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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
Almost everyone knows when watching a magic show that the performer isn't doing anything supernatural - it's just tricks.
But this doesn't seem to be the case with mentalism. Lots of people believe in psychic powers, educated people included. Do mentalists usually tell the audience that they are not for real? Or do they usually not say anything and let the audience draw their own conclusions? I ask this question because I've only seen one live mentalism show and this was at a magic shop, in which no announcement as to whether it was real or not was necessary. |
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THB Regular user Brussels 177 Posts |
And let all hell go loose....
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Mike Ince Inner circle 2041 Posts |
There is no "usually". Do what you want if you're a performer.
The secret of deception is in making the truth seem ridiculous.
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quicknotist Special user 888 Posts |
All of the above.
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Garrette Special user 926 Posts |
I'll jump in a bit because the OP is a bit different than similar threads in the past, i.e., you are asking if mentalists DO provide disclaimers. You are not asking if mentalists SHOULD provide disclaimers, right? The thread of "Should" will likely devolve very quickly, but the thread of "Do" can be cleaner than that.
In my observation, most mentalists do provide a disclaimer, but they differ widely in their directness and obviousness. For instance, the mentalism performance you saw in the magic shop was possibly not accompanied by a verbal disclaimer because the environment itself was seen as the disclaimer (I could be completely wrong, but it's possible). Some perfomers, like Banachek, provide an obvious and direct disclaimer to start with. Others provide less obvious disclaimers built into the wordings of their introductions. Some don't worry about it at all. But as has been said, there really isn't a "usual" or "normal," at least not one that I know of. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Mentalism seen in a magic shop is typically seen also as magic. Some mentalists do everything possible to distance themselves from magic for the exact reason originally mentioned. What's funny is often those that use a disclaimer stating they are not psychic or possess any special abilities, are often still seen and perceived as having the exact abilities by the audience that you clearly are trying to dismiss.
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George Hunter Inner circle 2013 Posts |
If you claim extraordinary powers, some spectators will not believe you, and others will have doubts. If you disclaim any extraordinary powers, some will not believe you, and others will have doubts. So, why claim or disclaim anything? Most people, in any case, will make up their own minds.
Okay, okay: integrity may require a brief cogent disclaimer. After that, just leave it up to them! One alternative, of course, is to suggest that WE have powers that we do not usually experience; then some of the effects help them experience what that might be like. George |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
I agree with the Mike. "'There is no "usually."' Every performer has to make that decision him/herself. I don't offer a disclaimer. If someone outright asks me if what I'm doing is real, or if what I'm doing is a trick, my response is the same: "I'm an entertainer. Does it entertain you more to believe it's real or does it entertain you more to believe that it's not?"
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Personally, I don't bother with disclaimers, although when I performed in New York at Monday Night Magic a couple of years ago, producer and good friend Jamy Ian Swiss (we disagree about a lot of things, but enjoy arguing with each other) told me that all mentalists were required to give disclaimers before performing there. I asked him what he meant by a disclaimer and he answered that I had to make it clear that what I was doing wasn't real.
Here's the disclaimer I delivered - "Before I begin, the management has requested that I warn you all that what you are about to see is unreal. Or something like that." Bob |
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
Garrette,
I was only asking about what the current practice of mentalists is. I wasn't asking what mentalists should do. That's a moral/ethical question. Mentalists are in general not experts in morality and ethics, so there is no point to asking them these types of questions. |
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Dave Nic Loyal user Australia 242 Posts |
Haha Bob!
What a great disclaimer! You followed the instructions of management to the T! |
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Garrette Special user 926 Posts |
Quote: I know. That's why I phrased it as I did. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
On 2013-06-02 21:12, Caféinst wrote: |
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Amirá Inner circle MentalismCenter.com 5131 Posts |
One of the greatest , David Hoy said as "disclaimer":
"I am a fake" After that he did the stuff that made him a psychic star. Sure, there is a lot of performers who are just embellish illusions with a mental flavor. Others are doing more than that, that's the mentalism in which I am interested. A few performers disclaim powers that nobody believes (i had seen painful ones). Surely the real worker performer understand the real value of letting the audience believe via his actions, not his words. The real psychics and the not-so-real ones. If you don't believe in more that the visible , if your belief, but I am sure than a few performers are the real deal. Personally , I don't do "just tricks". Best
Pablo
Performer and Author Mentalism Center: The best online space to get quality Mentalism www.mentalismcenter.com Arkanosophy: The Boutique for Mystery Performers www.arkanosophy.com |
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Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Nothing to disclaim with me.
I call it the power of the mind, which is what it is. I call myself a Mind Magician, which is what I am. And I debunk stuff like psychic surgery, blood in egg etc. So, I feel I need not disclaim anything. When I start saying what I do is supernaturally aided, then I need to disclaim. Which I can't see myself doing, ever. So, no. I don't use a disclaimer.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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parmenion Inner circle Switzerland/Zürich 3988 Posts |
Yesterday, I watched Forrest Gump, it's a very good film.
“I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.”
<BR>Oscar Wilde experimentaliste <br> <BR>Artist pickpocket Professional <BR> <BR>Looking for the best book test in French? send me a PM! |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Lol
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cafeinst Elite user 489 Posts |
You just watched Forrest Gump? Me too! There must be a connection between us. I'm feeling this strongly.
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
I use a CLAIMER ... Everything I do, I do with the Power Of My Mind. This untapped resource is available to most but harnessed by very few.
And I never do tricks....... no one should.
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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parmenion Inner circle Switzerland/Zürich 3988 Posts |
No one does except Caféinst!
“I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.”
<BR>Oscar Wilde experimentaliste <br> <BR>Artist pickpocket Professional <BR> <BR>Looking for the best book test in French? send me a PM! |
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Garrette Special user 926 Posts |
Quote: This is, in my opinion, probably the best post of yours I have read. Thumbs up.
On 2013-06-02 23:32, Slim King wrote: |
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