# Cosentino's hypnotized levitation trick **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2013, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335 "2013-11-20T11:13:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/81 "2013-11-21T23:54:04Z")
Crazy thread… maybe someone needs to say it in simple terms… No one can levitate for real and no one can teleport for real and it’s silly to discuss what you think you saw if you’re going to ignore those two simple facts. It doesn’t matter how convincing it was; “real” levitation and “real” teleportation simply don’t exist and trying to find an explanation where they could be possible is foolish. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/82 "2013-11-22T01:38:22Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > JohnClay, can I ask you a question? Are you, personally, a strong believer in the power of hypnotism, as commonly presented as entertainment on stage and screen? Would you consider the topic of hypnotism somewhat important to you? I think people can be “suggestible” more than they normally would when they are in a hypnotic trance. Hypnotism isn’t really important to me. I’m a bit interested in it but I haven’t tried learning a lot about it. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/83 "2013-11-22T01:40:00Z")
> [@Ornery\_Bob](#): > > Crazy thread… maybe someone needs to say it in simple terms… > > No one can levitate for real and no one can teleport for real and it’s silly to discuss what you think you saw if you’re going to ignore those two simple facts. > > It doesn’t matter how convincing it was; “real” levitation and “real” teleportation simply don’t exist and trying to find an explanation where they could be possible is foolish. Well I’ve changed my opinion since the original post partly due to Copperfield being able to do a trick that is probably superior. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/84 "2013-11-22T01:43:21Z")
> [@digs](#): > > So, you believe him when he says this? That he’ll just scrap the entire act? (When he could ensure it’ll work every time with a trained assistant) My point is all of those fan assistants could have been trained! It was days between when he chose them and when they were on stage! > [@](#): > > This is fascinating. Do you teach this, or just use it yourself? Has it worked? If you are interested in “speed seduction” look up Ross Jeffries on youtube. Notice how he’s an old man yet he is able to attract a lot of gorgeous young women. He does obvious hypnosis as well as using hypnotic/NLP techniques without the woman being explicitly aware. Check out one of this first books: > **[How to Get the Women You Desire into Bed: Jefferies, Ross: 9780963037909: Books...](https://www.amazon.ca/How-Get-Women-Desire-into/dp/0963037900)** > > How to Get the Women You Desire into Bed: Jefferies, Ross: 9780963037909: Books - Amazon.ca Notice he had glasses… BTW I’ve never tried any of it. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/85 "2013-11-22T02:16:17Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > $199??? > Damn, the price was much lower back when we bought it from the back of a comic book. X-Ray Vision Glasses are a lot more expensive now, too. [http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/jeremy-scott-x-ray-vision-sunglasses-item-10444084.aspx?gclid=CN76tYWp97oCFaTm7AodT34Atw&country=216](http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/jeremy-scott-x-ray-vision-sunglasses-item-10444084.aspx?gclid=CN76tYWp97oCFaTm7AodT34Atw&country=216) ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/86 "2013-11-22T04:20:02Z")
BTW what I currently think is this: The 400 fans who applied to be an assistant was narrowed down to 4 many days before the performance. He first interviewed with a video call. He is very good at mentalism so he could see by their body language, etc, if they are genuine huge fans. (The application videos would also give clues to this) Then during the days or weeks leading up to the performance he could have explained to one or all of the assistant applicants how to be an assistant and perform the trick. He could have gotten them to sign a non-disclosure agreement first but he should be able to tell who would be likely to be trustworthy. The 4 potential assistants could have been paid as well and also asked to do acting if necessary. I think that is a better explanation than having an assistant submit a youtube video and then choose them, etc. There is no real difference - in the end they could still be trained and possibly paid assistants. It’s just that this way there is no chance that there could be bad publicity if the public found out that an actor was involved from the start. BTW during the phonecalls the magician could have asked them if they had any acting experience so the 4 applicants could also be actors but this way the application process isn’t a scam. BTW having **one** stooge application in there during a process that could take months could cause problems… what if leading up to the performance they can’t perform? Normally there would be back-up assistants. I’m saying that there could be 4 fan assistants - so 3 that are backups… So I’m saying trained assistants that are possibly paid and possibly with acting experience would still be involved - its just that the selection process happened closer to the performance than all the way before the video applications. Also if he was looking for a stooge he might need to advertise… so what’s the difference between a secret search for a stooge and a public search for an assistant? Well it is easier for me to believe that that second search never happened… (the secret search for an assistant before the public search). For the public search he had 400 people to choose from. In a secret search he might have far less to choose from and remember not just anyone would do. They’d need to be very trustworthy and be good actors. I think it is very close-minded to insist that my current explanation isn’t possible. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/87 "2013-11-22T04:25:01Z")
