• MindTraveller@lemmy.ca
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    5 months ago

    Yeah, I’m using a different definition of trick in order to provoke that person to realise they’re using an inappropriate definition to this situation.

    Here, I’ll show you a magic trick that involves no deception:

    This is a magic pill that can cure sore throats. Physically, it’s an inert sugar pill with no special chemical properties, other than the ability to revive hypoglycemiacs. But I have used the placebo effect to imbue it with the magical belief that it will make you better, and when you take it, your body will work overdrive to fix your sore throat because of your belief. This effect will work regardless of whether you know that it’s a placebo. Countless scientific studies have established the true existence of the placebo effect and its power. Now I’m going to play some alternative music and wave a magic wand over it to make the placebo magic stronger.