Paul, it's not really lying per se ... it's suggestions remotely close to anything supernatural that bothers some.

When I use to post here regularly, I often was pushed into these discussions when accused of being a charlatan, fraud, and irresponsible for not using a disclaimer in my performances and for insulting my audience's intelligence by performing sometimes with a "supernatural" slant. On YouTube my life has been threatened twice even though I am clearly labeled as an entertainer.

I've concluded that it seems to be ok to lie about NLP, Psychology, non-verbal communication, hypnotism, even alien influence, it's okay to lead your audience to believe you really have these "powers", just don't go anywhere near anything having to do with the supernatural!

A,

For what it counts, I believe that part of arts mission is to bring ideas to the public which they may be uncomfortable with.

I wouldn't neccessarily say I have a supernatural slant, but probably a little more mystical than most.

Yes, I've seen it, too; apparently not all lies are equal.

V

"But there are some thorns to this rose: As a magician, do you want to deceive that person or simply entertain that person?" -Hansen

Personally speaking - I don't want to dwell on deception or entertainment.

I think about the END RESULT. I want to CONNECT WITH THEM. IMPACT THEM. Help them FEEL they EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SPECIAL that simply does not happen everyday for them.

It might give them JOY, HAPPINESS, or whatever. When the magician and the spectators BOTH FEEL that EXPERIENCE - THAT IS the POWER OF MAGIC.

Hey - we all only have so much time here - make it count.

Just my few cents worth.

--

JP,

Bravo!

V

Excellent posts Paul, members of the Café. Art is something personal and it attracts, inspires and entertains in a personal level. A single red dot in a huge painting can translate into different interpretations, magic does the same.