The First "Magician"

[Sundae]

I like Derren Brown because he obsfuscates.
He's pretty much convinced everyone that he uses psychology, NLP, face reading etc, when the vast majority of his tricks are standard magician fare. But that's cool, because you don't have to believe in magic when you watch him, you just assume it's the work of a master in another field.

He admits before his programmes that he uses a blend of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. But so many people want to believe he has real powers of mind control, when most of it is simply the last two.

Psychology is the new magic.

I am a great fan of prestidigitation and legerdemain.
It's a skill. It's not magic of course, but it is clever.
I'd rather watch a close-up magician than a juggler.