David Blaine: Real or Fake?

Question

Someone I know has watched David Blaine's street show on TV, and goes on to think that the magic tricks he performs aren't tricks, but literally magical performances. Like when he snaps coins. I've particularly seen a number of clear, blatant camera skips in between shots. I can't believe they would actually try to argue with me on these facts, and on this occasion: I want to prove them wrong based on YOUR - LOGICAL - OPINIONS. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Answer 1

I'm absolutely positive that there's no "real magic" invloved, even though it may appear otherwise.

He's incredible at what he does, I admit.

Answer 2

It's fake. He uses common sleight of hand, illusionist, and mentalist tricks that have been around for quite some time. He even said as much on one episode where he visited a country that the locals actually believed in real magic. IIRC, I think the village had a strong voodoo grounding. Some of them were scared of him while the whole time he was saying over and over, "No, it's not what you think, it's not what you think. It's entertainment." My favorite trick he does -- and highest possibility of failure -- is asking somebody to pick a number that's between 1 and 100 that's even (divisible by 2) and then gets up in their face with an intense stare and guesses correctly. It's a mentalist trick that involves seeing if they mouth the number silently, which people do under stress and also to remember it. He does the same trick with cards as well.

Answer 3

It is fifty fifty.