Magic has been a topic of fascination and intrigue for centuries. It has captured the imagination of people across cultures, who have wondered about the possibility of its existence. While some people dismiss magic as mere illusion or trickery, others believe in its existence and even practice it. Those who argue against the existence of magic often attribute it to various psychological and scientific explanations. They argue that what appears to be magic is simply a result of the human mind misinterpreting or misunderstanding certain phenomena. For example, they believe that a magician's ability to perform tricks and illusions is merely a result of their sleight of hand, misdirection, and other techniques.
While about 75% of the people accused of witchcraft were women, at least a quarter were men, according to Baker. Male friends and family of a woman accused of witchcraft would also be accused of witchcraft, and witchcraft was believed to be passed down in families, to grandchildren for instance. On top of that, any man who defended a woman accused of witchcraft could be accused of witchcraft.
Seventeenth-century Salem incorporated the area of about six or seven different towns and cities today, including the rural farming community of Danvers. Seventeenth-century Salem incorporated the area of about six or seven different towns and cities today, including the rural farming community of Danvers.
For example, they believe that a magician's ability to perform tricks and illusions is merely a result of their sleight of hand, misdirection, and other techniques. They argue that there is no supernatural force involved, but rather, it is all a matter of skill and showmanship. On the other hand, those who believe in the existence of magic argue that it is a real and natural force that is yet to be fully understood and explained by science.
The 3 Biggest Myths About the Salem Witch Trials
In this 1869 oil painting 'Witch Hill (The Salem Martyr)' by Thomas Satterwhite Noble, the young woman posing as a condemned witch was a descendent of one of the hanged victims.
Thomas Satterwhite Noble/New-York Historical Society October 8, 2022 7:00 AM EDTSalem is having a moment. This past July, Massachusetts passed a lot that officially exonerated Elizabeth Johnson, Jr., the last person accused of being a witch. On Oct. 7, an exhibit opened at the New-York Historical Society—offering details on the real history of the Salem witch trials.
And then, of course, there’s Hocus Pocus 2. The sequel to the 1993 cult classic was Disney+’s biggest film premiere yet when it came out on Sep. 30. For the uninitiated, it features Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker reprising their roles as 17th-century witches who find themselves in modern-day Salem.
All of this speaks to a broader public fascination with the Salem witch trials. According to Emerson Baker, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience, 156 people were formally charged with witchcraft—mostly women. Between June and September 1692, 19 people were hanged to death for the crime, and one was pressed to death by a rock. Five more died in prison between May 1692 and May 1693. Additionally, at least 120 were imprisoned for a year or more.
Joseph Glanvill's 1700 wordcuts 'Saducismus Triumphatus' aim to depict a rebuttal to any skepticism about the existence of witchcraft.
Joseph Glanvill/New-York Historical SocietyMore from TIME
But this history is often misunderstood, much like the women who were accused of being witches were misunderstood. While people are not being put on trial for being witches in 2022, Baker sees the shadows of witch hunts in some of our modern-day paranoia—“Salem moments,” as he calls them. “Extremism, scapegoating, racism, hatred, bigotry—as long as we have that, we’re going to have some version of witch hunts,” he says.
Below, Baker outlines three of the biggest myths about the Salem witch trials.
They argue that throughout history, there have been countless accounts of individuals who possess extraordinary abilities and powers that cannot be explained by conventional means. These individuals, often referred to as magicians or wizards, are believed to have access to and control over supernatural forces that enable them to perform seemingly impossible feats. Supporters of the existence of magic point to stories, myths, and legends from different cultures as evidence. They argue that these stories have been passed down through generations, suggesting that there might be some truth to them. Additionally, they point to various modern-day practitioners of magic who claim to have witnessed or experienced supernatural phenomena firsthand. Ultimately, the question of whether magic can exist or not is a deeply philosophical one. It challenges our understanding of the natural world and our place in it. While there may be scientific explanations for many seemingly magical phenomena, there are still unexplained mysteries that leave room for speculation and belief in the existence of magic. Perhaps, until we have a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the universe and its mysteries, the question of magic's existence will remain open-ended..
Reviews for "Magic and Technology: Exploring the Intersection of Science and the Occult."
1. Jenna - 2/5 stars - I found "Can magic exist" to be quite boring. The writing style was dry and lacking in depth, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters or the storyline. Additionally, I didn't feel like the concept of magic was explored in a unique or interesting way. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1/5 stars - Honestly, "Can magic exist" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot was incredibly predictable and seemed to rely on tired clichés. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I also found the dialogue to be poorly written and unrealistic. I kept waiting for something exciting or unexpected to happen, but it never did. I regret spending my time and money on this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed by "Can magic exist". The world-building was weak and inconsistent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of boring dialogue and little action. I was hoping for an exciting and unique take on magic, but instead, it felt like a generic and uninspired fantasy novel. Overall, I felt let down by this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Ben - 3/5 stars - While "Can magic exist" had some interesting ideas, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was overly complicated and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot and understand the motivations of the characters. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies that took away from my enjoyment of the story. While I didn't hate this book, I certainly didn't love it either.