What exactly IS magic?

[Boneasse]

'Lo all!

So I was sitting on the toilet earlier (as one does) reading a book (it's a mandatory tradition, don't ask), and I thought:

When we read books, watch movies or play games, magic has often already been defined on our behalf; sometimes an inate ability to perform certain deeds/abilities using your "inner power", or as something bestowed upon that 'world' by the Gods, etc.

So I was curious about your take on this: To you, what exactly is magic?

Is life, magic?

Is love, magic?

Is what we often refer to as magic, magic? (Illusionism and mind-manipulation)

Is FRIENDSHIP, magic?

It's a very philosophical question, I'm sure, but I'm genuinely curious as to what you would define as being magic, or, magical.

 

[Terminate421]

Magic is using one's life force as an energy source, always regenerating after use.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Magic is unexplained science! XD

Although

Magic is using one's life force as an energy source, always regenerating after use.

I rather like this explanation.

 

[Realitycrash]

Magic is unexplained science! XD

Although

Magic is using one's life force as an energy source, always regenerating after use.

I rather like this explanation.

Magic is anything that we don't understand/can't explain with our current science. When we can, it stops being magic and starts being science.

So yeah, pretty much what he said.

 

[II2]

It might look strange, but you won't get a better balance of comprehensible vs comprehensive than the end of Alan Moore's Promethea, seen below

Spoiler: Look

 

[Erttheking]

To quote Arthur C. Clarke, any significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Take from that what you will.

 

[JesterRaiin]

To you, what exactly is magic?

The ability to influence/change/shape reality with the power of mind supported by psychodrama and, in some cases, additional equipment.

Also : f*ck "magicka", "magicks" and similar terms. I f*cking despise them.

 

[manic_depressive13]

Magic in fiction is the ability to manipulate the external with the power of your will. Magic in real life doesn't exist. Philosophy 101.

 

[uneek]

It's the ability to do things that are scientifically impossible. That's it.

What it's not however is something that has rules, instructions, or limits depending on how much "energy" it has. I don't know why so many fantasy stories don't get that.

 

[Phasmal]

Also : f*ck "magicka", "magicks" and similar terms. I f*cking despise them.

This. I dont understand why magic is extra magic if it has a K on the end.

For me magic is awesome in fiction and nothing but a bunch of annoying people looking at coincidences in real life.

Performance magic, and magic acts however, are really cool tricks.

 

[JesterRaiin]

It's the ability to do things that are scientifically impossible. That's it.

You may want to work on that definition a little, sir.
For example : quantum physics allows some states and events that are impossible in conventional physics. So the quantum physics is magic when perceived from the point of view of the other one.

Also : f*ck "magicka", "magicks" and similar terms. I f*cking despise them.

This. I dont understand why magic is extra magic if it has a K on the end.

This originates from Aleister Crowley's take on "magic" as it was understood in his times.
He couldn't accept the state "magic" was these days and to distance from mistakes of past he coined the term "magick". Well, actually it existed prior to Crowley, but he elevated it to "mainstream" state so to say.

Now, left is right, up is down, black is white and "Magick" is overused by weirdos and morons that think they're magicians because they registered an account on some UltimateChaosMagick.com forum. :|

Hmmm...
Disregard that. I'm all out of beer and i'm becoming grumpier with every second. :|

 

[Aidinthel]

Is FRIENDSHIP, magic?

I entered this thread specifically to make that joke, only to find that the OP beat me to it. *sigh*

On-topic, I suppose I'd define magic as any energy transfer or manipulation not explainable through current scientific knowledge.

 

[oZode]

Magic is a plot device!

-How did that knight somehow lop off the head of the headless horseman?

MAGIC!

-Why does the sun rise?

MAGIC!

-Where do babies come from?

MAGIC!

And so on.

 

[Scarim Coral]

To me magic is when a science like thing (e.g. chemical reaction) but the scientific explaination to the cause of it cannot be explain by human logic so far.