Magic - Not Supernatural

In a previous blog I had mentioned that a lot of people believe that the so-called "gurus" have supernatural powers. They are supposed to create things out of thin air. A celebrated baba who has a vast number of followers has been credited with producing gold wrist watches, rings and other valuables just with a wave of his hand. I do not believe that such things can withstand a proper scientific scrutiny.

However, there are magicians, who can do really good magic tricks. The celebrated conjuring duo Penn and Teller do a trick in which they simultaneously shoot each other with pistols, and each appear to catch the bullet in his teeth. Elaborate precautions are taken to scratch identifying marks on the bullets before they are put in the guns, the whole procedure is witnessed at close range by volunteers from the audience who have experience of guns, and apparently all possibilities for trickery are eliminated. Teller's marked bullet ends up in Penn's mouth and Penn's marked bullet ends up in Teller's mouth. I am unable to think of any way in which this could be a trick. Could it be a supernatural performance? A miracle! No, Penn and Teller say that this is only a magic trick and nothing else.

This is how the trick is performed. After markings are made on the bullets by independent members of the audience, a line is drawn down the centre of the stage to prevent Penn and Teller coming into close contact. A glass screen is placed on the line. When the guns are fired, the glass shatters to prove that real bullets have been fired, and that the performers have not hidden the bullets in their hands or mouths. The guns Penn and Teller use are fitted with laser sights to add to the suspense and drama of the trick. After catching the bullets in their mouths, the performers spit them on to metal trays. These are inspected by neutral observers and certified that the bullets did indeed come from the opponents. The 'bullet catch' is one of the most dangerous and daring tricks performed on the stage. It is reported that more than twelve magicians have been killed while performing this trick, which has given rise to a story that the trick carries a 'curse'. This is a bit suspect, because magicians often include stories of death, dismemberment and curses as part of staging suspenseful tricks.

I have spent hours thinking about the solution for this 'bullet catching' trick, but could not find one. If I were not a skeptic, I would have thought that Penn and Teller had miraculous powers.