Does the traditional turban help the mentalist keep other people's thoughts out of his head? Or perhaps help keep his thoughts from disturbing the audience?

I'm asking about the metaphysics of mentalism. What are the ideas that make the field different from other forms of magic?

I don't know
But while performing in the twenties Alexander hid some special equipement in his, as far as I know.

Sven

I use aluminum foil...just teasing. I have heard of people wrapping their heads with foil to keep aliens from reading their thought though

John E.

This really does work, you know...

Best thoughts,
John Smetana

I know for a fact it works...at least for those who do it, they have never been thought read by aliens. Prior to the foil...now that's all heresay.


John

I don't know about a turban, but when small magnets are placed on people's heads, they lose their sense of direction!

Read about it here

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s148725.htm

And here I was thinking the magnets held the aluminum foil in place. That explains a lot!

How small could "special equipment" be in a turban from the 20's?

Need to replenish the alluminum foil, since getting Kuffs latest DVD its become harder to keep it in stock and those aliens have been reading my fantasies again!

Why a turban?

My guess is:

Ultimate Magic=Indian Rope Trick=Indian Swami=Turban.

But maybe I'm taking your question too literally?

Jack Shalom

The turban was to evoke in people's minds the mysterious things people believed happened in places where turbans are worn. The mental associations with turbans seem to have changed drammatically between now and then.

In your mind,
Jordan

Charles Carter (Carter the Great) wore a turban because he was a lot more plain-looking than other magicians before him. Herrmann had done the devil's goatee and had a peculiar face, Houdini had those intense eyes, so why not be the "white mahatma."

These days, I wouldn't do it except for comedy. I think Johnny Carson killed it for the next 20 years. Current events haven't helped much either.

Yours,

Paul