Does a mentalist have a different aim to that of a magician?

It depends on the mentalist.

Brian Flora once said, "A lot of guys do it because they want to entertain people. I think that's great. A lot of people get into it because they want to manipulate and control people. I think that bites."

Magicians by their very nature have steadier hands,

Mentalists though have headier plans.

@Mind Guerilla:

Hilariously enough, I did the opposite; got into it for entertainment, but now like using it to manipulate and control people. Go figure.

I think mentalist want to entertain but they want you to believe as well.

To distract us from the reality of ever-present death, looming at any second...

To answer the question I'd say some. Just as some magicians want their spectators to believe/at least question and others want them to understand it's merely entertainment, the same goes with mentalists, just with more mentalists leaning towards the belief/possibly real side with more magicians leaning to the entertainment side. I say this after reading Hiding the Elephant; a good many of those magicians wanted their spectators to think they were doing the real thing, or at least question the limits of reality.

I try to entertain and mystify my audience, whether magic, mentalism or mental magic. I am all about creating a sense of awe and wonder no matter what subset of the magical arts I am performing.

Bobby

Paying the bills.


I actually love the feeling of being entertained myself seeing the audience being entertained and amazed watching me perform.

You ever get that?

Dr Spektor, quite a Western perspective my friend. The Yellow King has told me that life is just in between stage, I will send you the parchment soon that will explain to you the reflection of the "in between of life and death" and the liberation from.

-W

One who would use the craft for the manipulation of others is comparable to Jim Jones who indeed used psychic surgery to convince his followers that he was God. Something to think about when reading posts.

Bobby I've never seen your act but I'm sure I would enjoy it. You just have that Bill Malone quality to you. I just can't help bu like the guy.

isidOre, If they have endowed you with wisdom of that which is but isn't and lives but dies, please share to with me, that I may wake from the sleep that is my ignorance.

Peace.