David Blaine's New Stunt

Brown · 19th August 2003, 07:22 AM

From The New York Times (registration required):

Quote:

"Everything I've done before is irrelevant," he said in a recent interview, speaking in a nasally mumble that falls somewhere between distraction and shyness. "This one is going to be different."

"This one" is the latest stunt Mr. Blaine has devised for himself, an endurance test with as few frills as possible (except of course a small television deal and a documentary to be shot by a friend, the filmmaker Harmony Korine).

Beginning Sept. 5, Mr. Blaine says, he will spend 44 days in a Plexiglas box, 7 feet long by 7 feet tall by 3 feet wide, suspended over the Thames River in London.

Note: The article might be deemed as "giving away secrets," but Blaine denies it.

Diamond · 19th August 2003, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brown
From The New York Times (registration required):Note: The article might be deemed as "giving away secrets," but Blaine denies it.

I'd like to see someone survive on just water for six weeks. I have a feeling that Blaine might pull out for "technical reasons"

reprise · 23rd August 2003, 06:07 PM

Hmmmm. I wonder how amenable Blaine would be to letting skeptics monitor his "water" supply. Not very, I suspect.

Quote:

"I believe it is completely possible to exist peacefully with absolutely nothing, as it was in the beginning and as it will be in the end"

*cough* Really David? Then how about you exist without the "water" during your stunt.

Anyone want to place bets on how many Million Dollar Challenge applicants we're going to get wanted to be tested for this same "ability"?

homunculus · 30th August 2003, 06:53 AM

It's getting a bit boring (to me). He just keeps doing the same stunt over and over again.

Paul.

Dogwood · 30th August 2003, 04:15 PM

look at the bright side. At least no one has to worry about running into him on the street for 44 days.

rustypouch · 30th August 2003, 04:22 PM

His stunts are all similar, and the have been done before, and better.

Does the name Shipwreck Kelly ring any bells?

homunculus · 31st August 2003, 03:25 AM

Shipwreck Kelly? Nope....

Paul.

reprise · 2nd September 2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

My next challenge, or performance piece, is based on confronting that fear directly. It's called Alone . It has to do with being solitary, completely isolated from everything, for a very extended period of time - 44 days and 44 nights, in isolation. With no food. Just liquid with vitamins in it.

from Guardian UK interview.

Silicon · 9th September 2003, 08:17 PM

Disclaimer... I know nothing about David Blaine's techniques.

But COME ON. This is DULLSVILLE. Gee, that sleeping bag can't possibly be filled with beef jerky.

This guy isn't a magician. He's a stuntman who learned to palm a snickers bar.

What's next, he volunteers to survive a week without air by ballooning out his cheeks and pursing his lips? HEY BLAINE! I CAUGHT YOU BREATHING THROUGH YOUR NOSE!

Phil · 9th September 2003, 08:22 PM

If his stunt is called Alone, why does he have to do it hanging over the Thames? Couldn't he lock himself in his back yard, or in his basement where he would actually be alone, and not an eye sore for everyone crossing the bridge.

I don't think he's as sincere about testing his limits, as he is about perpetrating a spectacle. I think it's all a show. Possibly a dangerous show, but a show nonetheless.

tonygraham · 12th September 2003, 07:28 AM

And I wonder whether that water is really just water and vitamins, or maybe it has a little sugar or amino acids or or or or or .........

Anyway, I really can't see that it's such a great spectacle, sitting in a box. Mind you, as well as people firing eggs and golf balls, some girls have been showing him their breasts, so he probably doesn't feel that alone. I wouldn't.

Richard G · 20th September 2003, 08:01 PM

Kind of like watching the grass grow. While the stunt has technical, and puclicity creating merits, I'd give it a "D minus" in the showmanship department.

