Okay, fellow Magic Café members: So why do you love magic?

Dai Bato

Why not?

I always try and figure out the answer to this question. I haven't the slightest idea. I guess it's just fun.

James

Why do I love magic?

• It makes kids laugh, and expands thier imagination and dreams.
  
• It resolves the high need for attention.
  
• It's a way of being an actor, or celebrity with a pay check.
  
• It is a way to have fun and make money too!
  
• It can help others make money (Fundraisers)
  
• It makes others happy, especially very sick children.
  
• It has been known to change a frown into a smile.
  
• It's mysterious as well as amazing.
  
• It satifieds that need for socialization within one's personality
  
• It beats the crap out of drinking, smoking, and gambling!
  
• It's an art form, like no other, with the largest number of published books than any other feild.
  
• In an age where morality is declining, low self-esteem is on the up-rise, Magic is still clean, wholesome and entertaining.
  
• It is a teaching tool for religion, people needing dexterity physical training to damaged hands and muscles.
  
• It keeps me young and alive, as well active in the community
  

Just a few quick thoughts.
Dennis

Magic allows me to live my childhood dream of becoming a benevolent super hero through the eyes of a child. Instead of flying, I teach small silver spheres...or the children themselves...to float. In place of super strength, my hands transform one thing into another...or nothing at all. Super vision becomes my ability to read minds and divine results. And I have the unique power of transforming a sullen moment into a laughter-rich memory. By day, I'm meek and mild Clark Citizen, going about my day as any other. But when the call is heard, I don't need a phone booth to become a modest hero and wonder in the eyes of a child...or willing adult. As a magician, I am more powerful than a speeding imagination. I can leap tall impossibilities with a single wave. I'm faster than the fleetest eye. When I perform... two dreams come true. The child's and mine. What's not to love?

For me, it's a great way to fool people and then yell, "Ha! Take THAT! SUCKER!!!"

And then I poke them with a stick.

Man... I love magic!

I never grew up...It fits in perfectly... ...

In my case, I have to confess, it has much to do with curiosity to know "how it works"...once I know ( whether I discover myself the methods or - more often ! - have to read or see explanations ), it's a challenge to me to do it myself.
Of course, I am happy when people enjoy my modest 'performances'.

I don't know DaiBato, at times, it seems to love me more than I love it. Experts agree it is not a terminal condition but there is NO cure. A very few of the symptoms include ceaseless practice, brainstorming, consultation with those who've been afflicted for years, and this, posting at The Café.

There will be no peace nor relief. There is only practice, practice, practice....

I don't know if you're joking, Reis, but if not, this is a problem we magicians have with the public: they're afraid of us embarrassing them on stage and/or being condescending to those not 'in the know'.

I hope you're kidding.

Dai Bato

Oh good grief.

All right, I apologize. I need to lighten up.

Dai is my birth name, so there was no choice on that one.

Dai Bato

The main reason I enjoy magic is that I am fascinated by how the brain - as far as we know, the most powerful physical supercomputer in the universe - can misinterpret reality.

We tend to fully trust our perceptions when what we see in front of us seems clear and unambiguous. When we realise that we are mistaken, the resulting emotional reaction of surprise and wonder (whether pleasurable or disturbing) provides a memorable experience with a unique charm.

This same experience is provided whenever the mind is truely tricked by the senses (e.g. by paper-based optical illusions, desert mirages etc). I think there is a distinction between this and the kind of "deception" which occurs due to a conscious suspension of disbelief (e.g. roller-coaster simulators, theatrical plays, role-playing games etc).

The very concept of "fully-convincing illusion" - of something appearing (without doubt) to be other than what it actually is - is at the heart of why magic is appealing to me.

As magicians, we deliberately rely on people making assumptions about things for which they have no hard evidence, and mis-represnting to themselves what they think they see. This is part of what makes it fun to perform (and experience) magic. However, in everyday life, certain people have a tendancy to jump quickly to conclusions on weightier matters, before carefully collecting and analysing the available information (which is a trait I happen to dislike intensely). In the former case, we have entertainment. In the latter, we typically end up with personal failure.

I love magic because of all of the female groupies that wanna go back to my hotel with me after the show.

Seriously - I love magic because of the joy it brings to me and my audiences.

I love the groupies, too! I have hundreds! It just sucks that they're all under 6.

I love magic because of the reactions people have after a trick. Kids' reactions: their eyes light up and they just love it. Adult's reactions: they have that puzzled look, and if not, they freak out (depending on the trick). I also love magic because of all the other reasons Dennis Michael gave us a few posts back.

Chrix