Why doesn't Harry Potter magic work?

[EnumaElish]

Does it work? If not why not? I was expecting to find entire social groups established just for this purpose but a google search did not conjure up any.

 

[Drakkith]

Does it work?

I'm pretty sure the answer is no. It does not work.

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

If it worked the IRS would have disappeared long ago.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

What do you mean? Are you expecting to find communities that gather together the ingredients and devices mentioned in the books and attempt the spells written in? If so, why would you expect to find that, much less expect it to work?

I feel we're missing something in this thread (perhaps a joke) so I'll leave it open for now but post a reminder for all to read the SF&F subforum rules:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/science-fiction-and-fantasy-reviews-forum-rules.680313/

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

It's not out of the realm of possibility that such groups would meet. We have Klingon Klubs devoted to speaking gibberish, Wiccans who worship ... something, etc.

 

[EnumaElish]

I meant it lightly but, at the end of the day, seriously, along the lines of costume or cooking clubs. More generally fan clubs. I do not expect it to work but was and am interested to find out if anyone out there thought it might.

 

[jackwhirl]

Does it work? If not why not? I was expecting to find entire social groups established just for this purpose but a google search did not conjure up any.

I see what you did there.

No, it doesn't work. There's no reason to think that it would.

Imagine that we wished to duplicate the effect of the levitation charm as described in the Harry Potter book series. There are an infinite number of things we could try and a smaller, though I imagine still infinite, number of things we could try that would work well enough to be indistinguishable from magic. What could possibly lead you to believe that waving a stick and incanting "Wingardium Leviosa" would be one of them? This particular hypothesis does not merit the level of attention you've given it. (Credit due to E. Yudkowsky)

Even if you had the extrodinary luck to be born into a world where magic exists, acquired a legitimately magical wand, and found detailed instructions in a book of magical education, you still couldn't perform the levitation charm. Because you, EnumaElish, are a muggle. Take heart, though. As consolation, entire social groups have been established just for the purpose of playing quidditch.

 

[Rubidium_71]

If you're in search of people who are seriously devoted to superstition, look no further than your local church. Baptizing an infant imbues them with magical protection and gains favor with a supreme supernatural being? If that sort of thing isn't believing in sorcery, I don't know what is.

 

[EnumaElish]

I thought there'd be muggle societies specifically for Potterian magic. @jackwhirl made clear why that's a chimaera.

 

[Hornbein]

Of course it works. Oh ye of little faith.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

if anyone out there thought it might.

Yes, in prepubescence.

Edit: I should also mention that I did build my own wand and try out all the incantations for myself. I also experimented and tried to make some of the potions and who-knows-what-else...

Quite passionately at that.

How else could you validate those claims? Take the book on its word? No way, I need proof.

Edit 2: I also made butterbeer in the microwave by melting butterscotch candies and cream soda!

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Edit: I should also mention that I did build my own wand and try out all the incantations for myself. I also experimented and tried to make some of the potions and who-knows-what-else...

I'm sixty-five and I got a copy of the Elder wand for Christmas two years ago.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

I'm sixty-five and I got a copy of the Elder wand for Christmas two years ago.

What a great gift, lucky you!

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

What a great gift, lucky you!

Sadly, it didn't come with any instructions.

 

[jackwhirl]

Did you wrest it from the grip of its previous owner?

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Did you wrest it from the grip of its previous owner?

No, I wrested it from the grip of my wife.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

No, I wrested it from the grip of my wife.

Aww! So, do you have any Harry Potter themed gift ideas that you have been thinking of surprising her with? Do you guys have a time-turner yet?

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Aww! So, do you have any Harry Potter themed gift ideas that you have been thinking of surprising her with? Do you guys have a time-turner yet?

I think she'd like one, yeah. I've considered it, but she has to get me Saruman's staff first. (She's into Tom Baker stuff, so that's my first thought for her.)