I've deliberately not voted in that I do not see that "grey" area that best fits my position.
When I first brought in the idea of an "exclusive" mentalism section I only intended it to be an area that allows for discussion on that topic, not some kind of "elitist" category (as some have referred to it) that is of exclusive membership. My goal as it were, was to have an area that was topic specific and little other, making it easier for visitors to find a category that covered the things they were interested in... in this case "Mentalism" but then other forums have similar breakdowns for Cards, Close-up, Coins, Bizarre, Street Magic, etc. it's just a category -- a specialty field of study.
No, I do not believe that just everyone should be involved; if you have little to no knowledge on the topic why do you want to be there?
I'm not known for posting on threads about card magic or street magic or any of that other stuff. My posts are very restricted for the most part, catering to the two chief fields I am adept at; Grand Stage, which I did for over 25 years and Mentalism/Bizarre Magick which has consumed most of my life the past 18 or so years (the latter being very much common to my former incarnation as an Illusionist).
I do find it humorous and even a tad bit childish, the amount of whining done on this topic within these forums... I mean TM in particular, in that you do not see such contempt expressed elsewhere where categories for this and that type of magic are typical. I almost feel as if it is but a small handful of malcontents simply wanting to stir a particular pot more than it being a justified issue. Individuals who do not comprehend the value of secrecy and keeping the various fields of magic neatly divided for the sake of quality within that aspect of the art vs. the potpourri element we've seen unfolding over this past decade; MAGICIANS justifying ad infinitum, their right to do "whatever tricks" they want and "how" they want, lending little to no regard to the more subtle keys and psychological paradigms that distinguish one form of presentation from the other, let alone how an improper course of presentation by one person hurts the rest.
About a decade ago a single but clever piece was introduced on a TV spot; a demonstration of divination, if you would. A knife blade set beneath a paper cup, mixed, etc. you all know the bit... it was dynamite! It built suspense and it worked well FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
Today it is such a replicated, ripped-off and cheap'ned TRICK that is being done by MAGICIANS everywhere, that it no longer holds any real value to the serious Mentalist. Just like MENTAL EPIC or the MOAB, it has become lost to us because of the selfishness of the magic buff who believe that just because he can afford it, he/she should be allowed to do it as they want... but a white faced clown doing MOAB in a kiddie birthday party show is seen only as "Wrong" by those dedicated to Mentalism as an art form in and of itself, NOT the magic buffs that hold to this mode of thought... sadly, the clown thing really happened by a former VP of a major Magic society here in the states.
There has existed a Rift between the Magician & the Mentalist for most of the past century in that the one wants to see it all as being "just tricks" while the other understands the value of presenting it under a format that creates realism and, as the old timers say, "Invokes belief". This is something Stephan Minch and many others address time and again, referring to the refusal to work that angle as "Magician's Guilt" and how it proves, time and again, as the downfall to those that just dabble in this side of the craft... the mentalist being willing to do whatever he/she must do for the sake of creating the state of things miraculous and holding to the only illusion that matters -- their image as a miracle worker, not so much the showman.
I can't possibly delve into the the over-all depths that this topic can meander into, but leave it to say that it is always wiser to let those who specialize in one given field to have their "safe" areas; a place where challenge is less common as the result of misunderstanding... something that is very common place in this forum and most forums in which magic and mentalism get mixed in together; Magicians simply do not understand why there is a difference. I'm not saying this to be elitist or to put people down or to say that one is better than the other; it is merely a point in fact. The two arts are KINDRED but not one in the same; Ventriloquism, Juggling, Knife Throwing, Rope Spinning... all of these are kindred art forms as well in that they all involve manipulative skill as well as deception elements but they are not one in the same thing as Magic. Respect those differences and understand how the nuance of the one differs and requires a different course of approach, that's all.
I try my best to practice what I preach, which goes back to why I don't share very often in threads that have little to nothing to do with my primary fields of study. If we all did this then I don't think we'd have many problems with a more open sense of discussion. It is however, when people loose their perspective and try to tell a veteran of a given field that he/she don't know what they are talking about or that they are con-artist for doing things a certain way, etc. This is where we have "issues" and they exist purely as the result of someone not being read sufficiently on, in this instance MENTALISM and its practice through the ages vs. trickery and showmanship... again, things are related but not one in the same.
Hope I've helped somehow in clarifying but as I said, not enough room for spelling things out, nor enough time.
