What has magic done for the world?

[take the red pill]

I was thinking during a very boring history lesson that magic has done alot for the human civilisation. Magicians (or Shamans at the time) created hundreds of medicins, we busted religions, we started and stopped rebelions. I don't have that much of a knowledge of magical history so I thought I'd ask you experienced magicians what else we did.
_________________
I like to follow people round. Not in a weird way though - Ross Noble

[santiagosmagic]

I think that the best thing from the world of magic at this point is the work of James Randi and all his debunking efforts. Also, Penn&Tellers show Bullshit.

The use of magic to show the methods of charlatans who rip people off is one really big thing.

If you are interested, see if you can find the book "Behind the Crystal Ball." Lots of good historical information on magic and how it's impacted the world.
_________________
Tim "Santiago" Converse
Enter a World of Elegant Magic
Santiago's Magic
Professor Scratch's Flea Circus

[take the red pill]

Ooook a mod swore. I think we'll let you off seeing as its the name of the show .

I think i might get a copy of that book. Thanks
_________________
I like to follow people round. Not in a weird way though - Ross Noble

[dstar747]

I agree with santiagosmagic, but he allready knew that. It's not that a so called Skeptic is a sour puss that will halt any claim, but investigates what it is they are claiming to show anyone can reproduce them, usually better.

Someone that comes to my mind, whom I'm not at libery to say the name in public (let's just say you'll never find his works at Ellusionst) really did grasp making the impossible possible. Such as having a spectator shuffle a regular deck of cards, borrowed, and without looking the spectator would go through and flip any card they chose, while only mentally chanting it in thier head. Sure enough the card they thought of would be flipped while all the action was done with a spectator. Can you grasp that? Few have if any to the level he did. Where does that leave psychics and so called people with ESP that make random quesses and general predictions that would suit anyone that walks in.

Besides the obvious reasons of entertainment and wonder, it's shown that the ones with genious in the field using earthly methods, fry the ones that "beleive". I'm reminded of a magizine that dated from 88 to 91, with our bearded happy man, and gothic dark mentalist :~)
_________________
“Most people hate BAD card tricks!”
“Most people hate GOOD card tricks performed by a jerk or a hack!”
“Most people LOVE good card tricks performed by someone who cares about magic as
an art and his audience as people!”

[santiagosmagic]

While I'm thinking about it there is another extremely good book called "The Psychic Mafia" which is very worth while. It's an excellent behind the scenes look at the whole Camp Chesterfield Spiritualist scam.

Lots of truly amazing and bizarre stuff there.
_________________
Tim "Santiago" Converse
Enter a World of Elegant Magic
Santiago's Magic
Professor Scratch's Flea Circus

[dstar747]

A man that I found interesting, or jsut the polar opposite if you will is Sia Babba. I guess if your interested you can research him online. For lack of a better term "what a tool". On the other hand it shows how weak beleif is.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1086113722706529584&q=sai+baba

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4046338126668105559&q=sai+baba

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4183231644408716649&q=sai+baba

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2977140512984010665&q=sai+baba

The circled person above it Goldie Hawn

and my favorite

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5195342633988189049&q=sai+baba

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=287252096435657151&q=sai+baba
_________________
“Most people hate BAD card tricks!”
“Most people hate GOOD card tricks performed by a jerk or a hack!”
“Most people LOVE good card tricks performed by someone who cares about magic as
an art and his audience as people!”

[cwalker]

I commented on the mythological and shamanistic value of magic in taketheredpill's other post "What is Magic".

In response to the question "what has magic done for the world?" one thing that comes to mind is how it points out to us over and over how easily distractable we are.

C