Magic represents a model of art in which practitioners possess profound technique they keep secret, have a primary impulse to entertain rather than impress or intimidate, and use their skills for delight rather than demonstration of superiority.

definitionpending

Speaker

Adam Gopnik

Evidence Quote

the idea that you would have a profound technique that you kept to yourself...your primary impulse was to entertain rather than to impress or intimidate

Source

Adam Gopnik with Malcolm Gladwell: On the Mystery of MasteryThe 92nd Street Y, New York
Created: 8/11/2026, 1:38:16 AM

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