19th August 2003, 07:22 AM	#1
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	David Blaine's New Stunt From The New York Times (registration required): Quote: "Everything I've done before is irrelevant," he said in a recent interview, speaking in a nasally mumble that falls somewhere between distraction and shyness. "This one is going to be different." "This one" is the latest stunt Mr. Blaine has devised for himself, an endurance test with as few frills as possible (except of course a small television deal and a documentary to be shot by a friend, the filmmaker Harmony Korine). Beginning Sept. 5, Mr. Blaine says, he will spend 44 days in a Plexiglas box, 7 feet long by 7 feet tall by 3 feet wide, suspended over the Thames River in London. Note: The article might be deemed as "giving away secrets," but Blaine denies it.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

19th August 2003, 09:36 AM	#2
Diamond SkepticWiki Founder Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 'Stralia Posts: 4,748	Re: David Blaine's New Stunt Quote: Originally posted by Brown From The New York Times (registration required):Note: The article might be deemed as "giving away secrets," but Blaine denies it. I'd like to see someone survive on just water for six weeks. I have a feeling that Blaine might pull out for "technical reasons"
	__________________ "The good thing about the Internet is that no matter how many repressed cretins with outmoded morals and religious fundamentalist idiots hate what you have to say, they cannot burn a website." -www.rinderpest.com

23rd August 2003, 06:07 PM	#3
reprise Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,859	Hmmmm. I wonder how amenable Blaine would be to letting skeptics monitor his "water" supply. Not very, I suspect. Quote: "I believe it is completely possible to exist peacefully with absolutely nothing, as it was in the beginning and as it will be in the end" cough Really David? Then how about you exist without the "water" during your stunt. Anyone want to place bets on how many Million Dollar Challenge applicants we're going to get wanted to be tested for this same "ability"?
reprise Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,859

30th August 2003, 06:53 AM	#4
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93	It's getting a bit boring (to me). He just keeps doing the same stunt over and over again. Paul.
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93

30th August 2003, 04:15 PM	#5
Dogwood (dogwood) Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 596	look at the bright side. At least no one has to worry about running into him on the street for 44 days.
Dogwood (dogwood) Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 596	__________________ I can't read this.

30th August 2003, 04:22 PM	#6
rustypouch Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary... Posts: 2,585	His stunts are all similar, and the have been done before, and better. Does the name Shipwreck Kelly ring any bells?

31st August 2003, 03:25 AM	#7
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93	Shipwreck Kelly? Nope.... Paul.
homunculus Scholar Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 93

2nd September 2003, 07:24 PM	#8
reprise Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,859	Quote: My next challenge, or performance piece, is based on confronting that fear directly. It's called Alone . It has to do with being solitary, completely isolated from everything, for a very extended period of time - 44 days and 44 nights, in isolation. With no food. Just liquid with vitamins in it. from Guardian UK interview.
reprise Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,859

9th September 2003, 08:17 PM	#9
Silicon Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,644	Disclaimer... I know nothing about David Blaine's techniques. But COME ON. This is DULLSVILLE. Gee, that sleeping bag can't possibly be filled with beef jerky. This guy isn't a magician. He's a stuntman who learned to palm a snickers bar. What's next, he volunteers to survive a week without air by ballooning out his cheeks and pursing his lips? HEY BLAINE! I CAUGHT YOU BREATHING THROUGH YOUR NOSE!
Silicon Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,644

9th September 2003, 08:22 PM	#10
Phil Master Satyr Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Society's underbelly Posts: 6,411	If his stunt is called Alone, why does he have to do it hanging over the Thames? Couldn't he lock himself in his back yard, or in his basement where he would actually be alone, and not an eye sore for everyone crossing the bridge. I don't think he's as sincere about testing his limits, as he is about perpetrating a spectacle. I think it's all a show. Possibly a dangerous show, but a show nonetheless.

12th September 2003, 07:28 AM	#11
tonygraham Thinker Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 225	And I wonder whether that water is really just water and vitamins, or maybe it has a little sugar or amino acids or or or or or ......... Anyway, I really can't see that it's such a great spectacle, sitting in a box. Mind you, as well as people firing eggs and golf balls, some girls have been showing him their breasts, so he probably doesn't feel that alone. I wouldn't.
tonygraham Thinker Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 225	__________________ How can you lie there and think of England, when you don't even know who's in the team? Billy Bragg Never criticise a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. That way, you'll be a mile away and you'll have his shoes.

20th September 2003, 08:01 PM	#12
Richard G Muse Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 940	Kind of like watching the grass grow. While the stunt has technical, and puclicity creating merits, I'd give it a "D minus" in the showmanship department.
Richard G Muse Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 940