David Blaine is one of the most famous magicians in the world. When I was asked to do a psychological analysis of one of his performances, I typed his name on YouTube in search of inspiration. I can’t say I lacked material: frog regurgitations, tricks with needles, knives, and bullets. The guy can hold his breath for seventeen minutes, and he survived over a month in a box with no food.
I'm choosing to do a complete psychological analysis of David Blaine's appearance on Jimmy Fallon – but we won't be looking at his frog trick; no, no, we'll be taking a closer look at David Blaine's Cards Across effect.
Ha! Didn’t expect it, do you? If you believe pulling a frog out of your mouth is more impressive than invisibly moving playing cards, I respect that. But here’s my point: I want to focus on an effect that many of us are familiar with, something you likely have learned, practiced, or even performed yourself. So, I chose a trick you might want to and can perform. Watching Blaine in action can give you practical advice. Trust me - there is a lot to learn from him.
So, put your frogs back in the pond; it's time for a card trick.
My name is Gaia, and I have a background in magic and psychology. I perform magic on stages all over the world, and I am enrolled in a Master’s Degree program in clinical psychology. I aim to bond these two worlds, which have so much in common.
Let's apply some of this psychological thinking and break down Blaine's entire performance. To make it easy for everyone, we will include GIFs throughout, which may take a while to load depending on your email server and internet connection.
