According to the article, the researchers concluded that magicians sometimes understand the workings of the human brain better than they did. "The more we thought about it, the more we realized that magicians actually had skills that we didn't have, as scientists," says Dr. Stephen Macknik in the story.

Mac King performed for a subject who's eye movements were closely monitored. The conclusion? "You think you can see everything all at once, when in fact, you can't," says Macknik in the story. "So, the fact is that magicians are able to take advantage of that by knowing that you can only focus in one place while they do something somewhere else."

"We predict that autistics will detect the method in a magic trick better than someone with a Ph.D," Macknik also says in the story. "Autistics are people with deficits in joint attention, so they not only can't pay attention very well to people and where they're supposed to pay attention, but they're kind of repulsed by it.

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Magicians Penn and Teller
Las Vegas Magic Shows

I admit a recent craving for Hulu.com where I've been watching "The Biggest Loser," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Family Guy." I recently discovered that the entire first season of Criss Angel MindFreak is now available to watch online for free via Hulu.

It's interesting for me to go back in time and read my thoughts about Angel's first season. At the time, I even interviewed Angel just as the season got underway. This was long before Angel's Believe show in Las Vegas and all the criticism hurled from the magic community.

I reviewed the first two episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" in a single review.

I said in my review:
"Despite some great effects and Angel's brooding charisma, the show lacks the uplifting feel and impact of Copperfield's best television specials...Overall, Criss Angel Mindfreak was baffling, mystifying and mostly entertaining, which made it good for magic."

I stand by this statement today.

I also commented on Angel's new look and persona:
"I haven't seen Angel's first television special in a long time, but it seems to me that he is wearing less theatrical make-up these days, and, in interviews, is trying to portray himself as more of an average, affable guy that people can relate to. I think he is intentionally toning the down the extreme elements."

Of course, Angel eventually sold the secret to one of the show's levitations to the public on a DVD. You can watch the episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" on Hulu.com.

I also reviewed later shows in the season including the "Wine Barrel/Nail Bed" and "Prediction" and you can watch these via Hulu as well ("Wine Barrel", "Nail Bed" and "Prediction").

I said in a review of the entire first season:
"The high level of magic that Angel presented in his first season is a testament to his creativity and hard work and the dedicated efforts and contributions of his magic consultants and staff. While I recognized some magic effects, there were many that simply left me fried."

Was I being too nice? Many of you who wrote me thought so. But thanks to Hulu, you can now view the episodes and decide for yourself.

More Reading:
Review: Criss Angel Believe
About Magician Criss Angel
Interview with Criss Angel

I responded negatively to a recent press release that touted a new firm. "Teach By Magic" promises to instruct teachers on how to use magic to enhance class lessons. In my story, I found the quoted statistics misleading and the "lessons" to actually be simple magic tricks, many of which are already taught here for free.

What irritated me most was that I found the concept downright insulting to teaching professionals. After all, what do magicians know about teaching and standing in front of a classroom of students?

Many of you responded with reactions. Thanks to all who wrote in.

To use magic to teach the lesson is ridiculous. It doesn't speak well for you as a teacher if you have to entertain your students to teach them. While education can be entertaining, education is not entertainment, and shouldn't be treated as such. Sounds like these "Teach by Magic" guys are just out for a quick buck. The educators I know would never go for it.
James Jay, October 13, 2009

I think we can add stuff like this as another reason why the art of magic is not well respected. This kind of stuff just cheapens what magicians do (not to mention what teachers do). Anyone can teach. But not everyone can inspire with their teaching. Anyone can do magic. But few can do it well enough to inspire and capture the imagination.
Unmasked Magician, October 20, 2009

I'm a teacher and I can't believe that these magicians think they have all of the answers. Let's see them prepare a real lesson and spend an entire day with the kids and see how far their simple magic tricks take them. I'm also an amateur magician and I sometimes do tricks for the kids as a reward. The tricks I see on the teacher site are ones that I teach the kids. I find that some of the kids already know these when I teach them. I wouldn't want to try and fool them with those simple tricks. As Wayne says, leave the teaching to the pros.
Vbennet, October 13, 2009

Coincidentally enough, during the past year, I've been using magic to reinforce lessons in Alaska history. The classroom and library programs have been popular enough that I began developing a book and a series of magical effects to highlight American history instruction. First, I would NEVER try to tell teachers how to teach. What I would offer would be a series of magical effects specifically designed to help them do what they do best, and that is educating our young people. What I would hope to present is more than just changing the patter slightly to make the trick seem educational, but something that incorporates curriculum values within the script. It's not easy, and not all tricks can be adapted. But that's where the fun and creativity come in. If you're interested in what I'm doing check out my website, and in particular, join the Society of American Magicians in time to read the December edition of M-U-M. It's even available on line!
Jeff Brown, October 23, 2009

More Reading:
"Teach By Magic" Doesn't Make Grade
The Best of the Easy Tricks
The Best Magic Books for Beginners

When Ellusionist released the first Black Tiger and Ghost themed decks some years back, I loved the edgy look of the cards as well as their quality and feel. However, at the time, I was apprehensive about performing with cards that were not standard Bicycle cards. My initial fear was that spectators may think that the unusual looking cards were gimmicked or trick cards.

But after several years of popular cards in all sorts of colors and designs, most of them manufactured by the U.S. Playing Card Company that produces Bicycle, Bee, Aviator and all the popular brands, I think that magicians are now free to use whatever cards they wish.

Spectators are accustomed to seeing different back designs and some designs can lend to a magician's persona. In particular, I think the cards are fantastic for extreme card manipulation (XCM) and card flourishes as popularized by Jerry Cestkowski and Dan and Dave Buck.

Arcane, the newest theme cards to hit the market, come from Ellusionist. The edgy-looking and attractive cards come in both black and white versions. I like the reverse exposure face cards, the slightly thinner and quality card stock, the gradient indexes that feature a slight fade out and ultra smooth finish that makes fanning smooth as silk. Like the Black Tiger and Ghost Decks, the Arcane decks are manufactured by the U.S. Playing Company for Ellusionist.

I also like another new and edgy deck called the Karnival Assassins from Big Blind Media and the U.S. Playing Card Company. The cards feature skeletons and like the original Karnival cards, were designed by artist Sam Hayles. In addition to a high grade stock the deck offers features for magicians that include: a subtle one-way back design and card revelations on the box's barcode and on a joker.

In the end, it's all about personal preference and the kinds of card that you like to work with and the design that best supports your performing persona. There are lots of choices out there and you can be free to perform with the decks that you like best.

More Reading:
Karnival Cards
Black Tiger Deck, Gaff Deck & Black Book
Xtreme Beginnerz

The Trilogy (3 DVD Set) by Dan And Dave Buck