I am in Vegas now and saw Penn and Teller last night. Wonderful show, but two segments stood out in particular.
The first was an illustration of the tricks of the trade for psychics and people who claim to channel the dead and such mumbo jumbo. Penn made quite clear his opinion of these people (they are lying slime taking advantage of people) before illustrating multiple ways they do readings with audience members. Each time he used joke books and had people randomly select jokes. His cold reading was amazing...the guy was visibly nodding and shaking his head, totally subconsciously, allowing Penn to zero in on the joke he choose.
The second part stated with a U.S Flag onstage. They took it down and folded it (in the little triangle just like you are supposed to). They took out a copy of the Bill of Rights and wrapped it around the flag. They then set the flag on fire (not really...they switched it out for a bunch of flash paper) and he said, "The Flag is gone, but the Bill of Rights remains." Which one is more important...which would you rather lose? They then took out a sheet of clear film to represent China's Bill of Rights (there isn't one) and repeated the trick. At the end, the flat magically appeared on the flagpole again and they were both looking at it reverently as the lights blacked out. It has mercifully been a few years since a bunch of yahoos have tried to get that Flag burning amendment passed. Next time it comes up, Penn and Teller should do this routine for the entire House and Senate. Anyone who votes for an amendment banning flag burning after seeing this is too stupid to serve in Congress.
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3 comments:
HB...I love Penn & Teller! They can come up with some crazy stuff to real life situations.
The day they do, I'm going to prison.
For my class titled Freedom of expression, my final paper was on flag desecration. I had a problem with flag clothing up to that paper. While I've always embraced the ability to make a strong statement, the wearing of the flag on clothing wasn't something I felt was right.
In examinng all sides, I wrote that the other day I had seen someonethrow the flag to the ground and then layon it. After he had talked with his friends awhile, he got up and wentto play frisbe with them. As he moved off to take his possition, he stepped on the flag and ground it into the dirt.
It seemed to me he had caused more harm with his indiference, than a flag burner causes with his form of speech. By the end however I realized both people have the right to do just as they did. If ypu take away that right, you take awaya basic tenant of our freedom of expression.
I still have some negative feelings towards flag clothing because of this indifference, but understand both fall under the same freedoms.
I like the thing about showing how magicians' tricks are done, but then I don't. The analytical part of me wants to know how it's done, but the kid inside wants to believe.
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