# Is David Blaine asking to be abused? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 15, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779 "2003-09-15T18:59:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/61 "2003-09-16T21:16:30Z")
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**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/62 "2003-09-16T22:40:09Z")
I’m with the **suranyi** and **DocCathode** -type perspectives. At this point, I suspect it’s less a feat of endurance as it is a feat of deception. I hope he’s snapped tucking into fish and chips because _then_ the gloves really come off! I wonder how well lit this location is at, say, 4.00am ? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/63 "2003-09-16T22:40:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > \*\*Perhaps, but rude is still rude, IMHO. > > Esprix \*\* Ah, but sometimes “rude” is also “hilarious”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/64 "2003-09-17T07:27:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by suranyi \* > **After all, David Blaine was the one who was supposedly encased in a block of ice for some long period. It’s pretty clear that he was not actually in the ice for the whole period.** I’ve not heard this accusation before - do you have a cite? Grim ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/65 "2003-09-17T08:02:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Marley23, It’s good to see that I’m not the only one reminded of _The Hunger Artist_. > > Futile Gesture, starvation is an art when Franz Kafka is the one writing the stunt. Although his hunger artist isn’t performing a trick. He sits in an open cage at ground level. He encourages people to search the cage anytime. Danke schoen, Doc. I do think one or two news articles have made the same allusion. Anyway, what Kafka wrote is a fascinating, twisted fairytale. What Blaine’s doing is stupid and almost mundane. If people weren’t throwing food at him and trying to cut his water line, nobody would give half a damn. Here’s why, in my opinion: he’s not in any danger. None. He wouldn’t be engaging in this stunt in public if he hadn’t practised and wasn’t sure he could do it, otherwise he’d humiliate himself (more). And even if he peters out at, say, Day 30, all that happens is someone gets him out of the box and takes him to a hospital. Boring! There’s zero drama in any of it! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/66 "2003-09-17T08:05:18Z")
Oh, and **grimpixie** , I think it was one of the “Secrets of Magic” special that showed how Blaine could’ve periodically switched places with a double, and eaten, relaxed and slept in comfort during the stunt. Not sure if that’s really what happened, but that was their version. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/67 "2003-09-17T08:15:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\*Oh, and **grimpixie** , I think it was one of the “Secrets of Magic” special that showed how Blaine could’ve periodically switched places with a double, and eaten, relaxed and slept in comfort during the stunt. Not sure if that’s really what happened, but that was their version. \*\* “could’ve” is a long way from “pretty clear” Grim ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/68 "2003-09-17T08:19:41Z")
> [@](#): > > “could’ve” is a long way from “pretty clear” That’s the only evidence I know of personally; **suranyi** could be aware of other things that I’m not. > [@](#): > > _Adding to my earlier post_ > Here’s why, in my opinion: he’s not in any danger. None. He wouldn’t be engaging in this stunt in public if he hadn’t practised and wasn’t sure he could do it, otherwise he’d humiliate himself (more). And even if he peters out at, say, Day 30, all that happens is someone gets him out of the box and takes him to a hospital. Boring! There’s zero drama in any of it! Also, he’s getting $7 million for it. He loses nothing, does nothing exciting, and will be very handsomely rewarded. Gee, I wonder why people are picking on him… ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/69 "2003-09-17T12:31:42Z")
It’s rude? That’s the only opposition you can muster? Well, at least we’ve improved from it being the equivalent of rape, I suppose. I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s rude. I think that Blaine’s assault on my sence of decency is rude – how do you like _them_ apples. And I doubt he gives a rat’s ass about that either. Rudeness never killed anyone. Besides which: of course it’s bloody rude. That’s the point. And that’s what London is – a whole city of rude. We love it that way. If you don’t then don’t suspend yourself in a little box for 44 days nibbling at your own accumulating nob cheese. pan ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/70 "2003-09-17T12:49:09Z")
Well I seem to be in a a minority of one here: I’ve been to see him. It’s a fascinating spectacle. Not the fat yank in the box - seen one seen 'em all, but the crowd. I got forced to go by the kids (think bart and lisa with english accents), and was dreading it, but it’s an alfresco party. It’s full of people in various stages of “refreshment” . The crowd are what I would go to see. Incidentally I would throw things at him too, just for being so far up himself. It’s an old english tradition to bait the pompous. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/71 "2003-09-17T13:03:34Z")
[Taking rudeness to new levels](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3112430.stm) - and getting arrested for it… Grim ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/72 "2003-09-17T17:47:43Z")
