Wow! Let’s go over things, again for the sake of clarification, starting with Iain’s claim that I lie and have lied to cover up lies, etc.
The Preview Copy Request
The “Victim” that keeps molding things to his perspective has left out the fact that he and I were butting heads long, long before said book (Naked Mentalism) was even close to being published… just do a search on Magic Bunny and you will find the track record. My request to Jon was prefaced with a paragraph that acknowledged our disagreement and MY DESIRE to patch things up… and yes, that did include my taking a look at his new book as a POSSIBLE inclusion in a VISIONS article I was working on… the same sort of article I’ve done for years (well before belonging to the Bunny in fact) in which I feature new thinking and thinkers – not a “review” as in the common sense, but a feature of things I found to be genuinely unique.
… and by the way, this was the first time I’d offered to bury the hatchet with Jon and was rejected, out right by him – HE had no desire to mend the rifts and this can be seen in his subsequent actions… but we’ll not go there just yet. Iain has suggested that I’ve “stolen” material from others… his “friends”, and from what I know, few on that list were his “friend” prior to my dealing with them… that’s neither here or there but let’s deal with reality for a minute…
Reviewers and writers for most every publication I’m aware of (not just magic but those for the general public as well) traditionally get a complimentary copy of the book, product/merchandise, etc. Secondly, those seeking to gain “reviews” and/or “accolades” of a new whatever, give away tons of copy as part of “gift bags” to VIP guests attending special events, including craft & trade shows as well as conventions. So let’s stop with the whole “Craig Stole” B.S. Craig merely approached things in the very same manner he’d learned when working for two different Beverly Hill’s based PR companies 25-30 years ago… and if you’d like to verify that Iain I’d be glad to give you Frank DeVaney’s contact details… the former V.P. of the Burbank division of Rogers & Cowan, Inc. (one of the biggest PR firms in Hollywood and one mentioned regularly in the Hollywood Reporter as well as Variety) for whom I worked most… they are just one of the companies I was a CONSULTANT to… hmmm.
As to the whole “asked and then asked again” claim… I only asked again because of the rudeness and lack of professionalism of Jon and his inability to extend a courtesy reply the first time. He is of the mindset that to ignore and not respond to a request is all that’s required when, in the professional world IT DON’T WORK THAT WAY… so please, get the more complete facts on the story if you’re going to support one side or another based on hearsay… last I checked YOU NEVER asked for my side of the story, you just chose to support your drinking chum (I say, only due to the schmoozing tactics being used by Jon with folks in the UK that he knows hold an affiliation to me.)
craig has been spreading lies, dropping snidey little remarks all over the magic forums about him, calling him arrogant and this that and the other - when all it was, was that craig got told "no", and it was meant... and so it continued until this person had enough, and called him on some claims that craig often made it escalated from there a couple of years passed, and a mutual friend of this writer and myself was approached by craig via email - saying "I'm loathed to give that rat-b@stard any of my money - can you send me copies of his work?"...for free, illegally... that person said no, and told us both craig was not a happy (magic) bunny, and so it went on
I’d say “Prove It” but that would be far too childish… people assume things are about them out of guilt and when I refer to folks (writers, prop developers, etc.) as being Arrogant and Smug it is typically a cover-all and NOT directed at any one person. HOWEVER, I’ll admit that I did take jabs at Jon both, BEFORE all this c*** (not the best) started to unfold and since – nothing changed between us as the result of his rudeness, not my resentment.
Fact is, I was given feedback on the aforementioned book by several key players that were NOT impressed by what the book offered (though they appreciated Jon’s efforts in documenting and researching the various theories, formulas, etc. from outside the magic world. Nonetheless, Jon not only left out the fact that many of these perspectives weren’t just known to the magic world but used in Mentalism for decades; he simply brought things together for the first time as a more “cohesive” way of allowing the student to see a bigger picture… nothing more!)
The whole drama over my asking to “borrow” a copy of said tome was actually based on a couple of rumors I’d heard within certain circles, in which Jon was accused of plagiarism. Anyone that actually knows me, knows that I don’t care if I have problems with someone, if I think a wrong is being said or done towards ANYONE I will investigate and when applicable, come to their defense; which is exactly what I was up to. However, the drama that unfolded over this situation actually resulted in no fewer than 6 well-known names in the Mentalist community offering copies of the book WHICH I TURNED DOWN… I’d become sick & tired of the B.S. and how it was hurting me as well as others. Again, this is something I can prove but do not expect me to reveal names… I don’t do that! It is unprofessional, disrespectful and simply WRONG!
As to my posting threads over “no one understands me” there is a legit reason for it, including the fact that little digs are sent my way as well as those that aren’t so little… just look at the thread initiated by Mr. Thompson last year during the Holiday season on The Magic Wood forum… a completely unprovoked, outright attack on me, my life and my career in which he states as fact an abundance of perspective he couldn’t possibly know… such as what I was doing at ages 6—9. But as I’ve pointed out, his conjecture leaves out certain key bits of detail that place some serious Swiss Cheese holes into the accusations. But then, those that actually do know my background (good and bad) know this to be the case and such witnesses not only include some rather established folks in the industry but literally dozens if not hundreds of them.
