There is a lot of discussion about how to explain what we do in mentalism, ranging from "psychology/affecting the spectators way of acting and choosing special things", to really "reading their minds". I would like to receive some opinions about the following aproach:

Instead of giving an explanation/presentation of how it is done when someone asks you, to just say something like: "I really never tell anything about how this works, it´s really the only secret I have in my life, and I think it´s nice to have something that´s only mine."

In other words, don´t give an explanation/presentation.

What´s good about this aproach?

What´s bad about this aproach?

There is one thing I do, where I use a technique that´s my own creation. If other magicians/mentalists ask me how I do it, that´s what I say. "It´s my only secret" (even secret to magicians).



Mikael

I prefer to give them a clever answer:
"Don't ask me, ask the spoon..."

"Even the spoon dosen't know..."

"I have no idea,i'm just the magician here."

Etc

I have alot more from where it came from.

Yaniv Deautsch

Main weakness:

You loose an opportunity to affect the impression you make(!)

By giving no explanation you leave it up to the spectators to do the interpretations. Of course they do interpretations anyhow, but with your answer you don't give them much direction at all. The little bit of direction you that you do give them with that particular answer is that there is a "working" to it, which IMHO implies a (man-made) method rather than an ability.

If I understand Cassidy right, he says pretty much "I don't know how it works, and I don't really care as long as it does work" (not an original quote). I would prefer this approach before the one suggested as it implies that there isn't a method to it. Of course, it also implies that it is supernatural.

But instead of "escaping" how about using a pseudo explanation. There is enough mumbo-jumbo in the world to pick from that would give you a credible "framework" - e.g. "body language", "NLP", "kabbalah", "spiritualism", "zen", "martial arts", etc etc.

A little warning - most of these would probably affect - if not what type of material you can do, at least the presentation of it. E.g PK could be tricky with a psychological approach if not thought through carefully. This is probably where the advantage of your suggested reply lies.


/Matias

I use the phrase "subliminal psychological manipulation". I have no idea what it means, but it seems to cover telekinesis (subliminal manipulation of perception.) Those to whom I offer this explanation, once they have worked out for themselves the opening psychological forces, are quite content to accept that it is a learned skill rather than a "power". It gets ME off the hook, anyway!

Maybe it's just me, but I still prefer the explanation of "I sold my soul to the devil."

Those in the know, know I'm kidding.
And those who don't, I couldn't care less...

(with apologies to Dunniger)

I sold my soul to Henry Winkler (on accident, he looked like the devil), and it's all been downhill ever since.

Sable

Hey, Henry Winkler produced MacGyver, for that alone he deserves anything he wants! Plus he's an alum of my college, so I gotta stand up for the guy. Now that Mephistopholes guy, he's a whole 'nother ballgame ;o)

[we now return you to your regularly scheduled topic]