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yatsyk
This talk at TED http://www.ted.com/talks/david_blaine_how_i_held_my_breath_f... is interesting. Like the moment when he talk that his ex-gf used time that he spent underwater to read SMSes on his phone.
baby
wow. This talk was intense. Definitely one of the best talk from TED
orblivion
I don't understand why people aren't more concerned with the fact that he's conflating being a magician (illusions) with pulling off medical feats? I think we should be raising the question of whether this stuff is real.

EDIT: Funny, I paused to make this comment immediately before his story about the doctor suggesting the illusion of not breathing.

cmod
Just a note: if you do watch this, watch it until the very last second.
StavrosK
Why? I don't see anything.
mcantor
He tears up at the end, just barely losing composure, as he explains what magic--and, I imagine, life--means to him. I was certainly touched.
louislouis
Really? It seemed like poor acting to me? I duno, just didnt seem real.
StavrosK
Oh, I took your comment literally and thought the guy on the stage was someone to note. I did see the end of the speech, yes.
riledhel
I think the TED video is a lot better than the original submission. Thank you very much.
ramleela
How to transfer 90 gb data laptop to desktop.
Avshalom
It should be pointed out that the unassisted static apnea record is 11.5 minutes. Making noise about Blaine's times sound a little silly.
btilly
Citation, please.

The article claims that the record without oxygen assistance is 8:58. Your 11.5 claim would beat that by quite a bit.

e40
Anyone else struck by what a bad speaker he is?
dgarner
definitely.. but he can hold his breath!
nhebb
Starting off, I thought he sounded like he had just taken a bong hit while pinching a loaf. As he went on, I became more and more engaged. Each minute of the speech made me want to hear the next minute, and finally the conclusion. So you have to ask yourself, what makes a good speaker - having polished elocution or relating an engaging story?
mcantor
Agreed. He's a great example of how successful storytelling can come from charisma and passion as well as diction and articulateness.
scorpion032
There is so much conveyed in his body language. A lot is expressed; surprisingly little made it into words.