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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
Let me guess, Harvey. A replacement for Viagra?
Seriously, two comments. I have always had phenomenal results with Penomenom, actually in excess of what was advertised, so have never understood why some would call it overpriced. I understand if you are one of the folks that, for whatever reason, the effect doesn't work at all that it is natural to be not only disappointed but downright p***ed off. But I have also found that some people who told me that it didn't work for them were not following the directions accurately or taking the time to develop what is somewhat of a "touch" to make it work. The other complaint that has been frequently voiced at this and other sites, is that the creator took an effect right out of Tarbell and "had the nerve" to sell this secret along with an ungimmicked pen. I couldn't disagree more. To realize that the effect described in Tarbell and elsewhere works with one of the most common pens in existence was a major discovery and worthy of the price of admission if not more. I don't remember the name of Penomenom's creator but he deserves our praise for his discovery and for making it available to the community. Now specifically to the EM Pocket Charger. As I indicated above, I was already getting a much longer "window of opportunity" for performing the effect than that stated in the directions as well as getting more movement. When I added the EM, the movement increased via a quantum leap. Though, I believe it is better to understate the movement - I don't think it is an advantage to have the pen do continuous 360's - I really appreciate the greater options the EM allows me. Also, it lets me be prepared at all times without having to worry about any get ready. Not that the get ready ever posed much of a problem for me in the first place, but it is nice being able to just remove my pen from my portfolio or pocket and be good to go. To sum up, telekinetic movement, with a common household and office object, that allows considerable control over the range and direction of movement, is well worth the price to me. |
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Scott Ocheltree Veteran user 364 Posts |
I have not bought either of these items, but have read enough about them online to be pretty sure I know exactly what it is.
Platt earlier referenced Tarbell. I'm pretty sure this is in Vol. 7. And as to the "charger", there are many common household items which could "increase the power". I think this effect is being carried on by the same force that kept anyone from pointing out the obvious regarding the Emperor's new clothes. Many of those who bought it just don't want to admit they were taken. It's the kind of trick that might warrant publishing in a magazine, but not $25. |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
Scott,
Believe me, I am the first to shout it from the roof tops when I have been taken. I am also conversant in the Emperor's New Clothes phenomenon. In technical terms it is what is known as cognitive dissonance reduction. The last thing I felt was dissonance when I first saw that pen begin to move. It was that really cool feeling that I remember from when I first started practicing magic. When I first moved the pen for others, it was that sense of satisfaction that comes from amazing another person and inducing a state of wonder. This is also an effect that feels like you are performing actual magic. When I have this feeling, it is an easy thing to convey it to others. There is something else at work here. The range of complaints can generally be categorized into two areas if you review previous threads. One, "it doesn't work," and two, "it's an old idea, albeit a good one, but what nerve to charge for it." How can both be true? Perhaps the complaints are being carried by "the emperor's new clothes" rather than support for the effect, in that those who can't make it work are understandably frustrated and those who didn't come up with the application first are jealous? |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Being familiar with the Penomonon principal I didn't purchase the effect, however I did purchase the EM pocket charger. The add stated that it would increase the effect and reliability significantly and it did. I bought the charger for what it did - not for it's raw materials. I have no qualms with the product, I simply reccomend it.
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brownbeauty Regular user 112 Posts |
I live in Southern California, where there is very little humidity. I love my EM pocket charger!
Anybody who is unhappy with their pocket chargers that want to sell, let me know. Thanks, Rudy |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
I live in Cincinnati that has extremely high humidity and have never had a problem. Mine works great.
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Scott Ocheltree Veteran user 364 Posts |
Hi Bill,
I appreciate your points. Perhaps I should play around with this some more, or maybe a good demo might really sell me on it. I just question the ethics of gleaning an interesting idea out of an old book and then selling that one idea for the same price as the whole book. |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
But Scott, that is the origin of so much, if not all, of the magic on the market. I see no ethical conflict with what the creator of Penomenom did. All magic rests on the shoulders of our ancestors so to speak. He realized a previously unrecognized application of an old principle that lifted it to completely new heights. He earned his money and should be getting our gratitude rather than our complaints.
