Many moons ago, there was a satisfaction I gained from using my skills as a magician to shatter people’s perception of reality. While no master of the craft, by any stretch, the philosophical underpinnings of bringing awe through illusion kept me satisfied and insanely curious. It kept my mind occupied for years.

Unfortunately, with the commitments of life and saturation of online video content that spoils every magician’s routine, I fear the mystery is gone. The awe has been replaced with the act and the achievement of the illusionist today is to appear on a reality TV show in order to fool people.

Is there still good magic out there?

Absolutely. 

But my worry is people aren’t seeking it anymore because they are happy to build a world of illusion around themselves. In fact, they’re content to actively fool themselves. The worry, and the difference, is you ask a magician to pretend their powers are real. When the show is over, you go back to reality.

And right now, reality is becoming a fleeting concept.

Take, for instance, the online world of pornography. This has become the teaching device for young people today, who fail to recognize none of what they are witnessing is real. Not to mention the numerous other issues that results of it—even preferring the digital screen to real intimacy.

Or the fact it’s becoming incredibly easy to isolate yourself in a bubble, accepting social media posts as being indicative of what’s happening in your community instead of actually going out and being in it.

Recently, I went on an old man rant with my students that Civics is a required course for graduating high school and yet, we’re witnessing the lowest voter turnout on all levels of government and a complete failure to understand how our country is even run. People would rather doomscroll the latest TikTok video on the subject, regardless of its accuracy… or in most cases, inaccuracies.

I know my concerns are also shared by those in the tech industry. I mean, that was the whole reason “The Social Dilemma” documentary was produced.

The question I consider is whether we will continue to build this world of illusion, or swing the pendulum back to some semblance of reality?

I, for one, would rather watch a ballgame with my family and neighbours, building a real community with all its joys and flaws, than live in fear and anger over a world of illusion I willingly put myself into.