Professional Mentalist Kostya Kimlat Addresses the Ethics Question: “Is Mentalism Real?”
Kostya Kimlat performs magic and mentalism onstage at a corporate meeting.
Kostya Kimlat, founder and CEO of See Magic Live (the parent company of Mentalists.net), just published a thoughtful piece that tackles the question we all get asked constantly: "Is mentalism real?"
The Ukrainian-born mentalist who fooled Penn & Teller and now teaches Fortune 500 companies about perception management doesn't shy away from the controversy.
His answer? "Mentalism as a performance art is real; mentalism as genuine telepathy is not."
But what makes this article worth your time is how Kimlat frames the ethical responsibility we carry as performers. Drawing on his background as a Soviet refugee who grew up understanding propaganda and deception, he makes a compelling case for transparency about our craft.
The Core Argument
Kimlat distinguishes between two approaches in our field:
Performers who maintain deliberate ambiguity about whether their abilities are genuine
Performers who are transparent about creating theatrical experiences while keeping methods secret
He firmly plants himself in the second camp, using the term "theatrical mindreading" to signal both the artistry and the honesty of what he does.
Why This Matters
The piece goes beyond the usual "magicians use methods" explanation. Kimlat argues that in our current era of distrust and misinformation, honesty about our framework actually deepens the experience rather than diminishing it.
His perspective: audiences can surrender to genuine wonder when they understand they're engaging with artful performance rather than claimed supernatural ability. The cognitive dissonance of watching something impossible while knowing methods exist creates the effect we're actually after.
The Line in the Sand
Kimlat draws a clear ethical boundary: "The moment a mentalist claims actual telepathic abilities, he crosses from entertainer into charlatan."
He acknowledges this isn't a universally held position in our community. Some performers argue that maintaining ambiguity creates stronger effects. But he contends that the potential for real harm when people make decisions based on what they believe are genuine psychic insights outweighs any performance benefits.
For Our Community
Whether you agree with his stance or not, the article offers a well-articulated position on one of mentalism's ongoing ethical debates. It's particularly relevant for those of us who perform corporate work, where clients and audiences expect transparency about what they're experiencing.
Kimlat's approach reflects his broader methodology of teaching businesses about perception management. When you're consulting with executives about customer experience, your credibility depends on intellectual honesty about how perception works.
The complete piece explores the parallels between traditional magic and mentalism, examines why mentalism occupies "murkier territory" than stage magic, and explains what transparency means for audiences hiring mentalists.
You can read "Is Mentalism Real? Answered Honestly by a Professional Mentalist" on Kostya's blog.
