What is that?

Often times, I see magicians on tv doing some grand illusions, or even smaller stage props, the likes I've never seen before.

"Here I have an ordinary pitcher full of milk". Wait...time out.

What makes it ordinary? Because you said so? Why would I think otherwise? But more importantly....

I don't see milk pitchers a lot of places any more. Some restaurants will provide a pitcher of water, and some places also serve beer in smaller pitchers, but I have never, EVER been to, let's say, a Denny's, ordered some milk, which was brought out in a pitcher. EVER! And if, in some weird world, my hypothetical milk was brought out in a pitcher, it sure would not strike me as ordinary.

Which brings me to my point. Magic, as an art is likened to jugglers (big movements, but run of the mill), or even worse, mimes. There is nothing wrong with either one of those, but they are far from culture, or high brow art.

I'll get into what I believe to be a few reasons magic isn't respected in the next few days, but magic done with weird objects (boxes with oriental symbols, large silver balls and scarves, etc) which are then put away is not very impressive.

While I believe magic should be done with common place objects, or at least a rational explanation of any given prop, too much is done with weird props no one has ever seen, and then put away. Ummm....wow?

Why was David Blaine successful? He did magic with everyday objects, and showed everyday people, in common, everyday environments. Vanishing quarter under your nose, goes a LOT further than a convoluted box that makes scarves appear.

Tomorrow, a look at suspension of disbelief, and really "selling it".

Lesson: Magicians showing 10 or more tricks with objects no one has seen outside of a magic shop is not impressing anyone except the self esteem of the magician.