Logic of Trixie's magic shows in a universe where magic exists

[Luna the Great of all the Russias 2,987]

Given that magic actually exists in the MLPFIM universe, how is it that Trixie's performances impress and entertain the audience?

Edited January 16, 2022 by Luna the Great of all the Russias

[Megas 27,742]

There really isn't much lol

[Justin_Case001 4,900]

47 minutes ago, Luna the Great of all the Russias said:

how is it that Trixie's performances impress and entertains the audience?

I would say that the answer to this is exactly the same as why Rainbow Dash (who can literally break the sound barrier) is excited and thrilled to go on a roller coaster. 

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

The same way that a magic show entertains an audience in a world where magic doesn't exist. People go to a magic show knowing what they are seeing isn't real. The impressive aspect comes from the fact that the magician can perform the illusion and you can't figure it out. Seeing a non magical pony (Earth, Pegasus, or not so powerful Unicorn) do those things is amazing.

[Luna the Great of all the Russias 2,987]

On 2022-01-16 at 12:59 PM, Brony Number 42 said:

The same way that a magic show entertains an audience in a world where magic doesn't exist. People go to a magic show knowing what they are seeing isn't real. The impressive aspect comes from the fact that the magician can perform the illusion and you can't figure it out. Seeing a non magical pony (Earth, Pegasus, or not so powerful Unicorn) do those things is amazing.

I suppose it depends on the magical proficiency of the typical unicorn. It makes sense to me if the typical unicorn's magical ability does not go much further than levitating some objects, then perhaps Trixie's ability is actually greater than the average unicorn (for instance, is teleportation a fairly advanced skill?). And with the use of various props and setting her stage in various ways, Trixie can give an illusion that her magical prowess is greater than it really is.

As Twilight is the main character of the series, perhaps we are used to seeing more skilled use of magic. But that may not necessarily be the case from the perspective of the typical pony.

Edited January 17, 2022 by Luna the Great of all the Russias

[SharpWit 2,697]

It's really just a demonstration of skill and showmanship. Most unicorns only practice a basic form of telekinesis. We don't think much of someone picking up a cup, but it's quite a sight to see someone balancing a tray of them on one hand and juggling three in the other.

Theoretically anyone should be able to learn this skill, but most don't which is what makes it special.

[Misty Shadow 7,937]

Trixie was also bragging that her magic was superior to every pony else's, humiliating Twilight's friends with better tricks and making up a story where she single-handedly defeated an Ursa Major. Most of the ponies are fairly gullible, and even Twilight only defeated an Ursa Minor. 

[HereComesTom 2,268]

My understanding of Trixie's shows was that she had an "anything you can do, I can do better" vibe to it.  ...Which wasn't actually true; whenever she couldn't outdo a pony based on skill, she just humiliated them.

[Solar Power 310]

I have to say this is a question that I've given far too much thought to over the years. 

[Fluttershutter 2,504]

We go to a demonstration of somebody's skills, music, dance, gymnastics, even though we could technically do them all ourselves, just not so well. Same thing with magic.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

I'd like to explain that unicorns have VERY VERY basic magic.... if you put the top 10 powerful unicorns trixie is one of them..... you can name every powerful unicorns out there. it might be that 90% can do basic levitation spells. only while the 10 or less are the most talented ones.

one example at the buck ball episode.... not everyone was good at even the basics of holding that bucket.... then snail came along and he had talent... heck snail might be at the top 10 strongest unicorn.... again unicorns arent OP. you think they're op but you only saw the minority so often that you thought every unicorn is powerful.

that makes you racist haha! that was weird....

[They call me Loyalty 1,948]

I think of trixie as some sort an illusionist. You know, tricks that involve deceiving the observer, without the use of real magic. THE magik.

Also, I don't know how popular is illusionism in this world. Since real magic seems to have more practical applications, such as "rising the sun", or allowing small kids to experiment in yet unborn life forms, as it was the case with twilight and spike.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

2 hours ago, They call me Loyalty said:

I think of trixie as some sort an illusionist. You know, tricks that involve deceiving the observer, without the use of real magic. THE magik.

Also, I don't know how popular is illusionism in this world. Since real magic seems to have more practical applications, such as "rising the sun", or allowing small kids to experiment in yet unborn life forms, as it was the case with twilight and spike.

only twilight does that... one of the exceptionals.