Alibaba Saluja is one of the main characters in the manga series "Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic". He is known for his determination and ambition to change his fate. Alibaba grew up as a slave in the country of Balbadd, working hard to survive. Despite his circumstances, he is intelligent and resourceful, always finding ways to improve his situation. His dreams of making a better life for himself and his people drive him to seek out the legendary dungeon, Amon, in order to claim its treasures and use them to bring prosperity to Balbadd. Throughout his journey in the series, Alibaba faces numerous challenges and obstacles.
A notable example of this, Wegner said, is table-turning, in which people sit around a table to call up spirits. When the table moves, people often believe spirits are responsible, when, in fact, they are turning the table themselves.
Here s why Because thoughts and actions are so commonly intertwined, people often believe their thoughts cause an action, but, quite possibly, a third variable involving other mental processes might trigger these actions. Recent research shows how people can mistakenly claim authorship of occurrences--believing, for example, that they cause a disliked person s headache when they prick a voodoo doll.
Throughout his journey in the series, Alibaba faces numerous challenges and obstacles. He forms a close bond with Aladdin, the main protagonist, and Morgiana, another member of their group. Together, they face dangerous enemies, mystical creatures, and complex political plots.
Who really does that voodoo?
Recent research shows how people can mistakenly claim authorship of occurrences--believing, for example, that they cause a disliked person's headache when they prick a voodoo doll.
By MELISSA DITTMANN
October 2003, Vol 34, No. 9
Print version: page 26
Cite thisDittmann, M. (2003, October 1). Who really does that voodoo? Monitor on Psychology, 34(9). https://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/voodoo
Comment:When you raise your hand to show you are present, how do you know you really did it, Harvard University psychology professor Daniel M. Wegner, PhD, asked the crowd at a session on defining "authorship," or the sense of controlling our own actions, at APA's 2003 Annual Convention.
Understanding the mental processes involved in authorship, Wegner said, may help researchers better understand authorship confusion and how people sometimes lose control of their actions, such as in hypnosis, voodoo and possession by "spirits."
"One of the things that tells us that we did things is that we have the thought of doing it, just before we do it," Wegner said. "You may think 'I thought of doing it in advance and then I found myself doing it, so I must be the one who did it.'" However, intent alone is not a good indicator, Wegner argued.
Here's why: Because thoughts and actions are so commonly intertwined, people often believe their thoughts cause an action, but, quite possibly, a third variable involving other mental processes might trigger these actions. Examples include unconscious thoughts or unconscious thoughts specific to the action, Wegner said.
"The only thing that pops into consciousness are the thoughts and action, and by virtue of that, we have been experiencing this sense that our thoughts cause our actions--we feel that we will what we do," Wegner said.
Exploring authorship confusion
The mental processes that trigger our actions may be more complex, though. Wegner cited several examples of authorship confusion, such as when people "zone out" in the middle of driving or performing other activities. In such cases, they may feel like an action is being done to them, instead of them doing it, he noted. Similarly, people who are hypnotized or engaging in spiritual or occult-related ceremonies often feel that they are not determining--and are also not responsible for--their actions.
A notable example of this, Wegner said, is table-turning, in which people sit around a table to call up spirits. When the table moves, people often believe spirits are responsible, when, in fact, they are turning the table themselves.
To test such authorship confusion, Wegner and Emily Pronin, PhD, conducted an experiment to determine whether people believe they can will harm on others through voodoo--a belief in supernatural powers and evil spirits.
In his study, participants played a "witch doctor" and were instructed to stick pins in a voodoo doll in the presence of another person who played a "victim." Victims were instructed to arrive late to the experiment and behave impolitely to cause the witch doctors to dislike them. After the voodoo ceremony, the victims feigned a headache.
As a result, the witch doctors often claimed authorship of the victims' headaches. "Apparently having evil thoughts about a person makes it more likely that we will feel responsible for harm to that person," Wegner said.
Wegner said the findings extend to people's reactions in more common, everyday situations. For example, people often feel guilty if they think bad thoughts about a person just before something bad happens to that person, he said. Similarly, when someone hopes for the best and it actually works out that way, the person often feels a sense of authorship over those actions.
"When we feel we did something, maybe that feeling is a construction or an illusion," Wegner said. "All we have to do to experience a bit of authorship is to think about an event before it happens."
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Alibaba's character arc in the series focuses on his growth as a leader and his struggle with the weight of responsibility. He learns important lessons about the consequences of his actions and the true meaning of strength. One of the key aspects of Alibaba's character is his Djinn Equip ability. Djinn are ethereal beings that grant their human masters immense power and abilities. Alibaba forms a contract with the Djinn Amon, allowing him to tap into its power and use it to fight. This ability not only helps him overcome powerful enemies but also showcases his determination and willpower. Throughout the series, Alibaba faces many internal conflicts as he questions his motives and the consequences of his actions. He must confront his past and come to terms with the decisions he has made that have affected the lives of those around him. Overall, Alibaba Saluja is a complex and compelling character in "Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic". His journey from a humble slave to a powerful leader showcases themes of friendship, determination, and the pursuit of one's dreams..
Reviews for "The Significance of Alibaba's Swordplay in Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic"
1. Jennifer - 2/5
I found Alibaba to be one of the weakest characters in "Magi the labyrinth of magic." He lacked depth and development compared to the other characters. He seemed to rely too much on Aladdin and Morgiana to get him out of trouble, and it made him come across as weak and helpless. Additionally, his constant whining and self-doubt got old very quickly. I was hoping to see him grow and become a more capable character, but that never really happened. Overall, I was disappointed with Alibaba's character arc and felt that he brought down the overall quality of the series.
2. Mark - 3/5
While I didn't hate Alibaba as a character in "Magi the labyrinth of magic," I did find him to be rather underwhelming. He had potential to be a strong, complex character, but the writing and development didn't really do him justice. His motivations and actions often felt inconsistent, and it was hard to fully connect with his character. I also found his constant indecisiveness frustrating, as it made it difficult for me to root for him. Overall, I think Alibaba had potential, but he fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2/5
Alibaba was one of the weakest links in "Magi the labyrinth of magic" for me. He lacked a strong presence and often felt overshadowed by the other characters. His constant self-doubt and lack of confidence made it hard for me to fully invest in his story. He seemed to rely too heavily on Aladdin and Morgiana to carry him, and it made him come across as weak and unreliable. I was hoping for more development and growth from him, but it never really happened. Overall, I found Alibaba to be a forgettable character in an otherwise enjoyable series.