The Perception of Magic in Culture is Changing

The zeitgeist is changing. In today’s social world magic is cool and popular.

There's new postage stamps celebrating the Art of Magic. There's a new Netflix series. David Blaine is touring the country and selling out theaters. David Copperfield continues to reign in Vegas. I could go on and on.

And in my real-world performances people are approaching me before I approach them, asking to see some close-up magic.

I think what's most important is that people are starting to understand that magic takes skill. They understand now that I am not some charlatan pretending to have powers. Because I have made the choice to highlight my technical ability instead of a mysterious force, people are more open, accepting and interested. They’re not scared of magic, they dig it. And while they still incessantly make jokes about me taking their watches and wallets, they now have a positive correlation to magic. 

Thanks to Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us” they now understand that magic has different genres and styles and that there are layers to performers’ abilities and personalities. I think that this is the greatest gift that show has given the art of magic. 

People no longer categorically pronounce “I hate magic” or “I love magic.” Their appreciation and vocabulary has expanded. Just like they can like certain types of food and not others, enjoy certain comedians and avoid others, they are now starting to have the same relationship with magic. We’re not all just bunched into one group. People see us as individual artists and they come towards us ready to be entertained and delighted.

What a difference. I'm glad the times they are a changing.