Skeptical Inquirer Presents -- David Copperfield

Gord_in_Toronto · 2nd November 2021, 01:54 PM

David Copperfield Brings the Magic to Skeptical Inquirer Presents, Nov. 11

https://centerforinquiry.org/news/da...esents-nov-11/

Quote:

In his new book, David Copperfield’s History of Magic, Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world’s most groundbreaking magicians; from the sixteenth-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth.

Join Copperfield, fellow magician and skeptic Richard Wiseman, and host Leighann Lord for this live online event taking us on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history.

Will he reveal all?

alfaniner · 2nd November 2021, 03:05 PM

They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well.

Gord_in_Toronto · 2nd November 2021, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by alfaniner

They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well.

Thanks. I'll check that out. I've always thought Copperfield was a bit coy about what he was doing.

arthwollipot · 3rd November 2021, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto

Will he reveal all?

No, he won't.

Gord_in_Toronto · 3rd November 2021, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

No, he won't.

I was just applying Betteridge's Law.

arthwollipot · 3rd November 2021, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto

I was just applying Betteridge's Law.

Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book.

Darat · 4th November 2021, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book.

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

Gord_in_Toronto · 4th November 2021, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Darat

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

As someone who follows magic in a semi-interested way, it appears that there are still some few tricks that do not have explanations for us lay people. (And, if you are going to asks for examples, I'm not allowed to tell you.)

As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak), "Just when you think we have expanded it to you, take a look at this."

arthwollipot · 4th November 2021, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong.

arthwollipot · 4th November 2021, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto

As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak)...

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

theprestige · 4th November 2021, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong.

Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless?

theprestige · 4th November 2021, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

He does speak in character. I've seen and heard him speak to audience members during a live show, as part of the act. Couldn't tell you what he said, though, since it was pitched directly to that member of the audience, and was unintelligible more than a few seats away.

arthwollipot · 4th November 2021, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless?

Probably, but I have no reason not to believe him. They are scrupulously honest. There were apparently four times during their show that they outright lied to the audience, and they felt really bad about it and were working on removing them from the routines. I believe that one of those times was where they said that their nailgun trick was a memory routine, but of course I have no confirmation of that.

Gord_in_Toronto · 4th November 2021, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.

Oh come on. I know that. I've spoken to him (and he has replied).

Gord_in_Toronto · 11th November 2021, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

No, he won't.

I watched the event live and you were right.

Nothing was revealed. It was otherwise an amusing hour with him, Richard Wiseman and the very good host who was really human and kept things flowing. I did stagger off and buy his new book while they were talking. It will be a good Christmas gift for someone in my family who likes magic almost as much as I do. After I have read it, of course.

It's supposed to show up on the CFI website shortly.

dudalb · 17th May 2022, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google".

The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.

At times you don't seem to get the idea that part of the fun of watching magic is being fooled, and wondering how you were fooled.

Gord_in_Toronto · 17th May 2022, 03:52 PM

Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum.

arthwollipot · 17th May 2022, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto

Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum.

I've got a copy of James Randi's The Conjurers signed by him because I once referred someone to this forum using the link on the User CP. It's another nice coffee-table history of magic.

2nd November 2021, 01:54 PM	#1
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Skeptical Inquirer Presents -- David Copperfield David Copperfield Brings the Magic to Skeptical Inquirer Presents, Nov. 11 https://centerforinquiry.org/news/da...esents-nov-11/ Quote: In his new book, David Copperfield’s History of Magic, Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world’s most groundbreaking magicians; from the sixteenth-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth. Join Copperfield, fellow magician and skeptic Richard Wiseman, and host Leighann Lord for this live online event taking us on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history. Will he reveal all?
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

2nd November 2021, 03:05 PM	#2
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sorth Dakonsin Posts: 27,864	They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well.
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

