"Magic is advanced empathy" | American Magic Episode 2: Garrett Thomas in Buffalo

In Buffalo, New York, Nate Staniforth talks to Garrett Thomas about why he doesn't know what magic he'll do for someone when he meets them and the challenge of not just doing magic, but creating magical moments.
Nate Staniforth drove across the United States talking to his favorite magicians about all the elements of magic from creation to execution and beyond. Join his expedition in this weekly mini-series, this summer on Scam Nation.
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[@dallaschaffin1946]

The description he gave about the difference between magic and being magical gave me chills. I never once thought of that being the case, until now

[@magicman506]

Watched the first bunch of these last year on Nate's channel, and this was my favorite episode. I'm excited to see the rest of the series.

[@NateStaniforth]

Great, thanks for watching. I'm excited to share the rest of the episodes with you.

[@scamschool]

Man, I really love that line about “advanced empathy”

[@brendenbenoit7539]

I've seen and met this cool guy around ten times in my life. And each time my mind is absolutely blown. He makes you question and think alot about life. Cant wait to witness his greatness again

[@Veggieman87]

I love the artist metaphor. In the recent Mr. Miracle comic miniseries (check it out, it's awesome), they use a somewhat similar story. An artist challenges his mentor to create the best painting either can and present the paintings to the public so they can decide which work is better. They go away to work and come back after they've finished. Both paintings are covered with black curtains so the artists can reveal their works. The student goes first and pulls back the curtain to show the most realistic bowl of grapes anyone has ever seen. Birds fly down from the sky to try to eat them, even some spectators reach for the canvas expecting to pull the grapes from the painting. The student gets a tremendous round of applause. The student cockily tells the master to pull back their curtain to show their painting. The master turns and says "what curtain?" It's about knowing what your audience will get the most out of, what will make them feel something the most. The student's work was undoubtedly a masterpiece, but the master made something so unique and unexpected that it surprised everyone, even someone who "knows better".

[@vladfarcam4817]

Imagine this conversation without the music

[@NateStaniforth]

Too much music? I'm still learning the production side of this kind of work so I'm open to ideas. The music is set as it is to compensate for the awful background noise in the brewery where we recorded the interview. Apparently they were steam cleaning their equipment that afternoon and the all-pervasive hiss bleeds into Garrett's mic especially. After the noise reduction filters removed as much of this as possible the dialog sounded a little robotic, so I added the music to cover this a little. But, I hear you. Rest assured that future episodes already have less music during the interviews, and I'll keep that in mind as I cut the remainder of the series.

[@80pedacito]

Garrett... If you read this... Write a book ! 😀

[@Mezzier]

WOW ! I was not expecting an episode like that from scam nation. I really like it and hope you post the full conversation.

[@j.pocket]

Brilliant. "All (art is) magic is advanced empathy." I could not possibly imagine a more factual statement has ever been spoken throughout all of human history.

[@SkellyBobRoss]

I need to find this Garrett, I've lived outside Buffalo my whole life.

[@benjaminbenson3399]

I love your choice of background music it gives an "Ira glass"feel that is quite touching. But..you could have it more and just a bit louder . thanks!

[@danielkelley7548]

This guy inspires me to be a better magician

[@s_b156]

You guys should make a scam school logo sticker to put on those black and white notebooks.

[@ZGBrickfilms]

This was a great episode! Very cool!

[@timmyphilp7622]

Really cool how they did a premiere, combined the live chat interaction of a live stream but the great edits of the video.

[@scamschool]

So glad you enjoyed it. Given that magic is such a communal art, I feel like we should do more of these as premieres.

[@NateStaniforth]

@@scamschool Yeah, I really enjoyed it as well. Thanks for watching.

[@4MEStudios]

You and I are asking the same question Nate...."What is magic" dear god I'm hanging on every word so far. Keeping going down the rabbit hole I know there will be a bunch of people following!

[@NateStaniforth]

Thanks Murl. I'm glad you're watching and am excited to share the rest of the series with you.

[@meusfeitusfeitus]

That hit me hard. Even made me rethink the way I see and talk about my profession...

[@micahphilson]

The music is too loud on these. "Here's this really meaningful, important bit of information: *DOO DOO DOO DOODOO DEE DOO DOO DOO DUM DOOO DOO DOO...*

[@jacoblundy5285]

That man is a genius

[@OwenStaton1]

Everyone and then you find gold, it's right here now.

[@ADIMIRROR]

i love the philosophy of garett thomas, this thing "not doing it for theim to remember but rather making a magical moment, be in the moment of now" is beautyfull, i'll keep this in mind , magic is my job (i don't call myself a professional, but it 's my job) . Can we see the full interview somewhere?

[@mickvk]

Nice work y'all. That was very sentimental.

[@JonathanNg.Magician]

Absolutely love this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@puffin-onehandedgamer1164]

this video is strange, I've watched it several times and it doesmn't register on youtube as "watched". I have the same problem with the Modern Rogue video about "home made fuses" and the one called "Ferrocerium Flashbang" that came out a on june 26. it doesn't register that I've watched them.

[@Flactoid1]

What was the trick at the very beginning?

[@conkysamsquanch]

I wanted to see the trick at the beginning, is there a link to it?

[@Jonamission]

I like the content but background music is meant to be in the background. It is too loud.

[@Punishment_for_Decadence]

5:10 I can't disagree more strongly. For many people like myself who went through childhood neglect/abuse and as a result have a general mistrust of others, magic is a way of reconnecting positively with people again. Learning magic builds discipline, skill, and self-esteem, and we need more people in society who are confident in themselves and actually believe that they can do something that brings joy to others - because it is usually the case that those who have low self-esteem lash out at others. Do you really want people who hate the world to not have a portal back to engaging society in a positive way? And why then say that if they don't have love for people, they should become a surgeon instead... which is probably one of the *most* altruistic professions you could name?

[@NateStaniforth]

This is such a good point-thank you. I can’t speak for Garrett, but I believe he was reacting against the usual tendency of magicians to use magic as a way of making themselves look cool or powerful or impressive. I love the way Garrett presents magic as a way of forming a genuine and unique connection with his audience rather than trying to impress them or even deceive them. And you’re right about magic being a way to reconnect with people in a positive way. You learn pretty early on as a magician that one of the best ways of encountering wonder in your own life is to share it with others-that one way to find it yourself is to give it away. And magic is such a good and efficient way of doing this. As for surgeons being altruistic… I’m not sure. Some of them, certainly, but I suspect that greed and ambition can creep into just about any profession. I’d propose that you can do any job for good reasons or bad ones, magic and surgery included.

[@GlenndalfTheMagician]

Way too short!

[@wobblysauce]

2017 you say...

[@CreamyCornCob]

Creamer says whats up to the scam nation.

[@leonhuggins7579]

Magic is magic only an American would label it american magic

[@scamschool]

I think you missed the first episode. This series is a tour across America, interviewing some of the best magicians along the way.

[@seane.belcher4806]

A little boring. Like just watching the majic but its a show and shows are like that you know.🤣

[@nortonofnorthamerica]

OG but to magicians it was akin to Copernicus telling people the earth revolves around the sun

[@seane.belcher4806]

Savage spelling am I right🤣