I think that could be the reason why there were 4 on stage - that way there were 3 backups. Otherwise the single winner would have been chosen and if anything goes wrong on stage there is no backup. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/88 "2013-11-22T04:28:16Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It’s not a trick, it’s an illusion. A trick is something a whore does for money. Or cocaine. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/89 "2013-11-22T04:31:46Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > …Maybe a plant, maybe not. If the trick depends on the box being hollow, then you can bet your bottom dollar the audience member wasn’t chosen randomly… When I was talking about a box being solid I meant whether the frame of the box was solid or whether it had a secret door. It isn’t hard to have a secret door that can’t be spotted by a general member of the public within 2-3 seconds… he just banged the box all around and the side where the door would be would only be checked very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/90 "2013-11-22T04:34:57Z")
BTW with 3 backups if the first choice wasn’t behaving herself the magician could just say she got out of her hypnotic trance and he needed to use someone else. But as I explained those fan assistants should be almost as reliable as regular assistants. Also it wouldn’t take much skill at all… they’d just relax and let the “levitation” happen and then run to the spot outside to be “teleported”. So since no major talent is involved I don’t think people should insist that there was a second secret application process for assistants. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/91 "2013-11-22T04:56:42Z")
This thread is an absolute rabbit hole of credulity: to believe that someone could be so overly credulous stretches credulity to similar lengths. It’s credulity all the way down! ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/92 "2013-11-22T05:10:03Z")
I’m not convinced that hypnotism works at all. If it does work it certainly doesn’t work the way the public generally assumes it does. I believe all stage hypnotism is BS. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/93 "2013-11-22T05:36:35Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > I’m not convinced that hypnotism works at all. Do you think it is equally as unscientific as astrology? (i.e. it doesn’t work at all) > [@](#): > > If it does work it certainly doesn’t work the way the public generally assumes it does. I believe all stage hypnotism is BS. He didn’t do stage hypnosis. He didn’t get them to act crazily or make onions apparently taste like apples, etc. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/94 "2013-11-22T05:38:36Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > This thread is an absolute rabbit hole of credulity: to believe that someone could be so overly credulous stretches credulity to similar lengths. > > It’s credulity all the way down! I agree that I was initially that way - but what problems do you have with my current opinion on it? The alternative was that there was a secret second search for an assistant and that he was relying on one trained assistant rather than four trained assistants. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/95 "2013-11-22T05:41:43Z")
> [@Ornery\_Bob](#): > > Crazy thread… maybe someone needs to say it in simple terms… > > No one can levitate for real and no one can teleport for real and it’s silly to discuss what you think you saw if you’re going to ignore those two simple facts. > > It doesn’t matter how convincing it was; “real” levitation and “real” teleportation simply don’t exist and trying to find an explanation where they could be possible is foolish. Why are dopers so cynical? Cosentino is annoying ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/96 "2013-11-22T07:23:54Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > Do you think it is equally as unscientific as astrology? (i.e. it doesn’t work at all) Pretty much. I don’t believe a person can be made to do something that they are unaware they are doing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/97 "2013-11-22T10:51:35Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Pretty much. I don’t believe a person can be made to do something that they are unaware they are doing. This is a little off topic but what about “mirroring”? e.g. when people have a rapport with someone else they apparently subconscious mirror a lot of aspects of the other person - e.g. “gestures, movements, body language, muscle tensions, expressions, tones, eye movements, breathing, tempo, accent, attitude, choice of words or metaphors, and other aspects of communication” > **[Mirroring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirroring_%28psychology%29)** > > Mirroring is the behavior in which one person subconsciously imitates the gesture, speech pattern, or attitude of another. Mirroring often occurs in social situations, particularly in the company of close friends or family, often going unnoticed by both parties. The concept often affects other individuals' notions about the individual that is exhibiting mirroring behaviors, which can lead to the individual building rapport with others. > Mirroring is distinct from conscious imitation under the pre... So by gaining rapport with someone you can “make” a person do something (mirroring) that they aren’t fully aware of. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/98 "2013-11-22T13:16:13Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Why are dopers so cynical? Credulity is not a virtue. Anyone in Australia? Quick, go pull a quarter outa **JohnClay** ’s ear. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/99 "2013-11-22T16:55:58Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > I agree that I was initially that way - but what problems do you have with my current opinion on it? The alternative was that there was a secret second search for an assistant and that he was relying on one trained assistant rather than four trained assistants. What do you mean “search”? It ain’t hard to recruit an assistant, you don’t need to go on a lengthy interview process and the training you need is minimal. You don’t need Meryl Streep, you just need one of your stagehands to act the part of an audience member. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335/100 "2013-11-22T17:07:35Z")
> [@JohnClay](#): > > Well it is easier for me to believe that that second search never happened… (the secret search for an assistant before the public search). We understand that. However, your belief is contrary to pretty much everyone else’s common sense. > [@](#): > > I think it is very close-minded to insist that my current explanation isn’t possible. No one has said that it’s not possible. It’s just that it’s very unlikely considering it opens the magician to much greater risk of embarrassment, exposure, and failure for no benefit. Good magicians don’t do that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosentinos-hypnotized-levitation-trick/674335.md?page=6)