A really cool article! It describes my gripes with more scientifically minded people than I am perfectly. And while I had a lot of weird experiences I try to approach all that stuff impartially.
On the topic of magic. After some really interesting chemically assisted experience, my definition of magic is this:
An ability to change the situation, without making any physical changes to it.
I use a chess party as an example. Perhaps not the best thing to use as an example, but I am so far unable to think of something better. Maybe a game of Go would be better? Anyhow, bear with me. The play is in progress, and there is currently some situation on the board. One of the sides has a move, and it doesn't matter which. Magic happens, when you change the situation without moving any pieces. Maybe you talk. Maybe you change your perspective, and the weights behind the pieces change, or the probablilites of certain moves do. Somehow the situation is different.
It is much easier to do in actual situations that involve humans instead of rules based games, but I hope it is a good description.
Interesting concept with the chess party. Yes, changing perceptions can be magickal. :)