I’ll be off to Las Vegas, not my favorite city (but I do know cultured people who like it; I just don’t see why) for some meetings. I hope to be able to visit Cato Institute H. L. Mencken Fellows Penn & Teller along with a big group of libertarians.
On the Road a Bit
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Las Vegas warms up on you. You wouldn’t think so, but it actually does.
The Penn and Teller show is brilliant. I hope you can see it, because I think you’ll enjoy it. The best part is where they make an American flag disappear, making it seem as though it literally went up in smoke. The performance is executed with tongue-in-cheek comments like, “Did we just burn an American flag? What if we didn’t, but just made you *believe* that we did?” It’s funny and clever.
The Las Vegas casinoes are interesting in at least two respects.
First, the customer service. Movies often depict casino owners or dealers as greedy villains. I have found the opposite to be true. The dealers prefer not to give advice because of their conflict of interest, but when they do give it, it is sound.
Second, private currency. The chips can be used anywhere in the casino: restaurants, gift shops, as tips, etc. Granted, it’s not really a full-fledged currency, but it does have aspects of it.
The two times I met Penn & Teller, they were unfailingly personable. The first time was in Seattle, in the lobby after their show — less than a year after my 1997 Cato internship, no less. They were mobbed by autograph seekers (which is something they invite), but they both noticed my Reason T-shirt and Cato hat, and congratulated me on my excellent taste. “Now we know who’s thinkin’!” Penn bellowed. And, as I turned to walk away, “In liberty.”
The second time was the Sunday after the original FEE conference in Las Vegas, in 2002, I think. I had met and talked with Harry Browne for the first time earlier in the day, running into him outside a casino restaurant, and when Harry saw me walk into the lobby after the magic show, he waved me over and took it upon himself to introduce me to Penn & Teller (who were talking to Doug Casey at that moment).
Genuinely nice guys, all.
I saw the show last night. It was GREAT! The tricks were brilliantly performed and the explanatory patter was funny and illuminating at the same time. (And I expected it to be on the vulgar side, but…it wasn’t. You could take your Granny or your priest there and not worry about being embarrassed.)