Today I came across a post in social media that was heavily criticizing Oz Pearlman. The author argued that he is no different from a fraud claiming to have actual psychic powers, specifically taking issue with how Oz tells participants that his effects are based on "psychological principles." The post also pointed out that we all know his roots with Penguin Magic in sleight of hand and later switching to mentalism (personally, I found that post on the side of a hater). The comments were all over the place.

This made me think about the age-old dilemma of our craft: the problem of claiming a "basis" for our effects that isn't entirely true. Where do we draw the line?

My personal stance is to aim for a middle ground—a "center" that leaves room for doubt. I don't think necessary to claim to be a "100% trickster" or a mere magician, but I also won't sell my skills as divine or supernatural gifts. I think a balanced approach works best, even though I fully understand the perspective of the "anti-psychic" camp.

However, when we study the greats like Kuda Bux, Kreskin, Derren Brown, Dunninger, etc, we see that they weren't always 100% honest with their audiences either (some of them at one point in their carreers). Should we demonize the masters we look up to because they blurred those lines? To be a respected mentalist in today's community, is it a requirement to constantly profess that "everything is just a trick"?

Gerry addresses this in a very interesting way in his Q&A lecture regarding disclaimers. It’s a topic that will likely remain controversial forever.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts:

Do you use disclaimers in your shows?
How do you present your "abilities" to the audience?
Where do you stand on the "psychological claims" vs. "honest trickster" spectrum?
Any thoughts on Oz and other mentalists (like Botia) inside this spectrum?

I want to revive this debate because we have new mainstream mentalists so I think is great to have this kind of discussions again

There's a big difference between "psychological principles" and flat out saying you have psychic powers. There are plenty of magic and mentalism effects that are in fact based on or make use of psychological principles, so I don't really see a big problem there. I don't bother too much with social media, it seems to bring out the worst in people no matter what the subject matter.

Herein lies a big part of the problem. What we are talking about and you are referring to is magician's mentalism or "mental magic." This is the commonly accepted (around here) magic community's definition of mentalism. They see it as part of magic or a type of magic. The mass-public does not.

This differs greatly form the mental arts definition of using real mental abilities, sans magic of any kind.

The problem is just what you said above... "My personal stance..." Here is where the problem begins. There is no real criteria or qualification to be a magic community's mentalist, so therefore everyone creates the stance and positioning of what THEY want, think or believe. This is the typical magician's "me-based" thinking and means of operation.

As long as it is this subjectable, there will be a disconnect with the masss-public. The are seeking something real or at least plausible.

Plus, the way the lay public sees and accepts "mentalism" is typically much different than the magician's me-based beliefs and perceptions.

Also, all of the name performers you referred to performed their (magician's) mentalism during a time which the country and culture was much more naive, vulnerable, and accepted what was presented. If it was on network TV or in Time or Newsweek magazines, it must be authentic. The times have changed. With the internet and social media, none of the names above would have had the same level of appeal and success they did during their times approaching it as they did.

Also, who are these new mainstream mentalists you are speaking of?

Barron Coleman had some interesting things to say about this!!!!

Mindpro's thoughts on this are mandatory reading. Amen.

Now, whether audiences want to be lied to is another discussion. Perhaps it's a good premise for a special performance.

I like to always start my performance with this simple statement.
"Ladies and gentlemen I am a mentalist. As a mentalist my job is NOT to read your minds. My job is to make you believe that I read your minds".
This has worked very well for me. I'm being very honest with everyone. And I might add even though I open my show with this.
I still have people come up to me and say that you cannot convince me that you did not read my mind! So people are going to believe whatever they believe for whatever reason they believe it. Lol

Good magic to all.,

Eric

I belive that there is a bubble that is Entertaiment. Inside that bubble you can claim whatever you like. Your disclaimer being that people know they are participateing in entertainment. As the Entertainer if you want to go full psychology psychic and stay in character 24/7 go nuts. The problem is Oz has been stepping outside that bubble. He did that Ted Talk claiming his psycholgical prowess is how he does these impossible feats. That Ted Talk moved him into an academic bubble, and there he is a liar and fraud. Or his self-help book. In it he says he "spent almost thirty years learning how to reverse engineer the human mind." and that mentalism is psychology. He is implying that he knows psychology as well as any therapist and he can use that to teach to use your mind better. That moves him from entertaint to medical and again make him a liar and fraud.

Yeah, it appears Oz is losing ground in this regard in the media and with followers. Too bad, he could have been a great voice for something better.

This is an old, old, topic in our field of presentation. Each of us has our way of presentation and giving our audiences information that lets them know they are about to be entertained. I think Dunninger, said it best many, many, years ago: “For those of you who believe…no explanation is necessary. For those of you who do not believe…no explanation will suffice.” Dunninger

May Your Magic Always Flourish,
Dr. Dan