Are you convinced that sword swallowing is an art and not a trick?

CaitlynLynch · Post by **CaitlynLynch** » 04 May 2018, 00:55

Sword-swallowing is a learned skill, unlike the illusions performed by stage magicians, if that's what you meant.

Jgideon · Post by **Jgideon** » 04 May 2018, 04:05

I believe that sword swallowing is more of a trick than art. Just how do you swallow a sword and fail to get injuries? For me, it's just a clever trick.

Uche Balogun · Post by **Uche Balogun** » 04 May 2018, 04:51

Like most, if not all magic, I think it's a trick.

meadhbh · Post by **meadhbh** » 04 May 2018, 06:56

PlanetHauth wrote: ↑03 May 2018, 22:49Sword swallowing doesn't "reorganize" anything in your body. The sword goes in the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Then it's pulled out.

Here are some links to websites discussing sword swallowing, if you or anyone else is interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_swallowing
https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com ... lowing.htm
http://www.swordswallow.com/faq.php

Thank you so much for providing those links! I think it's so fascinating, like any circus trick, and I love learning more about it.

PlanetHauth · Post by **PlanetHauth** » 04 May 2018, 07:13

meadhbh wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 06:56
PlanetHauth wrote: ↑03 May 2018, 22:49Sword swallowing doesn't "reorganize" anything in your body. The sword goes in the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Then it's pulled out.

Here are some links to websites discussing sword swallowing, if you or anyone else is interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_swallowing
https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com ... lowing.htm
http://www.swordswallow.com/faq.php
Thank you so much for providing those links! I think it's so fascinating, like any circus trick, and I love learning more about it.

You're welcome! I was hoping to change some minds since I see some saying sword swallowing isn't possible. I'm glad you can use the links too, though!

Kendra M Parker · Post by **Kendra M Parker** » 04 May 2018, 14:11

The description of Duke's skill certainly leads me to believe that this is an art or skill, not just some “trick” of the eyes. I think that it is pretty clear that Duke really does this, and I think the author was probably genuinely acquainted with someone who did this at some point. There’s just enough detail about thoughts and such to make this seem genuine to me.

Christina Rose · Post by **Christina Rose** » 04 May 2018, 15:58

meadhbh wrote: ↑03 May 2018, 08:44 I would imagine that when sword-swallowers begin training, they probably don't use sharp swords to start off with, in order to prevent the risk should something go wrong. Then, once they're able to do it successfully, the likely move on to real swords. Even so, it seems incredibly dangerous.

I agree with you on the probable training. I do think this is a skill that can be taught, but students don't jump right in with real swords. It's like anything else you learn - there are steps and safety measures. In martial arts, for example, you don't start sparring against others. You first learn different moves and techniques.

orangelettuce · Post by **orangelettuce** » 04 May 2018, 16:11

CaitlynLynch wrote: ↑04 May 2018, 00:55 Sword-swallowing is a learned skill, unlike the illusions performed by stage magicians, if that's what you meant.

Exactly this. One of my IRL friends used to be a circus performer - she was a juggler - but on occasion when she hosted social gatherings other people from that life would be there - fire breathers, sword swallowers, contortionists, those people who walk on coals/spikes etc - and they would never perform as a party trick because it was too dangerous risk being drunk and not controlling your movements well enough (for example).

At its heart sword swallowing is just learning how to repress your body's natural urge to swallow. Even with dulled performance swords it's dangerous, because you can severely injure yourself if you lose control and give in to the gag reflex. It's not a trick in that they're secretly slipping it down their shirt or using a retractable sword... I suppose some people might do that, but it's certainly not the norm.

Cswrawr · Post by **Cswrawr** » 04 May 2018, 16:45

I'd say sure, it's a trick, but that doesn't discount it also being an art. I don't believe sword swallowers go down to the local magic and illusion shop for their retractable sword and instantly become performers, it takes work and (I imagine) tons of practice to pull off something that looks realistic.

holsam_87 · Post by **holsam_87** » 04 May 2018, 18:25

Zain A Blade wrote: ↑02 May 2018, 14:17 After reading the book (or at least the review), are you convinced that the character, Duke Raynolds, is not a fraud? Do you believe that sword swallowing is a practice that can actually be taught and learned? I'd love to hear your take on this.

Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of sword swallowing, it is all how one perceives it. I'm not really sure if its an Art that can be taught. It was still interesting to read about.

Snowflake · Post by **Snowflake** » 04 May 2018, 19:54

When I first started to read this book, I thought sword swallowing was a trick but now, I believe it's an actual skill that can be learned. I really enjoyed reading all the thoughts and links above!

Revatyson7 · Post by **Revatyson7** » 04 May 2018, 20:19

Although sword swallowing is very fascinating....l believe it is an art that is taught. With practice and diligence the art is created to perfection making it seem like a trick

MrsCatInTheHat · Post by **MrsCatInTheHat** » 04 May 2018, 20:43

I'd probably gag and die on my first attempt, but it is a real art rather than an optical illusion.

Tbunde5 · Post by **Tbunde5** » 04 May 2018, 20:51

This is definitely not an illusion. Although the swords are real, they do not have a sharp edge. One has to learn to relax the larynx and learn to suppress the gag reflex, which is extremely difficult to teach someone to do. There are those with hypotonia (little to no muscle tone) who are quite capable of “swallowing” long objects completely - as far as the diaphragm but not actually into the stomach. This is definitely a “do not try this at home” trick.

lmvartanian · Post by **lmvartanian** » 05 May 2018, 18:23

I think like all things brought into the modern era, sword swallowing used to be an art, and is now more likely a trick. I imagine it used to be much more difficult to fake tricks like sword swallowing than it is these days. Plus with health regulations, corporations cannot risk the high likelihood of death like they portray in the book. Although in Cirque du Soleil (what I perceive to be the modern version of the circus), you do hear of performers dying everyone once in a while, it is rare.