2nd November 2021, 04:22 PM	#3
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Originally Posted by alfaniner They had a great interview on a recent Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast as well. Thanks. I'll check that out. I've always thought Copperfield was a bit coy about what he was doing.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

3rd November 2021, 12:29 AM	#4
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto Will he reveal all? No, he won't.
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3rd November 2021, 08:27 AM	#5
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Originally Posted by arthwollipot No, he won't. I was just applying Betteridge's Law.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

3rd November 2021, 07:34 PM	#6
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto I was just applying Betteridge's Law. Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book.
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4th November 2021, 07:32 AM	#7
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 109,474	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Ah gotcha. I said that he wouldn't because he said that he wouldn't in the SGU interview. In fact, skirting the border of what can and can't be told was one of the key challenges of the book. I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google". The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now.
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

4th November 2021, 08:10 AM	#8
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Originally Posted by Darat I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google". The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now. As someone who follows magic in a semi-interested way, it appears that there are still some few tricks that do not have explanations for us lay people. (And, if you are going to asks for examples, I'm not allowed to tell you.) As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak), "Just when you think we have expanded it to you, take a look at this."
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

4th November 2021, 06:19 PM	#9
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by Darat I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google". The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now. Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong.
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4th November 2021, 06:21 PM	#10
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto As Penn says (and to which Teller would agree if he could speak)... Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character.
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4th November 2021, 06:21 PM	#11
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Antimemetics Division Posts: 64,236	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Another thing that Penn said when I saw them at TAM is that they have seen a dozen different explanations on the internet of how they do the bullet catch, and they were all wrong. Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless?
	__________________ There is no Antimemetics Division.

4th November 2021, 06:24 PM	#12
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Antimemetics Division Posts: 64,236	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character. He does speak in character. I've seen and heard him speak to audience members during a live show, as part of the act. Couldn't tell you what he said, though, since it was pitched directly to that member of the audience, and was unintelligible more than a few seats away.
	__________________ There is no Antimemetics Division.

4th November 2021, 06:29 PM	#13
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by theprestige Wouldn't it be in his best interest to say that regardless? Probably, but I have no reason not to believe him. They are scrupulously honest. There were apparently four times during their show that they outright lied to the audience, and they felt really bad about it and were working on removing them from the routines. I believe that one of those times was where they said that their nailgun trick was a memory routine, but of course I have no confirmation of that.
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4th November 2021, 07:41 PM	#14
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Teller speaks. Just not when he's in character. Oh come on. I know that. I've spoken to him (and he has replied).
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick Last edited by Gord_in_Toronto; 4th November 2021 at 07:43 PM. Reason: added that he spoke back to me :)

11th November 2021, 07:56 PM	#15
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Originally Posted by arthwollipot No, he won't. I watched the event live and you were right. Nothing was revealed. It was otherwise an amusing hour with him, Richard Wiseman and the very good host who was really human and kept things flowing. I did stagger off and buy his new book while they were talking. It will be a good Christmas gift for someone in my family who likes magic almost as much as I do. After I have read it, of course. It's supposed to show up on the CFI website shortly.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

17th May 2022, 03:40 PM	#16
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 58,545	Originally Posted by Darat I do wonder if someone should inform magicians about something called "the internet" and "Google". The idea that they have to keep "secrets" was part of the mystique but that's been over for a good 25 years now. At times you don't seem to get the idea that part of the fun of watching magic is being fooled, and wondering how you were fooled.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

17th May 2022, 03:52 PM	#17
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23,680	Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

17th May 2022, 08:03 PM	#18
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ngunnawal Country Posts: 81,922	Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto Since this thread has been revived, I can report that I did buy David Copperfield's History of Magic. It's a nice "coffee table" book and otherwise a quick read about magician from history that Copperfield thinks were inventive; illustrated with lots of pictures from his museum. I've got a copy of James Randi's The Conjurers signed by him because I once referred someone to this forum using the link on the User CP. It's another nice coffee-table history of magic.
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