This is no fun

[GreyWanderer]

What should we discuss about magicians when we can't reveal any secrets? (;

[rustypouch]

Perhaps there should be some sort of protected forum for magicians, both professional and amateur.

The qualifications for entry could be some sort of question where the answer would not be known by those who don't pratice the art.

[GreyWanderer]

I guess that would make this a really small forum. Anyway, I guess some magic tricks are so simple they are considered public knowledge.

[hal bidlack]

Originally posted by rustypouch
Perhaps there should be some sort of protected forum for magicians, both professional and amateur.

The qualifications for entry could be some sort of question where the answer would not be known by those who don't pratice the art.

that's an interesting idea. I can't get to it for a while, but please remind me of it later. I am not sure exactly what our software can do right now in that area.

I see this forum as a place to talk about magic, since Mr Randi is a world-class conjuror. But not as a place to talk about, well, you know. :)

[Supercharts]

Is it OK to ask questions if the answers don't reveal anything about magic?

[hal bidlack]

Originally posted by Supercharts
Is it OK to ask questions if the answers don't reveal anything about magic?

absolutely. In fact, it's ok to ask any question, it's just not ok to reveal the secret.

[rustypouch]

Just don't be surprised if the answer to 'How did they do that?' is 'magic.'


:D

[tamiO]

My Dad used to pull quarters from behind my ear.

Anyone know how he did that?

[Dogwood]

Yes.

:)

[Blue Monk]

I had an ex=girlfriend that could make my paycheck disappear.

Never did figure that one out.

[Doubt]

How long before we get a thread about famous bad magicians?

On possible tell of a bad magician is that they spend more time on their hair than on their tricks…..

Not naming any names here…..
:D

[Dogwood]

Originally posted by GreyWanderer
What should we discuss about magicians when we can't reveal any secrets? (;

You know, this does sound a bit odd coming from someone named after THE modern wizard archetype.

[renata]

Originally posted by rustypouch
Perhaps there should be some sort of protected forum for magicians, both professional and amateur.

The qualifications for entry could be some sort of question where the answer would not be known by those who don't pratice the art.

On Ian Rowland's site there is a protected area for magicians. To get in, you have to answer such a question. It is a great idea- it kept me out :)

[Kimpatsu]

I don't see why secrets can't be disclosed, as even Penn and Teller (special guests at next years Amaz!ng Meeting!) do it on their TV shows. So does the masked magician, the purpose being to goad professional conjurers into creating newer and better illusions, rather than relying on the same old stale ones. Put another way, why can't we discuss what has already been revealed elsewhere (http://www.geocities.com/jhnsnoot/frameset6.html) on the Internet.

[Dogwood]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
I don't see why secrets can't be disclosed, as even Penn and Teller (special guests at next years Amaz!ng Meeting!) do it on their TV shows.

Pen and Teller reveal very basic tricks that can be found in any children's book of magic as a basis for their routines. They don't reveal how they're actually doing it, they just make you think they do. :)

So does the masked magician,

Among the most hated and reviled people in the magic community.



the purpose being to goad professional conjurers into creating newer and better illusions, rather than relying on the same old stale ones.

Their purpose is to make money by giving away secrets because they don't have the talent to make it without masks on.


Tricks aren't just hoarded secrets. Many are also intellectual property. I respect that.

[NoZed Avenger]

Originally posted by Kimpatsu
I don't see why secrets can't be disclosed, as even Penn and Teller (special guests at next years Amaz!ng Meeting!) do it on their TV shows. So does the masked magician, the purpose being to goad professional conjurers into creating newer and better illusions, rather than relying on the same old stale ones.

The purpose was for a mediocre talent to cash in and make money for effects created and perfected by others. . . Not that he actually revealed much modern stuff, anyway, buit the idea was -not- to "push" performers into new, dizzying heights of magic, it was for a quick buck.

[Rastelli]

I'm a pro magician and the revealing of tricks bothers me not at all, for several reasons.

It is neccessary in order to inspire budding performers, and lots of stuff is available in books on library shelves anyway (which is where I picked it up myself).

Most people who seek out secrets must be interested in the subject, and if that tiny fraction that just wants to "bust magicians" (and I'm not sure such a sub-group actually exists) isn't really interested enough to actually remember the details. And if, while watching a magic show, they remember that once they found out the secret to this or that trick, what are they going to do? Sit there and nod smugly? So what?

As to the predictable argument that revealing secrets ruins magic performances for people, I would point to the TV shows that reveal secrets of cinema special effects, and mention that these seem not to have sated the public's appetite for movie spectacles. In fact, I think it makes them appreciate it more than ever.

Still, I will respect the moderators' request for secrecy within this forum.

Rastelli

A proud member of the prestidigitory industry

[Diamond]

Why can't we create ideas for some new illusions here?

[Rastelli]

Diamond:
<Why can't we create ideas for some new illusions here?>

I've got one: the magician reaches down his own throat and pulls himself inside out.

Rastelli

[Cain]

I too do not understand this rule. Does a google search check archived posts on this forum? People would only discover this board after visiting the general site for another reason.

A simple password question would be nice (preferably not one easily answered by searching the Net). One magician's site I remember visiting awhile ago asked "who's known as the 'Professor'?"

[Andonyx]

Originally posted by renata


On Ian Rowland's site there is a protected area for magicians. To get in, you have to answer such a question. It is a great idea- it kept me out :)

You know that is super easy to crack by search engine.

It says on Rowland's site specifically that it is designed NOT to be able to be found by search. But I typed in a couple of unusual words into a specific search engine, and BOOM! First entry that came up.

[rustypouch]

Why I have issues with revealing the secrets of tricks is that most people who ask are not interested in magic. They just feel insulted that they were fooled, and will often tell others the secret.

What most pepole don't realise is how much pratice goes into learning a new trick. For a moderatly difficult card trick, sometimes I pratice for an hour a night for a fortnight before I show it to someone, and by telling the secret I effectivly negate all the effort I've put into learning the trick.

By the time I show a trick to someone, I have it to the point where it looks 'easy,' and pepole think that there's nothing to a trick.

I have no problem with revealing secrets to people who genuinely want to learn, it's the people who can't stand not knowing that I don't tell.

[SteveW]

The question for joining the protected forum for real magicians should be:

What is the use of women?










Answer: You can't do the sub trunk without 'em.