Las Vegas is known for its grand entertainment and dazzling shows, and one act that has captivated audiences for decades is the magic carpet performance by Fred. Fred, a master illusionist and magician, has been performing his awe-inspiring trick with a flying carpet for over 20 years. Fred's magic carpet act starts with the spectators witnessing an ordinary carpet laid on the stage. As the music begins, Fred introduces himself and proceeds to enchant the carpet with his magical abilities. With a few waves of his wand and some mysterious incantations, the once stationary carpet begins to levitate in the air. The audience gasps in amazement as Fred gracefully floats above the ground, effortlessly maneuvering the enchanted carpet.
The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous fourteenth-century work of Christian mysticism, which teaches that one can only approach God through unknowing, without reference to the intellect.
By scientism, I mean the notion that empirical science is the most reliable worldview, or that the scientific method is the only way to arrive at truth. If we, as rational beings, are not in control of our minds, it wasn t that far of a leap to imagine that some mysterious force internal or external must be influencing our actions.
The audience gasps in amazement as Fred gracefully floats above the ground, effortlessly maneuvering the enchanted carpet. The magic carpet allows Fred to perform astonishing aerial acrobatics and stunts, adding an extra layer of excitement to his act. He spins, flips, and glides through the air, astonishing the audience with his agility and control.
When Psychoanalysts Believed in Magic
Sigmund Freud told Carl Jung it was important to keep sexuality at the center of the human psyche, rather than anything spiritualist.
Group photo in front of Clark University: Front row: Sigmund Freud, G. Stanley Hall, C. G. Jung; Back row: Abraham A. Brill, Ernest Jones, Sándor Ferenczi.
January 22, 2019 February 24, 2020 3 minutes The icon indicates free access to the linked research on JSTOR.The discipline of psychoanalysis has always struggled to define itself as truly scientific. As psychologist and historian Júlia Gyimesi writes, something that made this difficult from the get-go was the deep interest many early Freudians had in the occult.
The psychoanalytic view that people are subject to drives hidden from the conscious mind had a natural connection with spiritualists’ ideas. If we, as rational beings, are not in control of our minds, it wasn’t that far of a leap to imagine that some mysterious force—internal or external—must be influencing our actions.
Despite his skepticism about supernatural phenomena, Freud himself was also interested in the occult.
So it may not be surprising that a number of early Freudians attempted to study spiritualists’ claims of telepathy and other supposed psychic phenomena. For example, Gyimesi writes, Sándor Ferenczi, Freud’s close collaborator and founder of the Budapest School of psychoanalysis, conducted experiments with mediums and clairvoyants. Ferenczi argued that thought-transference was common among his patients. In a 1910 letter to Freud, he wrote “I am reading my patients’ thoughts (in my free associations) … This method will be suitable to catch the patient’s most active complexes at work.”
Freud, always deeply worried about the reputation of psychoanalysis, warned Ferenczi that he was “throwing a bomb into the psychoanalytic edifice.” But, despite his skepticism about supernatural phenomena, Freud himself was also interested in the occult. In a 1921 letter, he wrote:
I am not one of those who dismiss a priori the study of so-called occult psychic phenomena as unscientific, discreditable or even as dangerous. If I were at the beginning rather than at the end of a scientific career, as I am today, I might possibly choose just this field of research, in spite of all difficulties.
The most famous advocate for an expansion of psychoanalytic theory into the realm of the occult was Freud’s favorite disciple, Carl Jung. Jung’s interest in the supernatural developed before he met Freud; several members of his mother’s family claimed supernatural abilities. In his professional lectures, Jung critiqued purely materialist thinking as “intellectual death.” He argued for the existence of an immortal soul, with a presence outside space and time. Gyimesi writes that Jung’s theory “desexualized the motivational basis of psychoanalysis and posited an obscure, scarcely rational life-force at the center of the human psyche.”
This horrified Freud. Jung later recalled a conversation in which Freud asked him to pledge never to abandon the sexual theory. “You see we must make a dogma of it, an unshakable bulwark,” Jung recalled Freud saying. Jung wrote that, “In some astonishment I asked him, ‘A bulwark—against what?’ To which he replied, ‘Against the black tide of mud’—and here he hesitated for a moment, then added, ‘of occultism.’”
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By highlighting sex, Gyimesi writes, Freud insisted on the unconscious as a biological phenomenon, closing off interpretations based in mental states that transcended the individual mind.
Today, of course, many of us consider Freud’s ideas about sexuality pseudoscientific, even as we take for granted that our behavior is often motivated by unconscious drives of some sort.
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Fred's skill and showmanship are evident as he seamlessly incorporates magic tricks and illusions into his mesmerizing performance. The magic carpet act reaches its climax when Fred invites a member of the audience to join him on the carpet. With a wave of his hand, Fred makes the chosen spectator float alongside him, creating a truly magical and unforgettable moment. The chosen participant often expresses a mix of fear and exhilaration as they experience the sensation of flying on a magic carpet. Fred's magic carpet act is a favorite among Las Vegas tourists and locals alike. His show has been featured in numerous television programs and has received rave reviews from critics. Fred's seamless blend of illusion, acrobatics, and showmanship creates a truly immersive experience that leaves audiences in awe. In addition to his magical talents, Fred is also known for his charismatic stage presence and ability to connect with the audience. He effortlessly engages spectators and takes them on a journey filled with wonder and excitement. Fred's passion for magic is evident in every performance, and his dedication to his craft shines through in the flawless execution of his magic carpet act. Las Vegas and the magic carpet act performed by Fred have become almost synonymous with each other. The act has become an iconic representation of the city's entertainment scene, showcasing the innovation and spectacle that Las Vegas is known for. Fred's magic carpet act continues to draw crowds year after year, captivating audiences with its combination of mystery, illusion, and breathtaking stunts. Overall, Fred's magic carpet act is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Las Vegas. It embodies the spirit of the city's entertainment industry and showcases the incredible talent and creativity of performers like Fred. His ability to make the impossible seem possible leaves audiences with a sense of wonder and reminds them of the magic that exists in the world..
Reviews for "From Doves to Levitation: Inside the Repertoire of Las Vegas Magician Magic Carpet Fred"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Las Vegas Magic Carpet Fred". The plot was confusing and the characters felt shallow and underdeveloped. The special effects were lacking, and overall, the movie failed to captivate my attention. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for an enjoyable and well-made movie experience.
2. John - 1 star
"Las Vegas Magic Carpet Fred" was a complete waste of time. The storyline was predictable and unoriginal, and the acting was subpar at best. The attempts at humor fell flat, and I found myself cringing throughout the entire film. Save yourself the money and avoid this movie at all costs.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Las Vegas Magic Carpet Fred", but unfortunately, it failed to meet expectations. The plot was filled with inconsistencies and far-fetched situations that made it hard to stay engaged. The pacing was off, and the characters lacked depth, resulting in a film that felt shallow and forgettable. I wouldn't bother watching this movie unless you have nothing better to do.
4. Mike - 2 stars
I was really excited to see "Las Vegas Magic Carpet Fred", but it left me feeling disappointed. The storyline had potential but was poorly executed, leaving gaps in the plot that were never fully explained. The acting was mediocre, and the jokes fell flat. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on.