talkmagic.co.uk

Some time ago I shared a treatise with this forum concerning young people and those new to magic & mentalism that were in the rush to get their name in print and "sell their ideas". It's most unfortunate that this isn't required reading for some, nonetheless I've recently been inspired to put forth my two-cents yet again. Seems that we are again besieged by a young wannabe genius that's desperate for acknowledgment and like so many, falling flat fast due to his youth and lack of good judgment.

Officially I was on stage as a working pro since age nine; unofficially I've been doing shows of one form or another since I was about six... let's just say that that was well over four decades ago and leave it at that... the simple crux of my tale is the fact that I didn't start even attempting to blow my own horn when it came to articles, ideas and routines until I was well into my early 20s... I was smart enough to know that I had a heck of a lot more to learn before what I had to say held any real sense of value or warranted people's attention. At nine, ten and well into my mid-teens I really didn't have enough life-experience to know my butt from a hole in the ground and in that same sense of reference, I knew that trying to claim otherwise simply made me look more like my hind-side in the eyes of most vs. the hole the in ground (which is where I'd want to hide in shame, given the kind of attitude that could be the end result).

What I did during those years was listened; I read the books and talked quietly to the working pros who guided me and helped me when I had questions, problems or even a theory. After many years of working in this manner I started getting words of encouragement from these same people, to write my thoughts and share them; to start building on my name recognition and reputation by submitting articles for GENII, Linking Rings, and so forth. Slowly, my conversations and ideas turned into consulting contracts and partnerships in which I helped others in designing and producing magic, much of which has become rather "legendary" in its own right and though I do blow my own horn now days, it is the success of all those quiet contributions that gives me the right to do so.

Nothing is ever carved in stone that's worth a darn in that a world filled with absolutes is no fun. Yet, there are certain very genuine truths in the Universe and one, at least in our world, is that few prepubescent kids (like one in 10,000 maybe) really have a leg to stand on when it comes to making solid contributions to this craft; their antics of self-publishing are typically masturbatory and from what I've seen and heard, not so much a thing of value EXCEPT in the mind of the author.

The reality is, life is not a race and success in life does not come to those who project desperation in proving either "a point" or their "importance". Sure, I'm a bit guilty of those things, but as I said previously, I'm not standing on an empty soap box when doing so... my box is rather full e.g. I've earned the right to puff out my chest here and there. Especially when I get very tired of hearing the same old song and dance by youngsters thinking themselves a veteran showman when they've yet started shaving.

Most of you know me well enough to know that I do give kudos when and where they are due. Even those that I've had "heated" discussions with get my thumbs up and endorsement when their genius shines through. At the same time I do call a spade a spade and toss all modes of Political Correctness off to the side. CASE IN POINT... the punk that exposed the Self-Tying Shoe Lace on YouTUBE/MySpace this past week. My comment was that I hoped some young magician kicked is ignorant little butt for doing so to which I had several "mothers" get in my face over... sorry, but the kid is hurting my trade he deserves to be taught a lesson

As to our forum's latest 30 post a day contributor... well, believe it or not he's doing more or less the same thing at the same level on other boards... cut & paste is such a great way of accomplishing such but the proficiency and prolific levels in which these posts are appearing are rapidly creating the kind of negative impact this lad isn't expecting and probably wasn't projecting (considering).

Now I've not given names in that I don't want what I've said to be seen as an exclusive butt chewing, as my pappy used to say, "If the guilt fits, wear it."

In other words, own up to it and do something about it... the right something, such as changing your attitude and actions so you aren't painting yourself into a corner and looking the dweeb.

But hey... what do I know

I have to both agree and sympathise.

Again, naming no names, but on checking the 'View All Posts Since Your Last Visit' button this morning (the method by which I usually keep up with new posts), I see a certain member's name crop up no less than THIRTEEN TIMES (and there's only 18 new posts for me to view!).

From a purely personal point of view, I'm getting pretty sick of seeing this person's name.

