But why ? I am reminded of Davy Crockett's "Not yours to give" speech.
Because of a strong lobby, especially from David Copperfield. As usual, just follow the money.
How does the money get back to David Copperfield?
Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
21–30 of 44 posts
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
And environmental groups. And human rights groups. And consumer rights groups. And safety advocacy groups... etc.
Yes, but they're not so well funded, and their positions are fundamentally harder to communicate than simple, manipulative, well funded campaigns. It's like comparing a pre-school and a military school because they both share the words "School". You won't be totally wrong of course, but you will have missed the point.
Funny how the minute we don't like something it becomes manipulative.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#23The English language seems to be missing some word that other languages have. In Dutch, "goochelen", performed by a "goochelaar" is doing tricks in a show, where you know it's all illusions but it's still very impressive. On the other hand, "toveren", done by a "tovenaar" would be doing something supernatural. Typically a "goochelaar" is somebody on a stage with a black top hat, while a "tovenaar" is more like an old…
'Conjuring tricks' performed by a 'conjuror', are unambiguously impressive deceit, not actual magic. 'Prestidigitation' is another term, if you like your language flowery. But yes, 'magic' and (to a lesser extent) 'wizardry' are ambiguous.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
And environmental groups. And human rights groups. And consumer rights groups. And safety advocacy groups... etc.
Yes, but they're not so well funded, and their positions are fundamentally harder to communicate than simple, manipulative, well funded campaigns. It's like comparing a pre-school and a military school because they both share the words "School". You won't be totally wrong of course, but you will have missed the point.
I don't disagree, but a lot of people don't understand that the term "lobbying" in fact does not just refer to evil corporations bribing politicians, and thus should not be categorically made illegal.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#25And for their first trick, getting this through both houses and signed into law by the president. That would be the illusion of functioning government...
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#26The English language seems to be missing some word that other languages have. In Dutch, "goochelen", performed by a "goochelaar" is doing tricks in a show, where you know it's all illusions but it's still very impressive. On the other hand, "toveren", done by a "tovenaar" would be doing something supernatural. Typically a "goochelaar" is somebody on a stage with a black top hat, while a "tovenaar" is more like an old…
We do, it's prestidigitation but no one really uses it.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#27The English language seems to be missing some word that other languages have. In Dutch, "goochelen", performed by a "goochelaar" is doing tricks in a show, where you know it's all illusions but it's still very impressive. On the other hand, "toveren", done by a "tovenaar" would be doing something supernatural. Typically a "goochelaar" is somebody on a stage with a black top hat, while a "tovenaar" is more like an old…
The word you want in English might be 'prestidigitation'.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#28The English language seems to be missing some word that other languages have. In Dutch, "goochelen", performed by a "goochelaar" is doing tricks in a show, where you know it's all illusions but it's still very impressive. On the other hand, "toveren", done by a "tovenaar" would be doing something supernatural. Typically a "goochelaar" is somebody on a stage with a black top hat, while a "tovenaar" is more like an old…
The fact that they quote Arthur C. Clarke saying "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" plays into this ambiguity. Most of what they're talking about here is "illusion", but I think that quote from Arthur C. Clarke is really referencing the supernatural meaning of the word "magic".
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, but they're not so well funded, and their positions are fundamentally harder to communicate than simple, manipulative, well funded campaigns. It's like comparing a pre-school and a military school because they both share the words "School". You won't be totally wrong of course, but you will have missed the point.
Funny how the minute we don't like something it becomes manipulative.
I think I was pretty clear that the amount of money and power existing in asymmetry is the issue, not whether I like it or not.
Re: Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, but they're not so well funded, and their positions are fundamentally harder to communicate than simple, manipulative, well funded campaigns. It's like comparing a pre-school and a military school because they both share the words "School". You won't be totally wrong of course, but you will have missed the point.
I don't disagree, but a lot of people don't understand that the term "lobbying" in fact does not just refer to evil corporations bribing politicians, and thus should not be categorically made illegal.
I think it's worth remembering that when people talk about "Lobbying", they are often talking about a particular subset of lobbying attached to extremely vast sources of money and power. More, the unrestricted nature of that lobbying, in practice, breaks the system down.
It would be the case if this were happening with well-intentioned environmentalists too, although I'm sure it would look very different in the particulars. The fact is though, that in history doesn't teach us to be concerned about vastly wealthy and powerful environmental interests. Maybe that will change someday, but it's not the history of our planet at least.
tl;dr Context