This came to me when writing in the dreaded theory11 forums that exist. I don't drop by much, but the Cerca Trova section, a section created to encourage intellectual discussions on aspects of magic, got me thinking about the nature of magic and generation. The topic was about XCM and if you are interested then it belongs here. http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=6664&page=3
Note this quote of someones signature showing the path of his magic:
Path to magic
Criss Angel episode->Ellusionist->Theory11->Old School->?????
Where does magic go next?
It hit me that there was a divide, not only in the theory11 forums. But here. I could imagine the comments on Magical Masturbation from a mile off, the retorts of those who peform XCM either shrugging off the comment or facing it head on. The fact remains thought that the divide in age group and views on magic is rather distinct.
This is something beyond the likes of XCM. This is about the general difference between many members of the forum and their ideals. The young generation are inexperienced and arrogant. I couldn't agree more. But do we not need to take risks and become vunerable to the realities of magic? We are warned against the likes of the above sites and their money perogative. Sure this is true, but the same can be said about all magic selling. Hype is merely something of the future, something done all the time and something that we may have to accept.
Many members would advocate the use of books, many with troves of information that we would find helpful. These experienced members provide direction to what we should learn. But in many ways I feel that it moulds us into something of what these members would like us to become, rather than the sculpting of some individual spark for the peformer. We are to steer clear of XCM, of one hit tricks, of eyeshadow
and of Brad. But shouldn't we be more tollerant of the new interest in magic, the new routes of learning and new styles? Why are so many members so eager to shoot down something like XCM, with derogatory comments that would put many off. Do you not want to allow these eager newcomers to develop a style of their own?
I am thankful for the help these oldies have given. Experience is a wonderful thing, as is passed on knowledge. But I do fear for those who were driven away by some of the attitudes present in the forum. The world is changing, as is magic. Magic always changes, as do interests.
So why wouldn't people change?
The only comparisson I can give is with the scientific community. But I am unsure of how many of you have read Thomas Kuhns book on the Paradigm shift.
So do you think there is any chance of a more lenient stance of new things, new people and new magic?
