You may or might not have heard the term "mentalist" to describe a certain kind of performer. But what exactly can be a Mentalist? Is it diverse from a Magician?
Well, mentalism can be a style of magic performance which focuses on the mind (as opposed to other styles of magical performance like card tricks or escapology). The tricks performed by mentalists typically give the illusion of such phenomenon as psychokinesis, mind-reading, extra-sensory perception, precognition, mind control or clairvoyance. Hypnotism may also be part of mentalism.
There are many variations of mentalism. Some performers, including Uri Gellar, do basically claim to possess real supernatural powers, e.g. clairvoyance or telepathy. Other performers, such as Derren Brown, are a lot more open about the fact that their act is the fact is all based on trickery, for example the capacity to read body language or to manipulate the participant with the use of psychological suggestions.
Many mentalists take into consideration their art form as becoming incredibly diverse from standard magic, and as such do not mix the two styles together. However, there are some exceptions to this, for instance David Blaine, Criss Angel and David Copperfield, who often do mix bits of mentalism into their magic acts.
Personally I believe it really is excellent that some mentalists today are open about the kind of methods they employ. By performing so, they show up so-called psychics and mediums as being fakes and charlatans. It just goes to show how by practicing the right techniques, how quick it may be to fool folks.
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