Whether it’s induced by card tricks or large-scale illusionary feats, the thrill of the surprise and the seemingly impossible holds as much power now as it did thousands of years ago

One of the first recorded magic tricks is said to have been performed in ancient Egypt by Djedi – amythical man who could, supposedly, consume 500 loaves of bread, half an ox and 100 beers in one sitting. In front of the Pharaoh, he took the head off a goose and reattached it, unharmed. While there’s no evidence that Djedi ever existed, the story lives on thousands of years later – and magic’s power to enchant remains equally enduring. So, how has this flamboyant form of deception survived the human thirst for knowledge, enlightenment and YouTube? Why is it still fascinating? And why is it important today? All (well, some) is revealed…

What is magic?

Even though magic is based on secrets, it becomes more impressive the more you know – its definition explains why. The word ‘magic’ can mean anything from nimble fingers to supernatural phenomena. In this case, we’re talking about dexterity, top hats and docile fluffy animals. There are many different definitions but, at its core, it’s an experience. From making the Statue of Liberty disappear to pulling a coin from behind an ear, the experience is the same – the impossible.

Gustav Kuhn, magician and lecturer of psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, provides a definition in his book, Experiencing the Impossible: The Science of Magic. It is, he says: ‘…an experience of wonder that results from a cognitive conflict between things we experience and things we believe to be impossible.’ Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is only magical if you believe there’s no way it could happen while also believing that’s exactly what just happened. Magic relies on your flawed definition of ‘impossible’. The better your understanding of what is and isn’t possible, the more impressive it is to experience. On a societal level, the more you understand about life and the universe, the harder it is for magicians to fool you, but the more impressive it is when they do.