“Lumping folks together…”
… well, seems that water seeks its own level and when 99% of those that love to give me c*** (not the best) not only know one another but stem from the same set of UK based magic forums and have a physical “chum” factor to boot… well, one finds a “cult-mind” vs. free and more honest thinking in which ALL OF THE FACTS are weighed vs. a single theory/opinion. TO DATE the ONLY people that have been involved with the Jon Thompson portion of this drama ALL come from two major and one very minor UK forum; The Magic Bunny, Talk Magic and The Magic Wood. Even a blind-man could see the connections, not to mention any child that has learned to play connect the dot games. It might not be a matter of deliberate conspiracy, but it is a matter of five or six primary players that have a rapport with one another alongside an “agreement” (for lack of a better term) that’s been deliberately slanted and is not complete with the details – the history facts such as that theory is supposedly based on.
so there's the truth, backed up by copies of emails sent if needed... more than enough chances have been given to craig over the years - each time, spat back in our collective faces, to be honest - he should be banned from here the amount of times he's been a d***head over things...but there you go...
I’ve always found it odd, why anyone would collect random emails/IM messages. But then I’m not anal retentive or paranoid to that level. Secondly, I have far better things to do with my life than look at such material and how to manipulate it…
… starting with that first email you claim exist, I can assure you that it has been either edited or it is NOT the original IM I sent Jon via the Magic Bunny system re: the book. I’ll lay money on the fact that what you’ve seen does not address the fact that we’d butted heads as previously noted and my offer of an Olive Branch… or any of the Olive Branches I’ve attempted to give Mr. Thompson over the past 7 or so years. So let’s try to get a wider sense of what really has happened vs. the carefully presented details.
So There we have some points of view that aren’t being conveyed and where possible, negated by a very smart, quick thinking individual who knows how to manipulate and ply my established weaknesses… so much so as to deliberately, for no reason whatsoever, lash into me during a time of year that is well established as a low point – the time of year more mental patients commit suicide due to added depression, etc. – consciously exploiting that timing so as to not just “push me to the edge” but make me look that much more “weak” and “wrong” in the eyes of my peers due to how my inner drama queen comes forth… I don’t deny that I suffer from paranoia as well as diagnosed Anxiety disorders, most of which stem from bullying scenarios. Both, via an abusive/oppressive home life as a kid as well as PTSD issues away from the home that I choose to not get into.
Yes, I have been in counseling for most of the past 30 years and am on a medical regiment, so let’s not be crass on that front Iain, you already knew that in that I don’t hide it. I can assure you that I’ve come a very long way from where I was at and too, the little digs and some of the “group” antics I’ve experienced the past few years, get me down as well as defensive… it’s that simple.
One last thing when it comes to Mr. Thompson & Co.
First of all, I will acknowledge the fact that Jon has actually spoken up for me… on this very forum, many years back. I will likewise acknowledge (as I always have) that Jon is a brilliant man with some interesting ways of looking at things. You will not find me negating these facts and I promise, you will find posts on more than one forum that echo these sentiments. This does not take away from the fact that Jon can be cleverly manipulative when it’s to his advantage and as such (in my experience) a snake in the grass… I have warned many of this and that includes a few with whom he’s snuggling up with currently, that have been long term friends & supporters and for whom I’m simply looking out for.
A few months ago I offered yet another Olive Branch to Jon that was dramatically shot down here on TM; it was an invitation to be a part of a project for which several group members in this particular Brain Trust suggested Jon and for which I actually agreed… he would have been a wonderful asset to said cause and his choice to distance himself from the project will leave a definite void to things. As I pointed out in his grand announcement however, his rejection of this particular Olive Branch more or less reveals the kind of person he really is.
Now for the greater majority of posts…
Let’s start with the fact that my primary catalyst for making this thread centered on NickJ’s response to me, so let me clear some things up on that front first…
Yes Nick, I am very aggressive when it comes to those presenting the analytical point of view which, by the way, I actually tend to be far more supportive of in real life than I show on the forums and for just reason… On the forums people that have belief, be it in the biblical idea of God and related miracles or those of a more mystical sense of belief, are not allowed a voice in most any forum without being bluntly and rudely persecuted and belittled; morally and ethically this is simply WRONG! For no other reason I have elected to be the paddle-boy that speaks up in defense of such things, trying to get the “rationalists” to get “rational” when it comes to RESPECTING where others come from and why. In that action I strive to do with the “skeptics” the exact same thing I try to accomplish with the New Age/Pagan and Metaphysical types in my non-magician’s life – to get them to open their eyes to the FACT that there is “more” to all of it, regardless how much you may wish to shut your eyes to this or that or the other.
