The most important podcast available today, in my opinion, is The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe. Each episode digs deep into news stories from around the world and exposes the junk science and its practitioners. Dr. Steven Novella (blog) is a neurologist, and he and his panel of “skeptical rogues” are knowledgeable and funny. Even better, they know how to think properly, so no claim goes unscrutinized — even those they once held dear.
Most episodes also contain a thoughtful interview with someone who really knows what they’re talking about. Some of the interviews are people with whom the panel disagrees, and intelligent debate ensues, without shouting or other daytime-television garbage breaking out.
Add to all that the fact that each show ends with a clever puzzle (answers revealed on the next episode), a quote, and a fun and challenging “Science or Fiction” game during which Dr. Novella challenges the panel (and the listeners) to reason out which of one the three “news” stories is fictitious. Not only is the show entertaining and enlightening, it’s consistently out on time every week.
If none of that is enough, there’s also a cute and smart(ass) girl (Rebecca Watson) on the show whose no-hold-barred innuendo and sharp comments will have you laughing loudly during your commute. Rebecca Watson’s other hobbies include blogging and selling calendars with photos of tastefully nude skeptics. There’s one available for each sex.
One of the things magicians learn over time is this: To get anywhere with an audience, they have to like you first. As in most other areas in life, performers must have a likable personality to achieve success in an intimate setting. An often-repeated truth in the magic world is that if they like you, they will love the simplest trick. If they don’t like you, a display of great dexterity and skill will get you nowhere.
While it’s fun to discuss magic with my readers, I’m sure most of you aren’t magicians (muggles, laymen, or perhaps “normal” people), so it is important that I tie these little excursions in with useful, real-world information. Although many of you may already do this (perhaps without realizing it), remember to treat the people you encounter in your daily life like people. Some people treat a waitress or store clerk like an ATM — present card, receive what you want, go on with your important day. Others take the time to say hello, ask how they are (don’t ask if you plan to continue speaking without waiting for an answer), or in some other way acknowledge them as a fellow human being.
While I’m sure most people don’t realize the effect they are having on others, I suspect that a lack of this kind of respect is largely responsible for rude or indifferent service everywhere from airports to fast-food restaurants. Not only will being more aware of this make their day (and yours) a little better, you may be surprised to find out that some people you didn’t even notice yesterday have perks, upgrades, and other goodies available at their discretion. A magician I know takes the time to perform a little magic for airline employees while checking in, and sometimes gets a free seating upgrade. They make the person serving them feel important. Try getting that kind of service by impressing them with how important you are…
July 3rd, 2007 by ShawnMilo Magic
The magic shop I visit regularly is in the middle of the block. On one corner is a small sandwich place which I frequent when I’m at the shop. This past Saturday I stopped by for a sub, and the woman who made it for me complained that I never do any magic for her when I come in. This was true, mostly because they’re usually busy. So I pulled a small item out of my pocket and performed one of my favorite illusions. She immediately stated that it was all the prop (it wasn’t). Seeing that she was a tough customer, I pulled out a deck of cards and did a foolproof effect which is mystifying even to magicians (if they’re unfamiliar with the method), but is very easy to perform and doesn’t require any tricky moves to set off Miss Picky. She insisted on pulling a card out of the deck (although it was not a “pick a card” effect) while the deck was on the counter, and kept looking at it although, right in front of her, magic happened. Needless to say, she was unimpressed by the climax, although she shuffled the cards at the beginning of the effect.
People like this are one of the reasons magicians know not to perform unless they are asked. However, I was asked to perform. I won’t again — for her. But the question at hand is why some people are like this. Quite often, people take the attitude that if a magician fools them, the magician thinks the spectator is stupid. Maybe they have seen magicians perform who presented their effects in a challenging way. This turns magic into a puzzle. Puzzles are meant to be solved, or they are frustrating. But a good magician should present their effects as magic that they are sharing with their audience, not doing to their audience.
Look: There’s no such thing as magic. Everybody knows that. If you are fortunate enough to encounter a competent magician one day and he’s trying to entertain you, relax and enjoy it. He’s (hopefully) not on an ego trip. He probably spent months practicing that effect — first alone, and then for family and magic buddies until they were ready to scream, just so he could offer you a moment of childlike wonder. If you don’t like magic, just remove yourself from the situation politely. Don’t try to “catch” him. It ruins it for everyone else, and for the poor guy who just trying to do something nice for people — to break the monotony of reality, if only for a few seconds.
July 2nd, 2007 by ShawnMilo Magic
This being the first post of this new blog, the topic of virginity seems to be relevant. I was reading a post on the Atheist’s Wager blog discussing virginity, and was suddenly struck by a realization: there is no such thing. Referring to someone as a virgin is a commonly accepted way to refer to the physical — if not moral or spiritual — state of a person.
Consider that the concept of virginity was invented by religious people, and its meaning has evolved since it was created. When it came to describe someone who has not yet had sexual intercourse, it applied only to females and the hymen was considered a reliable test. Anyone who has attended at least a sixth-grade health class knows why this “test” isn’t worth anything. Yet virginity is a highly-prized “thing” that men value in women (and society values even in its young men), to the point where Japanese geisha traditionally auctioned off their virginity, or mizuage for .
Obviously I’m not the first to realize this, nor is this blog the first place the idea has been published. Which makes it even more interesting to me — how a simple, seemingly common-sense notion is imperceptible to even secular societies. How else has religious influence left its fingerprints in our cultures even after we have abandoned so many of its darker trappings?
I hope this first posting opens up many conversations with my new readers, and I look forward to getting to know you.
