David Blaine!
 

Hi
Has anyone been to see the latest tourist attraction in London - David Blaine suspended in a clear box (swaying in the wind) surviving on water only for 44 days. I have SOOOO many questions! Can you get a good view of him from the ground?

Apparently so - but it depends how many eggs have been thrown at the box overnight.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/3100550.stm

You can get a good view of him in the box from the ground as it's only about 30 feet up in the air. I was amazed at how many people were there when I passed, given that once you are there, there's not really a lot to do.

I think they may have tightened security this week (he went in last Friday) since people have been throwing eggs and golf balls at the box. I don't know if that's made it harder to get a good view.

The British are poking fun at this arrogant phoney. The newspapers have had a brilliant time ridiculing him (and showing photos of his friend Harmony passing him something through the box). Perhaps London and the UK was not the best place to choose for this stunt as the British are very sceptical anyway and this man just gives us the excuse of something to laugh at and then forget about.
His street magic is fun and he performs it well, but that's all it is - illusions, and most are easily explained anyway.

I heard somewhere that people would gather around his box and beat on drums while he tried to sleep! I'm glad the British can see through this stunt. When he encased himself in ice in NYC, people stood around mesmerized by what he was doing.

My husband was soooo disappointed when he saw the size of the box on TV. He was expecting David Blaine to hang upside down in a coffin! Maybe next time.

Well, I thought I was the only one who was uneasy about this stunt!! It reminds me of Tudor times in England when traitors and criminals were hung up to be gawped at. I hear that people have been taking pot shots at the 'cage' with golf balls. It certainly seems to be pulling the crowds though, but maybe they are locals rather than tourists?

Anyone watch the TV show South Park? They skewered Blaine beautifully a while back.

They also totally destroyed Crossing Over "psychic" John Edwards.

Respect mah authoritay!

You can see him in his box clearly from the River Thames between Tower Bridge and the new mayor's office. I passed three times last weekend and was surprised by the size of the crowd of spectators. The box is not far above the ground and is very easy to see. I think people are fascinated by the practical details of what he does and how he goes to the toilet. Everyone I've spoken to thinks he's mad, but presumably it'll earn him lots of money.

I must say that if I was in London I'd be tempted to throw an egg myself! This guy drives me nuts! Does anyone really think he's going to be in a box for that long? They've already debunked his other tricks by showing how they sneak body doubles in and out!

You say he's sneaked body doubles in.

The whole point of these exercises are to enchance his already very spiritual take on life, not to defraud, or deceive anyone - he genuinely wants to be the one staying the 44 days. Furthermore, he is filmed twenty four hours a day and there are always people below his perspex box.

Perhaps he is different in wanting to accomplish this feat, but don't suggest it won't be a genuine attempt.

Re: <i>They've already debunked his other tricks by showing how they sneak body doubles in and out!</i>

Who are &quot;they&quot;, swalter, and can you direct us to some authoritative source where we can read how &quot;they&quot; debunked Blaine's feats/stunts? Thanks.

Actually, it was on last night, I believe Bravo, the show was on debunking magic tricks and it showed how when he was packed in ice, a cleaning crew came once a day to spray off the box and at that time the bottom released and he switched with a body double. If it wasn't Bravo, it might have been FX.

I read on coasttocoastam.com several months ago how David Blaine used trick photography to levitate. Darn, I can't find it now! It was really interresting!

Google results for: &quot;david blaine&quot; +&quot;body doubles&quot; +debunk - &quot;did not match any documents&quot;

Google results for: &quot;david blaine&quot; +&quot;body doubles&quot; brought up only this comment on a website: &quot;(<i>Apparently</i> he uses body doubles and hidden food supplies when pretending to be trapped in ice, although the underground burial was completely genuine)&quot;

Wow here!! He may not be able to remove himself from the box, but he's refused to let his &quot;water&quot; supply be checked to deny that it may include nutrients and glucose. All the commentators have agreed that the only &quot;survival&quot; aspect of the stunt is the isolation.
As for the levitation, you notice that Blaine does not show it on his street magic programme, but only shows the audience reaction. This is easily achieved by placing yourself about 10 ft away from the audience and standing at an angle of 45 degrees. Lift the foor nearest the crowd whilst standing on the other tip-toe and it appears that you are levitating. This is the Balducci method. When he does show himself levitating on TV, it is done by wires.

Obviously levitation is not real - he's only human after all!

Starving yourself in isolation for 44 days is hardly a magic trick, just a test of endurance!

The water comes from a water tower, which I believe is filled, if not used in general supply.

Well, we're going to cruise by there next weekend just to see what's up. I personally think he's a freak. I'll go because there is no fee, I would never pay. My question is - HOW does he make money from these stunts? TV appearences before and after? I think I lost any possible interest/respect when I heard him mention Bobby Sands and tthe hunger protests.

The water is controlled by his team. Dr Hilary Whatshisname from GMTV was refused access to it to get a sample. I will say again - the only impressive part of this stunt is the isolation. There is no absolute starvation.
What the hell does he know about Bobby Sands?