As a student of the occult arts and someone that has had a great deal of “spiritual” (religious) emphasis set upon him, I have always questioned things; not the validity of things miraculous or paranormal as much as “where is the agreement?” I’ve always believed that what “science” offers as explanation is the same exact thing that the ancients (especially the “Masters” or “Elders”) knew they just couldn’t explain it in the same language we use today e.g. the magic of our ancestors is the science of our present.
I see these correlations regularly and as I said, I do my best to bring those that stand on the outer fringes of perspective closer to the center… closer to understanding and thus, agreement. Just as I challenge people on the creative and technical level in magic, so I challenge those that I come into contact with, regardless their initial views, to consider the greater picture – the broader reality in the world. My hope/belief being that such a mutual understanding of things will allow us to get back to progressing as a society… after all, when “Science” and “Religion” were still part of the same path the world did know such progress… our dear Roman friends of the 3rd Century however, saw fit to damn science and intellect in exchange for extreme views on mysticism and exoteric religious teachings (we’ll not go down that path… ) Either way, what mankind had accomplished up to that point in time was demonized and thus, the Dark Ages came into being on more than one front… the angle of encouraged ignorance and fear being far more damaging than the natural phenomena of the era.
I hope that sets some things straight for you.
SamGurney * A_n_t * magicdiscoman… well, thank you for your kind words and support – you seem to “get it” when it comes to where my heart and focus are. It’s nice to know.
In Closing… (sort of)
I’ve admitted more than once in the past 7 or so years that I’ve been on TM, that I have a truck load of issues, weaknesses, negative personality quirks, et al. Who doesn’t? I’ve even gone to the level of explaining how, when most of your life is that of being a “shut-in” (not just because of physical ills but more so due to the psychological – agoraphobia), these forums become both, a social environment as well as a sense of extended family in some cases… which is why I tend to take things so personal.
My “worry” over how others see me lays, in part, on these points but more so due to my pronounced act of trying to NOT step on toes in ways that are not “due” and too, that when I have done a “wrong” that has brought undue harm or pain or loss to others, I step out to correct it. I promise that every single person that knows me and has known me for any period of time will sustain this truth; I will bend over backwards to make things “right” even when no wrong has been done (other than in my own head).
Nearly a year ago one of those items I supposedly “stole” was offered back to the creator because of two key reasons; Firstly, I’d not generated the sales on said prop that I’d hope to do for him; and secondly, as much as I loved the piece it simply was “right” in my mind, to keep him around when not properly earned/paid for. While I stressed that said item would always have a home with me, he went back and actually ended up in the hands of a friend of mine living in the area (supposedly gutted)… while that rubbed me a bit wrong, I’ve accepted the fact and moved on but the point here is that I’m NOT a thief in the least and I am almost constantly in a check & balance mode in all aspects of my life.
I created this thread for the sake of “clearing the air” and likewise, telling my side of things be it the drama with Jon Thompson & friends or simple misunderstandings such as NickJ brought up. But there is one other issue I am compelled to (again) point out. . .
While it is true, every single forum in which I’ve had “problems” and “harassment” have been UK based, I’m quite aware of the fact that not everyone in the UK is an ASS… in fact, I’ve noted that most of those that fit that mold tend to be a part of the two more recent generational groups with but a few from my time or before. I’ve also had pointed out to me by several, that most all of those that have decided to poke the old bear are wannabes and arm-chair experts, most of whom are simply jealous that I’ve lived a life – been there and done that.
Do Understand I’m not the only person in the magic world that’s had an amazing career and ended up broke and broken. Even Dai Vernon had other people paying his way the last 25 years of his life… as well as his funeral… I’ll not list the plethora of others that fit into the same mold who were world famous but I be Alan & Dale could give you an earful. Very few magicians prior to the mid-20th century, actually made money at it even though they were well known, so work at finding out the deeper truths around such things… I promise, much of it will surprise you.
Oh! I should also clarify that the ONLY forum I’ve ever been banned from is the Magic Café (not a major loss btw) while I have deliberately left several others, mainly due to the infestation of wannabes and those armchair skeptics that have never stepped up to the plate and done the work… they just read what Rowland & others have regurgitated over the years and claim it the gospel… as I said, Sunday Go’n to Meet’n Christians… that only know what the preachers tells them to believe.
I want to say thank you to those that have put up with these long posts/replies and hopefully, all going right, you will be able to see that I’m really not the jerk that I’ve been painted to be and that too, there is far more to certain tall tales than meet the eye.
I’ve not penned this thread to open old wounds (thought I knew there was no way around it) but I did compose it all for the sake of responding to and clarifying some of the assumptions folks have had about me (misconceptions) and too, in address to some of the favoritism I’m seen in the past year because of said assumptions being bought into. But then I’m willing to talk to anyone privately. While I will not play the “prove it to me” games some believe worthwhile, I will do my best to clarify points where the fog remains. In other words, this isn’t a “Poor Craig” post as some have implied; quite the contrary!
Ok… enough for now. Thanks for your kindness and patience.
