magic&hl=en Now thats magic.

3rd October 2006, 07:58 AM	#16
robinson Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 6,136	http://www.filecabi.net/video/magician-cyril22.html This stuff just amazes me.

3rd October 2006, 09:47 AM	#17
Josh Redstone Thinker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 205	Originally Posted by robinson http://www.filecabi.net/video/magician-cyril22.html This stuff just amazes me. Ah, Cyril. He's great - probably one of the best mainstream names in magic currently performing.
	__________________ The Abecedarian Philosopher Watch me