#magic trick

Source details and larger version.

That doesn't seem right to me (about the conclusion vis a vis magic, not the "lying to grease the wheels of social exchange" part).

It feels more intuitive to me that the reason we're okay with being deceived is because that's the universe we consent to when we agree to be shown a magic trick? Like, you know a magician is trying to fool you. That's the point. You're here to be fooled. That's what makes it entertaining.

Consenting to ignore socially unacceptable behaviors for the purpose of entertainment is really common. See: almost every kink. Or... a boxing match, right? Sparring. In the real world, you can't generally beat a dude into the floor and expect to be friends the next morning. But a boxing ring is a universe where you've consented to set aside the social faux pas of punching someone in the face; moreover, you're both expecting it to happen. That's the whole point.

Source details and larger version.

Source details and larger version.

Discover 13 magic tricks from the Middle Ages, from invisible ink and disappearing coins to floating eggs and burning mirrors, based on a medieval text.