I think David Blaine’s street magic is amazing and entertaining. Not that it counts for anything of course, but my opinion of him used to be quite high. Then I heard about his interview with Eammon Holmes (soppy British TV presenter). I went and watched the interview on the program’s website (it doesn’t seem to be working [anymore](http://www.gmtv.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1014#)). Now THAT was rude. Blaine studiously ignored every question Holmes posed to him for about five minutes. Just sat there looking smug, not saying a word. All of a sudden he held up his palm, on which was drawn an eye. Holmes asked what it was for. Blaine grunted “Repelling Evil”. That was the end of the interview. If a celebrity agrees to an interview, whether they’re being paid for it or not, it is very rude just to sit there and say nothing. The interview was live so Blaine made Holmes (who admittedly is a bit of a muffin) uncomfortable and made him look like a fool on national TV. As for pestering him in his silly box, I am all for it and I have participated in it. However, I feel, and many other people feel, that trying to cut his water supply was going too far. I think it all comes down to the fact that he’s pretending that the whole box thing is some kind of personal spiritual experience, while at the same time claiming that it’s art. If it was personal he could do it in his bedroom. If it was art he wouldn’t be hanging from a butt ugly crane, spoiling the London scenery and lobbing nappies at the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/73 "2003-09-17T17:52:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kabbes \* > > It’s rude? That’s the only opposition you can muster? … > > I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s rude. I think that Blaine’s assault on my sence of decency is rude – how do you like _them_ apples. And that’s the only justification _you_ can muster? :rolleyes: This proud rudeness makes me never want to visit the UK. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/74 "2003-09-17T18:03:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > \*\*And that’s the only justification _you_ can muster? :rolleyes: > > This proud rudeness makes me never want to visit the UK. \*\* I’m afraid that, since a ribald sense of humour is a visa requirement, you wouldn’t be allowed in anyway. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/75 "2003-09-17T18:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\*“could’ve” is a long way from “pretty clear” > > Grim \*\* All right, I’ll modify my remarks in this way: There was a way for Blaine to not have been inside that block of ice for the whole period. So I do not believe Blaine was inside that block of ice. Why should he be, when as a competent magician he’s perfectly capable of making us THINK he’s there? I don’t have proof, but I do know magicians, and they’re sure it was just a trick, like everything else he does. After all, when you go see David Copperfield, do you think he REALLY makes a woman disappear? Ed ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/76 "2003-09-17T18:27:53Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **jjimm** _ > > I’m afraid that, since a ribald sense of humour is a visa requirement, you wouldn’t be allowed in anyway. Oh, I have a sense of humor. I even have a ribald sense of humor. I can handle mockery, and even some taunting, but I draw the line at physical assault (be it his personage or his temporary home). It’s an ugly mob mentality that you can even attempt to justify it, and I don’t care for it. My apologies if that makes me sound like a prudish American, but there it is (and if I’m wrong, and this is what he planned all along, well then I guess the joke’s on me). Esprix ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/77 "2003-09-17T19:45:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\*[Taking rudeness to new levels](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3112430.stm) - and getting arrested for it… > > Grim \*\* Stupid, stupid, stupid! A moment’s thought shows the proper way to cut the water line. A frog crotch arrow. As any D&D player or SCAdian knows, different arrowheads were used for different purposes. There were heads for maximum distance, for penetration in armor or stone walls, to cause more damage if pulled out, for safety in target practice, and heads for cutting ropes. Frog crotch arrows were tipped with a U-shaped head for catching and cutting lines on masts. With some preparation, a person could use bow and arrows to quickly sever the water tube from the ground. With a little preparation, the arrows could be fashioned to cut the tube but pose no threat if they landed among the crowd. Back To The OP- I realized that the question of whether Blaine deserves this can be answered with another question- WWTDD?-What would the Doctor do? Thankfully, the Delaware valley has one of the few PBS stations still showing Doctor Who. Years of viewing have made clear the answer to this question. The Doctor would reminisce about his friendship with Erich Weiss, more popularly known as Harry Houdini. He would then explain, and prove, just how Blaine is faking it. Finally, he would smile brightly and offer David a jelly baby. Beating drums, throwing food, and stripping, don’t have the same flare. But, these folks aren’t TimeLords. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/78 "2003-09-17T20:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **DocCathode** _ > > WWTDD?-What would the Doctor do? And at some pivotal moment the Master would show up and threaten to shrink Blaine to the size of a child’s toy, which the Doctor would have to stop, because he knew that Blaine would give the $7M to the poor, which would in turn help a young orphan become the inventor of FTL space travel… … or something. 😃 Esprix ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/79 "2003-09-17T20:22:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > **Oh, I have a sense of humor. I even have a ribald sense of humor. I can handle mockery, and even some taunting, but I draw the line at physical assault (be it his personage or his temporary home).** A few eggs thrown doesn’t constitute physical assault in my book. The guy who tried to cut the water lines: I agree that’s phsical assault, and it’s stupid and dangerous; he’s been charged for it, and I’m pleased he has. But how about the whole atmosphere of mockery - are we allowed to do that? Or in fact, to [take the piss](http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tak2.htm), which is a very old English custom: > [@](#): > > …to take the piss is to deflate somebody, to disabuse them of their mistaken belief that they are special. (A friend of mine from Chicago who was studying in Oxford was so fascinated with this habit that he wrote his thesis on it!) ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779/80 "2003-09-17T21:22:18Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > [@](#): > > But how about the whole atmosphere of mockery - are we allowed to do that? Or in fact, to [take the piss](http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tak2.htm), which is a very old English custom… You’re obviously _allowed_ to do all of those things, as no one has been stopped from doing so. And I’m in no position to tell you what you can or cannot do. I do not have to agree with it, however. Esprix [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-blaine-asking-to-be-abused/201779.md?page=5)