'Only those of us who recognize the magic show as
a magic show can hope to see the illusions for what they are.'
By James Corbett: Magic is the ability to make someone believe something that isn't true. It follows, then, that most great magicians are keen observers of human psychology and that magic routines are, at base, a skillfully arranged set of techniques for preying on our cognitive biases.
As impressive as the rabbit-from-hat illusions and the sleight-of-hand deceptions of the masters of stagecraft can be, however, these parlor tricks pale in comparison to the societal manipulations that are conducted by the masters of statecraft every day.
Case in point: martial law. I have long said that when martial law actually comes to the "free and democratic" West, people will be cheering it on.