If they were posting points of any real interest, it'd be a different matter entirely...sadly, though, they're not, and it's getting to the stage where the amount of posts - both from, and about - this member is damaging the usefulness of this board for me

robstanley1 wrote:I have to both agree and sympathise.

Again, naming no names, but on checking the 'View All Posts Since Your Last Visit' button this morning (the method by which I usually keep up with new posts), I see a certain member's name crop up no less than THIRTEEN TIMES (and there's only 18 new posts for me to view!).

From a purely personal point of view, I'm getting pretty sick of seeing this person's name.

If they were posting points of any real interest, it'd be a different matter entirely...sadly, though, they're not, and it's getting to the stage where the amount of posts - both from, and about - this member is damaging the usefulness of this board for me

I fully agree. I sent a rather lengthy PM to a certain user several days ago outlining this very problem in depth, why it was a problem, what to do about it, and in reply I got a short one line message saying "OK I will do that thanks". No hint of discussion, questioning, nothing. It didn't even seem like he read my message properly and fully understood what I was saying.

The problem is that people keep feeding his ego by responding to his posts.

They are ludicrous and deserve to be treated as such. I think he must actally be delusional with some of the stuff he writes. Lets all just try to ignore him, he might just go away and bother someone else.

Nicely worded by the way Craig. Do us all a favour and never get yourself bogged down in the mire of Political Correctness. It is strangling free speach and making everyone look over their shoulder whenever they say anything. If you want any help kicking butts, I am your man!

As usual, Craig has the gift of laying the words and wisdom down and I'm an admirer of his skill.

The person in question could have so much more time to devote to study if he could keep away from the key board.

One question though, why is everyone skipping around the issue by not naming the person in question when we all know that we're referring to the young Michael Krass?

Reading the posts from the more experienced members here on TM it appears that a number of us have posted sound advice about his posting habits in a polite and constructive manner. The growing number of posts is testament to the lack of understanding that Michael's has regarding people skills. If he disregards his audience in the way that he appears to disregard everything else then I am sure that he will have a rocky future.

Very nicely put Craig.

dat8962 wrote:One question though, why is everyone skipping around the issue by not naming the person in question when we all know that we're referring to the young Michael Krass?

IMO he's not the only one.

magicforfun wrote:Very nicely put Craig.

dat8962 wrote:One question though, why is everyone skipping around the issue by not naming the person in question when we all know that we're referring to the young Michael Krass?

IMO he's not the only one.

Seconded!
Quality over quantity.

I'm relatively new to the forums here but despite wishing to encourage talent I have found myself deliberately ignoring some of the threads due to incessant pointless one line replies, personal differences etc. There is obviously one prime offender but there are a couple of others not too far behind and I don't think we need a witch-hunt or a scapegoat.

These forums have plenty of scope for slight off topic asides, humour, daftness (from time to time) and even some heated 'debate' as well as the mainstay topics but as with all forums all users need to remember that just because we can type it does not mean that others will be interested in reading it.

I'm sure those of us who are slightly older can recall our enthusiasms and how we may or may not have controlled them and take that into consideration before entering a thread such as this. I think that some may miss the important message in Craigs post that what you write here can come back and haunt you. Once it's public domain it's around forever as there will always be someone who keeps a copy of posts! Equally, if you get a bad reputation, no matter how skilled you are in what you profess, people will only go by the reputation. That is one of those universal facts of life, even if the reputation is not deserved.

I hope that those who have been spending so much of their time at the keyboard (on this forum and others) do continue to post but before hitting 'send' stop and consider whether they really need to send 'that' post. Does it add to the conversation? Is it quality or just quantity? I don't believe there are any prizes or special kudos for having a high post count but if threads like this are on the go and you feel you may be one of the people being pointed to please take heed. It's your reputation and people here are looking out for you even if some word it more bluntly than others.

Quality vs Quantity Post but try to put some thought into it if you wish to be taken seriously, especially by those here who appear to have considerable experience to call upon.