Magic & Illusion: Secrets Killed 60 Seconds at a Time?

Magic & Illusion: Secrets Killed 60 Seconds at a Time?

Author: Gareth King August 15, 2025 Duration: 46:21

By demystifying the craft, exposing its secrets, and reducing complex tricks to bite-sized content, has the foundation of all magic – mystery – been eroded?

Joining us to delve into this world is Cosentino, Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist and escape artist - known to audiences around the world as ‘The Grand Illusionist’.

⁠https://www.cosentino.com.au/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecosentino/⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/officialcosentino⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCosentino/⁠

⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thecosentino

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Cosentino shares his journey from a shy child with learning difficulties to becoming a renowned magician. We discuss the evolution of magic in the digital age, the impact of social media on the craft, and the emotional connections that magic creates with audiences.

We also look at the need for magicians and illusionists to develop their own storytelling and performance style, the benefits of technology in enhancing the art form, and Cosentino offers valuable advice for aspiring magicians and shares insights about his upcoming tour ‘Tricked’.

00:00 The Journey to Becoming The Grand Illusionist

04:07 The Impact of Technology on Magic

07:37 The Evolution of Performance Styles

12:05 Navigating Fame and Social Media

17:06 Balancing Secrets and Exposure in Magic

22:47 The Evolution of Magic in the Digital Age

27:45 The Impact of Technology on Magic Performance

31:46 The Art of Creating Wonder

37:13 Leveraging Technology for Magic

41:20 Advice for Aspiring Magicians


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
Podcast Episodes
The Internet: A Corporate Hijacking of Digital Freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:05
The internet was supposed to be where the free exchange of knowledge and ideas happened. Instead, it’s become a place increasingly controlled by a few companies, leading to the regular suppression of inconvenient or unpo…
Truly Disappearing: Powering Our Own Perpetual Surveillance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
The internet has given us unprecedented connection, but thanks to relentless data retention and constant tracking of our every digital move, is it now virtually impossible to shed our old identity and start a new life un…
Social Interaction: The Digital Erasure of Presence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
With its constant presence and insatiable demand for attention, has the internet invaded our offline spaces, diminishing our ability to be truly present, and eroding the quality of our in-person experiences?To help us un…
Music: An Algorithmic Burial of Human Artists? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
It promised to empower artists and give listeners infinite choice. But has the internet turned music into a disposable commodity, replaced human curation with algorithms, and made it impossible for most artists to earn a…
Gambling: Optimised for Frictionless Financial Mayhem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:22
It promised to modernise an age-old activity, bringing new convenience to a quick thrill. But has the internet instead delivered a predatory, 24/7 addiction machine that exploits our psychology with algorithms, leading t…
The Human Identity: Authenticity or Algorithmic Performance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
It promised a world of self-expression and connection. But has the internet instead encouraged us to create performative versions of ourselves; curated by algorithms and validated by likes?To help us find the reality, we…
Human Resources: The Era of Digital Reductionism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
It promised to make things more efficient, objective, and data-driven, but has the internet instead turned a human-centric discipline into an automated, impersonal system with new ethical and privacy concerns?To help us…
Video Games: From Finished Art to Perpetual Product? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
Through predatory monetisation, rushed development, and profits over player enjoyment, has the joy and escapism of video games been lost?To give us a walkthrough, we’re joined by Steve Wright, owner and Editor-in-Chief o…
Journalism & News: From Fact-Checking to Attention-Seeking? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:22
It promised unlimited reach, direct engagement, and a more informed world. But has the internet instead devalued expertise, creating a ‘clicks and outrage’ economy where speed reigns over accuracy?To help us get the full…
Broadcast Television: The Digital Dismantling of an Entire Industry? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
By replacing linear, scheduled programming with huge libraries of on-demand content, have the business models and power structures of traditional tv been toppled for good?To help us see the full picture, we’re joined by…