talkmagic.co.uk

Tomo wrote:

Craig Browning wrote:As to Copyright's concepts and publishing I'd have to say he is worthy of applause for holding to his present position vs. being like all the other magic whores that think they need to publish every brainfart that comes along and sell it for $20.00.

No offence, Craig, but that comes across as a very bitter and deliberately inflammatory thing to say. The fact is that there are some astonishing magical thinkers publishing today and they're far from both middle age and being inexperienced.

Tomo... the truth of the matter is (when what I said is taken in context) is that 99% of the stuff coming out each month is C*R*A*P there's no getting around it, it's worthless junk and regurgitation of what someone else shared with us (probably for free, via a magazine) long ago and some wannabe has reworded it and put it out as his own thing.

Maybe I am a bit jaded and even biased, but I see far too many "pipe dream" pieces going on the market that have no meat and absolutely no reason for anyone to fork over the kind of money that's being asked. I'm not going to name, names but there are some very big (as in recognizable, not "Celebrity" types) names that fall into this category and for me, I find it insulting that some shmuck is selling 8 poorly pulled together pages on "levitations" (for an example) for $25.00 only to find versions of parlor gags featured in Tarbell and other such resources. This is blatant ripp-off... a hustle! In my book it's very wrong and usuary... the kind of thing that will, in time, hurt magic more than "help".

the truth of the matter is (when what I said is taken in context) is that 99% of the stuff coming out each month is C*R*A*P

Sturgeon's Law Sure 90% of science fiction is c*** (not the best), that's because 90% of everthing is c*** (not the best).

Interestingly enough, quoted by Bob Cassidy (Artful Mentalism, p.25)

I haven't come across these 8-page wonders unless your talking about the stuff touted as instant downloads on ebay - such as BE LIKE DERREN BROWN SECRETS GET GIRLFRIEND buy it now! £9.99

Telling people to refrain from publishing and sitting on ideas just because there has been a spate of rubbish released seems a bit heavy handed. Wouldn't energy be better spent simply advising genuine magicians what kinds of things to buy and what to avoid?

I'm not going to name, names but there are some very big (as in recognizable, not "Celebrity" types) names that fall into this category

I wish you would. If these people really are usurers and demaging magic, it seems wrong to keep quiet about them.

Sadly, some of the folks most guilty for this kind of stuff are "well connected" and I just can't deal with any legal hassles at this point in time... it's easy to spot them though, once you've seen an example of their material once or twice.

The fact that there is so much worthless junk out there has nothing to do with why I'd tell a creative individual to not release his or here stuff. Rather, the opposite... I would want them to not be associated with such materials and encourage them to sit tight, as I stated earlier, so they and perhaps a limited handful or folks, can play with their concepts and evolve things to the point of perfecting it... this is how things are typically done in the world. This creates curiosity which in time, becomes "demand" which allows you to be able to actually gain some long term benefit when you reach that point of actually sharing what's been on your mind and in your act for so long.

Yes, as has been pointed out, there have been many young genius types who've published early. But as has also been pointed out, not everyone is a Luke Jermay, Steven Shaw or Ted Annemann... most of us a shleps that actually have to work very hard at what we do and feel like we're getting nowhere really fast the greater majority of the time (and I hear this from guys that are working very steady). But then, as we come into our late 30s and early 40s we start recognizing the buzz attached to our name and the things we do and we wake up to the fact that it's time to shift our career just a bit and beat our own drum. That's when the books, videos and lecture dates really begin to happen but even here, not everyone comes to know such pentacles.

The "map" I share in what I've been saying is based in part on my own life as well as what I hear from my peers. I am also very much aware that most will never even try to get that far. The "sin" comes into play when someone, apparently like yourself, allows self-doubt and fear of critical opinion to hold them back vs. taking that deep breath (when the time is right and YOU are ready) and telling all those armchair experts to shove it... you've actually done the work instead of just reading books and playing around with the boys at the magic clubs.

Yea, it sounds arrogant but ego is something we require, at least in moderate doses, if we are to be successful in the trade.


Pardon... I'm rambling a bit... I just hope you understand the gist of things.