Hunting the Grail

A discussion about the value and cost of different methods.

[@rickcleveland310]

I’ve been away from your channel for a bit, but I’m glad I’m back! Thank you for your continued content!

[@aidanr9164]

love hearing you talk please don’t stop these casual long video formats

[@dancmkiii8461]

Great content as usual sir.

[@RobertBallMagician]

This effect is getting a lot of feedback. Thanks for insights. 👍😊👍

[@PacelliDM]

As always, great insights into ACAAN, this effect, and magic in general. What are your thoughts on the “too perfect” theory, and how it applies to this effect? I think that’s why a lot of buzz has stirred from this effect, from magicians to laymen.

[@thecommonmagician]

I believe in a "too perfect" theory, but rather than resolving it with the inclusion of red herrings, I believe more in shutting all doors and disproving the obvious answer, when possible.

[@Themagiciangr]

Hey do you have any suggestion for draw duplication.

[@thecommonmagician]

For the common magician... a force of some kind. A svenpad makes the most sense for this... "I have some examples of some simple sketches, shapes, objects, scenes, etc. You can see that I've made quite a few sketches over some time. Go ahead and lift any page and take a peak. Here is a pad and marker for you..." Alternatively, the only way to do this is by getting a peek at what has been drawn. Personally, I'd rather force information than try to decipher it on a glimpse (drawings or written words). Lastly, pocket writing could be strong for this. The final drawing is shown wide in the open, and then a small folded paper is pulled from the shirt or inside jacket pocket with a closely resembled pencil sketched premonition of the drawing.

[@Themagiciangr]

@@thecommonmagician interesting I was thinking something improptu maybe a peek

[@tomkerr2897]

Have a Look at "Totally Magic" and his theory on this

[@thecommonmagician]

...yep. I don't think it's as high-tech as he is suggesting.

[@d_e_a_n]

Stooge is two things: -not randomly selected. -works with magician and is in on it. This kinda feels a bit like the second half.

[@thecommonmagician]

It's not. There is no opportunity to choose in this scenario. Without giving too much away, there is no 'playing along' or being 'in on it'. I think that's what makes it unique. A confederate is a willing participant, either beforehand (which is not permitted on the show) or recruited on the spot (which is permitted on the show, but never happens in this case). This is more like dual reality, but one in which there is no alternate effect, in spite of there being an alternate experience. If I do a trick that can't be surrounded, but I do it surrounded... AND I engineer the scenario so that nobody can speak up about what they see... there are no confederates. Nobody has willingly chosen to do anything, in this case. When I go to a museum and I remain behind the viewing barriers, that doesn't make me an unofficial employee of the museum. I would have to do something far more, like collect the trash and take it to the dumpster. In the former, I'm merely a guest (I don't even have to like the exhibits). In the latter, I'm choosing to benefit the establishment (solicited or not) in a manner above and beyond a guest. On the other hand, if I defy the viewing barriers, I am no longer a guest. I am trespassing. Trespassing requires an active choice that is not offered... meaning that the presence of a barrier does not offer me choice. It establishes an expectation. I the end, both spectators are asked (on the spot, with witnesses) to freely name a card and a number of their choosing, and that is exactly what they do. They are also given some additional (apparently benign/neutral) instruction (that the audience hears and equally comprehends) without the slightest wink or nod, and they do as they are told.