Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Discuss the views of your favorite Genii columnists.
User avatar
Michael Kamen
Posts: 338
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Michael Kamen » February 3rd, 2013, 12:29 pm

Tom Stone wrote:
mrgoat wrote:Magic: When you make someone feel, even for a split second, like a 6 year old on Christmas Eve.

Depressed?


LOL :-)
Michael Kamen

User avatar
Michael Kamen
Posts: 338
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Michael Kamen » February 3rd, 2013, 12:43 pm

Max Maven wrote:
Pete McCabe wrote:I think we might need the word illusion in there, or something to the effect of "presenting something seemingly impossible."


I do not agree. There can be magic without illusion, and even without impossibility.

If I put a playing card on the table, you name a card, then turn over the tabled card and it is the one you named, that will be experienced as magic. But, it's not necessarily an illusion. And, it is not at all impossible -- just improbable.


If that happens once, as described and without any claim as to means, it is taken as an improbable but possible and occasionally likely coincidence. If it happens repeatedly, or is accompanied by a claim of certainty of outcome, I think it is squarely in the realm of the impossible. This cannot, of course, occur without some illusion -- either an illusion of free choice or an illusion that the card turned over is same as the card put on the table. I think Pete is right on this point.
Michael Kamen

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27047
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 3rd, 2013, 12:47 pm

You cannot argue with Max when he gives a concrete example that is simple enough to defy argument.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
Michael Kamen
Posts: 338
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Michael Kamen » February 3rd, 2013, 12:49 pm

No argument there Richard.
Michael Kamen

Edward Pungot
Posts: 922
Joined: May 18th, 2011, 1:55 am

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Edward Pungot » February 3rd, 2013, 1:33 pm

Max Maven wrote:Over the years, the best definition of magic that I have managed to build is:

The aesthetic exploration of mystery.


.___.
{O,o}
/)__)
-"-"-

Tom Stone wrote:An interesting experiment would be to take something that *isn't* magic, and then modify it iota by iota until it becomes magic, just to find out where the boundaries are.


"The aesthetic exploration of [the known]."

"The...exploration of [the known]."

"The...exploration of mystery."

"The...exploration of [the unknown]."

"The aesthetic exploration of [the unknown]."

Jonathan Townsend
Posts: 8704
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Westchester, NY
Contact:

Re: Tom Stone's Definition of Magic

Postby Jonathan Townsend » February 3rd, 2013, 1:49 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:... a concrete example that is simple enough to defy argument.


IMHO it's about their story.

If their story says "magic" rather than "bluff" or "he did something" - the case is made.


Return to “Columns”