Magicians; Our Friends

It is hard to look back in the history of modernity without finding that the numerous sources of entertainment were likewise a source of inspiration and motivation. We have films to give us a different perspective, music to allow us to feel through another's creativity, and so many others. For my part, magicians have always been  a role model of sorts.

Harry Houdini, The Amazing James Randi, Penn and Teller, Derren Brown.... All men who dedicated themselves to dispelling illusions and enlightening the public through showing us how easily our minds can be tricked.

When Houdini met with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who fell into mystical beliefs later in life, the magician had some wonderful advice for him:

Sir Arthur, I have devoted a lot of time and thought to this illusion ... I won’t tell you how it was done, but I can assure you it was pure trickery. I did it by perfectly normal means. I devised it to show you what can be done along these lines. Now, I beg of you, Sir Arthur, do not jump to the conclusion that certain things you see are necessarily “supernatural,” or the work of “spirits,” just because you cannot explain them....

The Amazing James Randi has made a reputation of himself as not only a brilliant illusionist, but bent on a crusade against tricksters, con-artists, frauds, and all others who attempt to take advantage of others' ignorance. A brief YouTube search for this man will uncover a career of taking down the biggest frauds in the business, from spiritual mediums, to those claiming psychic ability, to evangelical preachers taking millions for faith healing. Every person who he has called out and has risen to the test and fallen. Needless to say, most do not stand to be tested.

The James Randi Education Foundation is one I often quote due to their famous $1 million challenge, an offer of a cool mil if any can demonstrate "under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event."

Equally needless to mention is the fact that it has gone unclaimed until this day. I still ask those who make claims of ghosts or the supernatural if they understand that the JREF's $1 million, and the Nobel prize would be minuscule next to the recognition and fame they would obtain if they could demonstrate such a thing.

Penn & Teller have always been a part of educational videos, offering a bit of variety to the outdated school sponsored videos we got to see in class. As an adult, I can appreciate them ever more, since the obvious vulgarity tends to come out more hilariously now. Their projects, such as the Showtime mega-hit series BullShit! was one of the very few shows that actively encouraged skepticism and critical thinking, while analyzing many of the less trafficked topics in society. It still remains on a very short list of shows I have enjoyed watching. Although very opinion based, and I certainly do not agree with much of what was said, it encouraged discourse in a way which was highly accessible.

Derren Brown... in the humblest of opinions, the man deserves a post entirely of his own...stay tuned....

So you see the primary difference between magicians and the charlatans masquerading as religious authorities is when you go to see a magic show, you are paying to be fooled, paying to understand the limits of your perception and to enliven your curiosity.

When you see a religious or spiritual leader, you are willingly sacrificing the one thing that identifies us from other life forms, leaving your critical thinking skills at the door and willingly being deceived.