Eight Benefits of Playing Dumb

In an earlier post I wrote, “Playing dumb (even when the audience knows you’re just ‘playing’) is incredibly disarming.”

Today I want to write about the benefits I see to playing dumb for the amateur performer. By “playing dumb,” I mean any sort of presentation or presentational technique that suggests there are aspects of what you’re showing them that you don’t fully understand or aren’t completely under your control. This is something I think should be done subtly. i’m not saying your “character” should be “wacky confused magician.” I’m just saying I’ve found benefits to presenting magic in a way that underplays my power and/or knowledge

(I’m not recommending these types of presentations for professionals or to be put on youtube or facebook or whatever. They really only works in amateur performances done in real life, in my opinion.)

Here are 8 of those benefits that work regardless of the spectator’s level of belief in your “dumbness.”

1. It subverts one of the bad magician stereotypes.

There are two primary stereotypes people have about magicians, as you see represented in pop-culture. First is that they’re creepy weirdos. Second is that they’re losers trying to impress people with their fake powers. (I guess there’s some overlap there.) If you “play dumb” a little you will come off as someone who is not motivated by looking like the smartest/most powerful guy in the room. That undermines the stereotype of needing attention and affirmation. So now you just need to worry about the creepy weirdo thing, which hopefully you have already defeated in your interaction with the people.

2. It’s a safety net should things go wrong.

It doesn’t bother me much if a trick fails. I just don’t feel embarrassment very keenly. But it’s still nice to have a presentational safety-net should things not go right. If you say, “I will light that candle with just the power of my mind,” and it doesn’t light, then the audience has nowhere to go but, “Oh, did your fake-y candle not work?”

But if you say, “I’m working on some pyrokinesis stuff. I want to try something. Would you mind standing behind me in case I pass out?” And then, if the candle doesn’t light, you can say, “Damn, this is really hard. I’ll get there.” And your failure doesn’t up-end the narrative you’ve established.

3. It puts you in a position to lead reactions.

See this post on leading reactions.

There’s nothing weirder than a person who is acting the role of “magician” but also acts surprised by the magic around them. Why did you get on stage in that tuxedo only to be surprised by the cards that keep coming from your hands? What did you think you were going to do on that stage?

But, by “playing dumb” you can often put yourself and your spectator on the same side of the experience. This allows you to guide their reactions in a way.

So, if you say you want to try to manifest a spirit, maybe you dim the lights and read an incantation and a picture falls from the wall. “Ah, fuck that shit,” you say. You turn on the lights. You’re spooked. The incantation is cancelled. If you’re freaked out, that can freak them out.

Or if you’re amazed or confused or shocked by something, you can end up amplifying those feelings in others. But that doesn’t work if you’re presenting yourself as completely in control.

4. It suggests confidence.

More often than not, people will understand that you’re playing dumb. But that’s a good look. Traditionally in magic we’re acting more powerful than we really are. Often (not always) when you’re playing dumb you’re acting as if you deserve less credit for what’s happening. This is an attractive trait in people.

5. It frees people up to react to the magic rather than reacting to you.

If you’re, “The Magician,” then everything that happens is a result of your powers and therefore the way they react to the trick is a referendum on you and your performance. By shifting the focus off yourself, you’re able to make it more about the experience than about you.

For people who want to give you credit, they’re still able to do so, as they will realize that regardless of the approach you took to what you were showing them, you were ultimately the person behind what happened.

For people who want to get a little more caught up in the magic and the impossibility, then you’ve given them something they can entertain in their mind besides the idea that you have super-powers.

6. It feels more spontaneous.

“I’m going to show you my powers via this trick,” feel much less spontaneous than, “I want to try something out.” The first suggest you know exactly how it will play out and this is just a demonstration of something you’ve done many times before. The second suggests that you’re all going to discover something together.

7. It implies a broader world of secrets.

If you, the person performing the trick, don’t understand exactly how it works, then that suggests that there are aspects to magic methodologies that are a little more “out there” and fascinating than someone might normally imagine.

8. It’s more consistent with a small demonstration.

“I have the powers of the mages of yore. Behold my awesome gifts, mortals. Watch as I float this match above this card.”

vs.

“What the heck? I swear, this matchstick just floated off this card a little. How the hell? I can’t believe that telekinesis pill worked. No, I swear it happened. I’ve been concentrating on it for five minutes. Shit… why won’t it go up again. Oh wait… there it goes!”

A final, potential benefit is this…

It clouds the waters.

You: “Look! I have magic powers!”

Them: “That was cool. But, no, you don’t.”

End of discussion

As opposed to this…

You: “I’m trying something out.” “I’m learning something.” “I read this weird thing.” “Check out this thing I found.” “There’s this woman I know who claims she can read mind. I want to test her.”

Them: “Hmmm… really? Oh… you’re just kidding around. Wait… are you serious?”

My goal (and I’m not saying it should be yours, which is why I only call this a “potential benefit”) is to make it a little harder to dismiss what I showed them as “just a trick.” By playing dumb I’m able to complicate the story of the effect to give them more to consider, and hopefully amp up the mystery of the entire interaction.