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In the magician's case everyone, except maybe small kids, knows that what they see is not real and just the illusion. The entertainment comes from the fact that

by rimliu 7y ago

In the magician's case everyone, except maybe small kids, knows that what they see is not real and just the illusion. The entertainment comes from the fact that we don't know how that illusion is done or even if we do know we still admire the mastery. In the case of astrology, cold reading, etc. many sincerely believe that there are some higher forces at work.

criley2 7y ago
I don't agree. Magic works on a lot more people than you're willing to admit, and a lot less people truly believe in psychics than you think. I also notice you didn't touch professional wrestling, another case where while many know it's fake, many others enjoy it as if it were real. Or if we want to get political, let's talk about religion and Christian churches. Is it fraudulent to offer a religious service to people who believe it's real?
- dr_hooo 7y ago
  While I personally don't get the appeal of wrestling, I accept that some people get enjoyment out of it. However beyond losing them some money (tickets, merchandise) the harm in this case is minimal. For psychics and religion? not so much. People who blindly take what they are told as the truth may make life defining decisions based on the "advice" given. In some cases the outcome may be benign or even positive, but in most cases a real persons action are influenced by statements not grounded in reality. So overall it is valid to call out these "services" as fraudulent IMO.
- paulryanrogers 7y ago
  > Is it fraudulent to offer a religious service to people who believe it's real? If one knows something is untrue then I'd say it's fraud. After decades growing up in increasingly progressive churches I'd say that secular education is whittling away at all the falsifiable claims. Conveniently there are scriptures like "don't test the Lord your God." So there are parts that, in their view, can never be disproven. (Of course god can and does test people and violate free will.) EDIT: fixed incomplete quote

by rimliu 7y ago

criley2 7y ago

I don't agree. Magic works on a lot more people than you're willing to admit, and a lot less people truly believe in psychics than you think. I also notice you didn't touch professional wrestling, another case where while many know it's fake, many others enjoy it as if it were real. Or if we want to get political, let's talk about religion and Christian churches. Is it fraudulent to offer a religious service to people who believe it's real?

dr_hooo 7y ago
While I personally don't get the appeal of wrestling, I accept that some people get enjoyment out of it. However beyond losing them some money (tickets, merchandise) the harm in this case is minimal. For psychics and religion? not so much. People who blindly take what they are told as the truth may make life defining decisions based on the "advice" given. In some cases the outcome may be benign or even positive, but in most cases a real persons action are influenced by statements not grounded in reality. So overall it is valid to call out these "services" as fraudulent IMO.
paulryanrogers 7y ago
> Is it fraudulent to offer a religious service to people who believe it's real? If one knows something is untrue then I'd say it's fraud. After decades growing up in increasingly progressive churches I'd say that secular education is whittling away at all the falsifiable claims. Conveniently there are scriptures like "don't test the Lord your God." So there are parts that, in their view, can never be disproven. (Of course god can and does test people and violate free will.) EDIT: fixed incomplete quote