A new paradigm of magic and lying to Magicians

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Wyattsb

On the subject of stooges, is there a difference between me flat out pre organising something for a sepctator to think of and how they will react when I 'read' their mind, and giving him a torn corner of a card to sneak into someone's pocket for a more powerful reveal when I 'tear' it off later. In both cases still only one person knows the secret, the experience isn't detracted for the rest of the audience any more in either situation.

Actually, using stooges to fool a bigger crowd with is fine (so not like Criss Angel having all spectators be stooges). However, if you "read" someone's mind, you will have to make it seem as if anyone could have been selected and it will usually help the act a lot to ask the selected person whether you know them or have met them before or not.

On top of that, they have to be good actors (proven by many, including Criss Angel and some hypnotists) as stooges rarely give a spot-on reaction, both timing-wise and reaction-wise, and therefore can easily destroy the effect. Then again, if the effect would not look nearly as magical or would be a whole lot riskier without any stooge at all, you might as well use them nonetheless.

Of course, using a stooge to sneak anything into someone's pocket always is more than fine.. and a lot safer if you consider the above factors.