Magic is often associated with fantastical and extraordinary abilities that defy explanation. From ancient folklore to modern-day entertainment, the concept of magic has captured the imagination of people across cultures and generations. One aspect that is often emphasized in depictions of magic is its visual appeal. Magic looks alluring, captivating, and mysterious. Magicians often perform tricks and illusions that leave their audiences astounded and wondering how it was even possible. Whether it is a simple card trick or a grand spectacle, the visual aspect of magic plays a crucial role in creating the desired effect.

Amazon promises fix for creepy Alexa laugh

The laugh, described by some as “witch like” was reported to sometimes happen without the device being “woken” up.

Others reported the laugh occurring when they asked Alexa to perform a different task, such as playing music.

"We’re aware of this and working to fix it,” Amazon said.

"In rare circumstances, Alexa can mistakenly hear the phrase 'Alexa, laugh'.

"We are changing that phrase to be 'Alexa, can you laugh?' which is less likely to have false positives, and we are disabling the short utterance 'Alexa, laugh'.

"We are also changing Alexa's response from simply laughter to 'sure, I can laugh' followed by laughter."

Voice assistants like Alexa are designed to respond or act only when prompted with a wake word, which in this case is “Alexa” or “Amazon”.

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But some people have suggested the glitch happened without any prior interaction, spooking Alexa owners.

"WHY DID MY ALEXA JUST LAUGH OUT OF THE BLUE. ” wrote one user on Twitter.

Another wrote: "Lying in bed about to fall asleep when Alexa on my Amazon Echo Dot lets out a very loud and creepy laugh. there’s a good chance I get murdered tonight.”

The use of voice assistants in the home is often met with caution due to their nature - voice commands are recorded and sent to the cloud for processing, a system that stokes a fear of eavesdropping, unintended or otherwise.

Incidents like this, where an assistant seems to rebel against its owner, naturally further this concern. That said, most users on social media have reacted with humour, drawing parallels with HAL 9000 from the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

“I’m sorry, Dave,” the machine famously said. “I’m afraid I can’t do that."

Scary witch laugh

I volunteered to watch a scary movie with my husband the other night. I hate scary movies. I haven’t cared for them since seeing Amityville Horror at the tender age of EIGHT (thanks, Aunt Connie). I can’t even watch 48 hours when I’m in the house alone.

But, my husband said if I’d watch Jeepers Creepers with him we would turn the lights out and there would be snuggling and air-popped popcorn, so I had that going for me. If there had been Raisinets , I would have submitted to a double-feature. He likes me because I’m easy.

So we settled in and went in search of Jeepers Creepers, which we couldn’t find even though both of us had seen it listed on HBO, or Netflix, or somewhere. This left us with surprisingly few options given we were just days away from Halloween. Get your act together, cable. What good are you if you can’t make a women pee her pants with fear?

After scrolling through the selections, we stumbled across Children of the Corn. I had never seen it, so it seemed a good choice. You can’t go wrong with Stephen King, right? Wrong.

The acting! The music! The special effects! The 80s!

I could make a better movie with my iPhone and my dogs playing the lead roles. I mean, honestly, it didn’t even turn me off of running between rows of corn, which I’m pretty sure will never happen, but if it were to happen I should be terrified, which I wouldn’t be. So, if you see me running between rows of corn, you’ll know why I’m not scared.

Now I feel like I need to watch more horror movies, because maybe they aren’t scary at all and I’ve been missing the chance to have a good laugh. Next up: Leprechaun in the Hood.

How to create a spooky smart home for Halloween

Whether it is a simple card trick or a grand spectacle, the visual aspect of magic plays a crucial role in creating the desired effect. The magician's gestures, props, and lively presence all contribute to the overall visual spectacle, creating an aura of enchantment and excitement. The use of smoke, mirrors, and colorful lights only enhances the visual appeal of magic.

Want the spookiest smart home on the block? Here’s how to get a creepy yet cool setup using smart speakers, smart lights, and video doorbells.

By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy , a smart home reviewer who's been testing connected gadgets since 2013. Previously a writer for Wirecutter, Wired, and BBC Science Focus.

These elements are often incorporated to add an extra layer of intrigue and mystique, drawing the audience deeper into the world of the illusion. The manipulation of these visuals is what gives magic its distinctive and mesmerizing charm. Moreover, the attire and appearance of a magician also add to the magical aesthetic. The flowing robes, top hats, and sparkling accessories create an image of a person with otherworldly powers. These visual cues help to establish the magician as a figure of authority and mystery, further enhancing the overall magical experience. However, it is essential to note that while the visual aspect of magic is crucial, it goes hand in hand with the skill and craft of the magician. Behind every visually stunning trick lies hours of practice, preparation, and precision. The magician's ability to seamlessly combine visual spectacle with their technical expertise is what truly makes magic an awe-inspiring art form. In conclusion, magic looks alluring and captivating due to its visual appeal. The incorporation of props, illusions, lighting, and costumes help create a magical ambiance that captures the imagination of the audience. However, it is important to remember that the beauty of magic lies not only in its visual appeal but also in the skill and artistry of the magician performing it..

Reviews for "The Magic of Escapology: The Art of Getting Out of Impossible Situations"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic looks alkoh". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The writing style was lackluster and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't get into "Magic looks alkoh" at all. The writing was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The pacing was also very slow, and it felt like nothing was happening for the majority of the book. I found myself constantly skimming through pages just to get to the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.

3. James - 2 stars - "Magic looks alkoh" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect or care about their stories. Despite the promising premise, the book failed to deliver a captivating and well-executed storyline. It's unfortunate because I had high hopes for this novel.

4. Emily - 3 stars - While I appreciate the unique concept of "Magic looks alkoh", I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of tedious exposition and rushed action scenes that left me feeling indifferent. The main character lacked depth and growth, which made it difficult to become emotionally invested in her journey. Overall, the book had its moments, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

5. Michael - 2 stars - "Magic looks alkoh" was a frustrating read for me. The writing style was convoluted, and it often felt like the author was trying too hard to be clever and poetic. The plot was disjointed and lacked coherence, leaving me confused and uninterested in the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing and forgettable read.

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