Technology as Magic

Discussions revolve around whether advanced technologies, impressive feats, or clever tricks qualify as 'magic' or are simply misunderstood mechanisms, often referencing Arthur C. Clarke's law that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

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#5856
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Keywords

trick.html AD PhDs MUD nytimes.com YA LARP DeepMind OTOH magic indistinguishable trick ritual lightning tricks isn real real magical know did

Sample Comments

craigmcnamara Feb 3, 2025 View on HN

It's only magic if you don't understand how it works.

thowawaymom Sep 25, 2020 View on HN

You know magic isn't real, right?

3g4o53g4o5 Jun 21, 2022 View on HN

So you are talking about magic.

photoGrant Nov 23, 2023 View on HN

The reality behind 'Magic' is always a 'Knowledge' issue ;-)

flendrikson Sep 27, 2021 View on HN

If we don't understand it's workings, how do we know it's not magic ;)

nejsjsjsbsb Jan 20, 2025 View on HN

This is about the "magic tricks" by someone who clearly doesn't suffer fools. Looks interesting.

exe34 Dec 25, 2024 View on HN

it's like real magic. real magic is magic that is impossible. magic that can be done isn't real magic, it's just tricks.

edgyquant Jan 19, 2023 View on HN

I don’t care how well we can explain it, that’s magic

hellofunk Jul 13, 2016 View on HN

What do you mean by magic here?

eps Nov 3, 2019 View on HN

"Indistinguishable from magic."