It has become fashionable for people to dismiss David Blaine as a publicity-seeking huckster with delusions of magical grandeur; instead of the death-defying illusionist he fancies himself to be. And, it certainly did not help his credibility when he failed last night to break the “static apnea” (holding one’s breath underwater) record of 8 minutes, 58 seconds – after weeks of hype (worthy of the second coming of Jesus Christ) and a 2-hour prime-time build-up on ABC-TV.
Nevertheless, I find Blaine’s public stunts not only more awe-inspiring than anything his arch-critic and (authentic) magician David Copperfield does, but also more daring than anything the father of magicians Harry Houdini ever did.
In fact, I do not see how any reasonable person can deny that witnessing Blaine’s feats of human endurance – which include being buried inside a glass coffin for 7 days, being encased in a block of ice “frozen in time” for 61 hours and 40 minutes and standing on a 90-foot high pole only 22 inches in diameter for 35 hours without food – is infinitely more magical and riveting than watching Copperfield pretend to make another circus elephant disappear. And, despite running out of breath, the feat he accomplished last night sets yet another believe-it-or-not standard in this regard:
The man was “drowned alive” by being submerged in an 8-foot diameter, water-filled sphere for 7 days and 7 nights, and he concluded this daring do with the even more unbelievable stunt of holding his breath underwater for 7 minutes, 8 seconds, whilst performing an audacious escape from handcuffs and chains (the trick that made Houdini a sensation on the vaudeville circuit in the early 1900s).
Amazing!
Besides, as a former competitive swimmer who thought swimming 75 meters underwater for 90 seconds was a stunning feat of human endurance, I know first-hand that Blaine must possess supernatural powers to perform the stunt he completed last night. Oh, and did I mention that he does mind-blowing card tricks, and levitates too? (Admittedly, these street performances make him seem like a publicity-seeking huckster….)
But to all his naysayers, I say go take a dive in Blaine’s water-filled sphere and see how you fare!
Here’s to David Blaine, the master illusionist of all time!!!
NOTE: Nevermind those who say that Blaine’s assault on the static apnea record should not be recognised because judges from the International Association for the Development of Apnea (IADA) could not verify that he inhaled no “pure oxygen” within two hours before the time count. After all, I’m sure the IADA record-holder did not spend 7 days and 7 nights submerged in a water-bubble with virtually no food before setting his record….
David Blaine, drowned alive
eric says
ALH
It really was riveting television. It’s too bad he failed the ultimate test. I think his otherwise remarkable feat will be diminshed because of it. But I agree with you, he’s a master illusionist.
Jill says
Hi Anthony
I could not take my eyes of the TV last night. I feel bad though because I really liked the street stuff that you say make him look like a huckster. Aren’t you amazed that he eats glass, levitates and all that stuff?
Anonymous says
Sir
As a professional free diver, I was appalled by the arrogance this man showed by attempting to do with little training what it takes years of training to accomplish. As it happened he not only embarrassed but almost killed himself.
Barry Maddox
Phil says
Barry
You stole my thunder. I think this guy’s an idiot and a cry baby. a huckster of delusion is right ALH.
michelle says
I don’t know what Barry is griping about. David is an incredible person and what he does to help us understand the limits of the human body is way beyond just trying to hold his breath underwater. I think Barry should go take that dive like you say Anthony :)