Skeptical Inquirer Presents -- David Copperfield

[Gord_in_Toronto]

David Copperfield Brings the Magic to Skeptical Inquirer Presents, Nov. 11

https://centerforinquiry.org/news/d...-magic-to-skeptical-inquirer-presents-nov-11/

In his new book, David Copperfield’s History of Magic, Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world’s most groundbreaking magicians; from the sixteenth-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth.

Join Copperfield, fellow magician and skeptic Richard Wiseman, and host Leighann Lord for this live online event taking us on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history.

Will he reveal all?

 

[alfaniner]

They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well.

Thanks. I'll check that out. I've always thought Copperfield was a bit coy about what he was doing.

 

[arthwollipot]

Will he reveal all?

No, he won't.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

No, he won't.

I was just applying Betteridge's Law.

 

[arthwollipot]

I was just applying Betteridge's Law.

Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book.

 

[Darat]

Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book.

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

As someone who follows magic in a semi-interested way, it appears that there are still some few tricks that do not have explanations for us lay people. (And, if you are going to asks for examples, I'm not allowed to tell you.)

As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak), "Just when you think we have expanded it to you, take a look at this."

 

[arthwollipot]

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong.

 

[arthwollipot]

As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak)...

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

 

[theprestige]

Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong.

Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless?

 

[theprestige]

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

He does speak in character. I've seen and heard him speak to audience members during a live show, as part of the act. Couldn't tell you what he said, though, since it was pitched directly to that member of the audience, and was unintelligible more than a few seats away.

 

[arthwollipot]

Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless?

Probably, but I have no reason not to believe him. They are scrupulously honest. There were apparently four times during their show that they outright lied to the audience, and they felt really bad about it and were working on removing them from the routines. I believe that one of those times was where they said that their nailgun trick was a memory routine, but of course I have no confirmation of that.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

Oh come on. I know that. I've spoken to him (and he has replied).

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

No, he won't.

I watched the event live and you were right.

Nothing was revealed. It was otherwise an amusing hour with him, Richard Wiseman and the very good host who was really human and kept things flowing. I did stagger off and buy his new book while they were talking. It will be a good Christmas gift for someone in my family who likes magic almost as much as I do. After I have read it, of course.

It's supposed to show up on the CFI website shortly.

 

[dudalb]

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

At times you don't seem to get the idea that part of the fun of watching magic is being fooled, and wondering how you were fooled.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum.

 

[arthwollipot]

Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum.

I've got a copy of James Randi's The Conjurers signed by him because I once referred someone to this forum using the link on the User CP. It's another nice coffee-table history of magic.