jkeyes1000 wrote:. Recant what? The context of my remark indicated quite clearly that I was referring to his assiduous avoidance of lies in the lecture. I am weIl aware of his stage career and the traditional kinds of routines he performed.
really?
jkeyes1000 wrote:.
Last night, I was reminded of James Randi, and his "Chasing The Chimera" lectures. Although he is iconically known as an "honest liar", he never verbally lied to his audience. That would have been unfair. He would start off by saying "This is sort of a challenge..." and dare a bunch of academics to guess how they were being deceived.
never lied to his audience is different from 'never lied to an audience in a lecture setting.
jkeyes1000 wrote:.
The point is that, regardless of how "weasely" one's speech may be, outright lies are more likely to get you tarred and featheted. Why rusk it?
and isn't it odd that if you are indeed aware of his lies in performance that you would hold him up as an example of, well, anything.
because you are in a catch 22. see, the world still knows the name of geller - the "liar" - yet randi is known by whom? some rabid anti psychic zealots and magicians?
but even if you want to make the case that randi is still successful or relevant, the presence of lies you claim of which to be aware belies the assertion that they do harm.
so once again you claim is proven wrong by observation of reality
apparently greater fame and longevity come to those willing to take that risk.
jkeyes1000 wrote:.
And whether or not YOU get caught, someone else is bound to. Is it not better to distinguish yourself from those "incompetents" by assuring the crowd that, though you may use deceptions, you do not make false statements?
why does someone else getting caught effect me?
and when they get caught are they caught in verbal lies or by glimpses of palmed cards
your entire position assumes magicians know what magicians do, and think the way magicians think.
they don't.
but again, how do you assure them you aren't engaging in verbal deception. by telling them?
because we all know a liar wouldn't lie about lying
and what does this pretended confession serve - only to point them to think about methods in the first place.
why do that?
we want them to NOT think about methods.
saying 'i don't lie' is a bit like saying 'this is an ordinary deck'
you are not allaying suspicion, you are creating it
you aren't a magician, keyes. you are a puzzler. at least anyone who takes this tact is.