Illusion and disillusion (science)

[Willamena]

A scenario: Let's say I was a magician, and you were the audience. And I showed you a marvelous, seemingly magical illusion, such as performed in the movie 'The Illusionist' where Edgar caused a tree to spring forth from seed to fruit in the span of a minute.

Then, let's say I came down off the stage, sat beside you in the chairs, and showed you exactly how it was done.

Now, I go back onstage and perform the feat again. Would it seem to you any less magical? Would it be less real? Knowing how the trick is done, would you be able to enjoy the illusion?

Now I do the illusion a third time, and this time I let you see that nothing I showed you about how the illusion is done is true. Where would that leave you? Could you still enjoy the magic, or would you walk out?

[mball1297]

I would not think it magical if you could tell me exactly how it's done without any kind of "magic". I would enjoy the illusion once I knew how it was done only in that I'd feel special knowing how you were doing it.

I would not walk out after the third time. I would be even more intrigued. I might feel a little lied to, but I'd wonder how it worked again.

[Kungfuzed]

Originally Posted by Willamena

A scenario: Let's say I was a magician, and you were the audience. And I showed you a marvelous, seemingly magical illusion, such as performed in the movie 'The Illusionist' where Edgar caused a tree to spring forth from seed to fruit in the span of a minute.

Then, let's say I came down off the stage, sat beside you in the chairs, and showed you exactly how it was done.

Now, I go back onstage and perform the feat again. Would it seem to you any less magical? Would it be less real? Knowing how the trick is done, would you be able to enjoy the illusion?

I'd admire the skill it took to come up with such an elaborate trick.

Originally Posted by Willamena

Now I do the illusion a third time, and this time I let you see that nothing I showed you about how the illusion is done is true. Where would that leave you? Could you still enjoy the magic, or would you walk out?

That would be even more impressive. I would assume you had found different ways to do the same trick and were doing it differently each time.

[whereismynotecard]

I'd be kind of aggrivated, and I'd make you tell me how you really did it.

[stephenw]

Originally Posted by Willamena

A scenario: Let's say I was a magician, and you were the audience. And I showed you a marvelous, seemingly magical illusion, such as performed in the movie 'The Illusionist' where Edgar caused a tree to spring forth from seed to fruit in the span of a minute.

Then, let's say I came down off the stage, sat beside you in the chairs, and showed you exactly how it was done.

Now, I go back onstage and perform the feat again. Would it seem to you any less magical? Would it be less real? Knowing how the trick is done, would you be able to enjoy the illusion?

Now I do the illusion a third time, and this time I let you see that nothing I showed you about how the illusion is done is true. Where would that leave you? Could you still enjoy the magic, or would you walk out?

Sounds like science to me.
I'd continue to enjoy it. It's the journey that's fun.

[Alex_G]

Originally Posted by Willamena

A scenario: Let's say I was a magician, and you were the audience. And I showed you a marvelous, seemingly magical illusion, such as performed in the movie 'The Illusionist' where Edgar caused a tree to spring forth from seed to fruit in the span of a minute.

Then, let's say I came down off the stage, sat beside you in the chairs, and showed you exactly how it was done.

Now, I go back onstage and perform the feat again. Would it seem to you any less magical? Would it be less real? Knowing how the trick is done, would you be able to enjoy the illusion?

Now I do the illusion a third time, and this time I let you see that nothing I showed you about how the illusion is done is true. Where would that leave you? Could you still enjoy the magic, or would you walk out?

The aim of a magic show is to trick your senses, and leave you with a sense of awe. If the method is revealed afterwards, it wont have changed how you reacted to its initial demonstration, but you would loose the awe when performed a second time, as you will be aware of the method(still fun possibly trying to spot it).

If he revieled that his explanation was a lie, then thats tricked you again, making it more 'magical' once again

[meee223]

I've always been intrigued by magic and illusions but I absolutely hate being stumped and not knowing how a trick is done. Some people can leave a magic show and wonder for awhile, then go on with their lives. But it's never been that way for me. I think about what I've seen for what seems forever. In fact, I still occasionally think about one trick I saw decades ago. So watching magic isn't fun for me anymore. If I can't find out how it's done, I don't want to see it. I've searched and found out how many illusions are performed and now I can honestly say that I enjoy it way more than before I knew the secrets. I can actually enjoy watching a show and marvel at the skill of the magician. Of course, there are still many illusions that stymie me and I haven't found out yet how they are done, but I'm still searching for the answers.