Erik Blackwell displays a few of his magic abilities with a deck of cards.
Erik Blackwell
People all over the world are captivated by magic. The concept of magic and magicians spans regions, cultures, and generations because individuals love to be thrilled and surprised by things that– rationally speaking– appear difficult.
A lot of magic leverages an understanding of human psychology– some level of social engineering bordering on a con that sets off or allows the suspension of disbelief. Regardless, though, magic relies on the ability and often physical mastery of the magician too. Progressively, innovation also plays a role in performing some of the more outstanding techniques.
Erik Blackwell At the end of 2021, I composed a story about Season 2 of “The World According to Jeff Goldblum”on Disney +that focused particularly on the episode that checked out magic and the neuroscience that makes it all work. That episode likewise featured Erik Blackwell, a professional magician from Chicago, carrying out street magic.
Erik has been extremely hectic with popular appearances and visitor areas. Aside from his role in the episode of “The World According to Jeff Goldblum,” he has also been a visitor on national programs just recently, like Access Hollywood and Daytime Chicago.
Erik Blackwell recently appeared on Gain access to Hollywood to surprise the hosts and audience with his magic. … [+]
Erik Blackwell
I just recently had a chance to get in touch with Blackwell and dive even more into the world of magic and the cross-section with innovation.
Manipulating Reality Realistically, you know that the person in front of you did not just make a coin appear out of thin air. You know that it is not in fact possible that the $ 20 costs you actually watched him rip into 150 pieces is in some way undamaged and astonishingly in your back pocket. You understand these things– and yet you’re still surprised and amazed because the magician’s task is to manipulate your truth.
I’m dating myself, however I was seeing in 1983 when David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty vanish on live tv– and in front of a live audience present on-site in New york city to guarantee it wasn’t simply a video camera trick. The Statue of Liberty!
It’s an extreme example however making the Statue of Liberty disappear was more a function of technology and a task of engineering than it was a magic trick. I won’t ruin it for you, however there are YouTube videos that describe how the impression was pulled off.
Today, there is a growing range of devices and gadgets that magicians can make use of to boost or allow an impression. Once again, I do not want to spoil magic for you by describing how numerous impressions are carried out– but if it appears implausible and there is no imaginable way it can merely be a function of the magician’s dexterity, there is a sporting chance technology is involved.
Surprisingly, that doesn’t lessen how remarkable the trick is … at least for me. I am equally impressed with the capabilities of these devices, and our capability to pack features into smaller and smaller devices.
The Secret to Great Magic
When I remained in the United States Flying force, stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in England, I had a roommate for a while who was a pretty good magician. He showed me how some of the tricks work. There are typically props of some sort involved– which on some level seems like “unfaithful”– however props or no props, it takes practice and commitment to master the dexterity required.
Devices and sleight of hand aside, though, the magic is less remarkable– or simply doesn’t work– if the magician doesn’t provide it correctly. The banter that chooses the trick and the performance needed to engage the audience is at least as important as can physically executing the trick.
When it comes down to it, what really makes great magic work is the magician. With the help of innovation, magicians can forge ahead a bit and broaden their collection of techniques and illusions, however the fundamentals don’t really alter, and it eventually comes down to the magician’s ability to make you believe.