I'll go so far as to say that if someone figures out how to do the effect from what they have read online and then goes and performs the trick without buying it, they are the ones behaving unethically. Now I don't believe you have done this from your post, I am just trying to stress a point. In mentalism, there is a great deal of positive attention being given to a book called Obsidian Oblique by Alain Bellon. The book contains two moves, the first of which is based very clearly on Millard Longman's Acidus Novus. Millard went so far as to write the forward to the book and compliment Alain on his brilliance in taking Acidus Novus to a new level. Al Mann reacted similarly when Millard took Mann's Acidus and created Acidus Novus. No one complained that Millard or Alain just made a small change in an existing routine. They recognized the value. I don't see what is any different with Penomenon. |
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chrismatt Special user Why would you read any of my 978 Posts |
Penomenon has a lot more value (and strength as an illusion) if it is routined into a series of PK-type of effects. Think about combining it with one of those PK pens, as well as the Kennedy reel that works on an automatic timing device. The three tricks will negate the various different methods nicely and create a most mystifying routine.
P.S. A nice silk tie is all I've ever needed to give my pen a good strong charge. Make sure you balance the pen so that it can easily turn with very little friction. The edge of a table (balanced correctly) or top of a bottle works fine.
Details make perfection, but perfection is no detail.
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manipulator Veteran user Houston, Texas 319 Posts |
I have a question: how far away can you be from the pen when you are using EM Pocket Charger?
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Quote: The pen touches the charger before the effect begins--the audience is unaware the charger exists. It is in the pocket (hence the name) from whence you remove the pen.
On 2003-07-10 19:00, manipulator wrote: I recently was contacted by Mark Allen, creator and manufacturer of the EM Pocket Charger. He had read this thread. He explained to me that some friends of his rushed him into production of this item, and that, in fact, there were a "batch" of them that simply did not work. Further, he admitted that the instructions were subpar. Mark sent me a new one with updated instructions, complete with a different (still ungimmicked and readily available) pen and a straw. The new instructions are SIGNIFICANTLY better, and the new charger I received works like a charm--puts an incredible charge on the item. With the new instructions and a working charger, I am MUCH happier. While I still feel $50 for both the EMPC and PENOMENON is too much, the EMPC is, IMO, now worth its asking price. Further, I give kudos to Mark for being willing to take responsibility and admit that the product was not all it should have been and for improving the instructions and quality control of the prop. He admitted his mistakes and took steps to correct them.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
Tip:
I do this effect without costly props... I use some elastic IT to make the pen move. If you know about Ben Harris' Zoom effect then use this principle to make the pen move/animate around. Works everytime... Mats G. Kjellstrom http://www.kjellstrom.info |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
I think manipulator meant that when you use the charger, how far can you be away from the pen during the effect. Does it allow you to do the secret something without having to be as close to the pen as when you don't use the charger? And the answer is yes, somewhere between one and two inches farther away with the charger than without it.
Scott, I'm glad to hear what you shared about Mark. Are these new instructions and gimmick, etc., available to those of us who purchased the original at a significantly lower cost? Or maybe for free? Actually, my charger works fine, at least as far as I know, but I would definitely like to see the improved instructions. I definitely don't think I should have to pay for that when Mark readily admits the original instructions were rushed and subpar. Mats, no you don't do this effect without costly props. You do a different effect (admittedly with its own merits) with a prop that is subject to breakage and what do you do if that happens or if you simply forget to bring your IT. Also, I have a phase in Penomenon where the participant is actually moving the pen all by themself. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think you can do that with IT. |
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manipulator Veteran user Houston, Texas 319 Posts |
Thanks for the answers. That sounds good. I think I will get it.
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Harvey Nerzof Regular user 193 Posts |
[quote]On 2003-07-19 04:40, Scott F. Guinn wrote:
Quote:
Further, I give kudos to Mark for being willing to take responsibility and admit that the product was not all it should have been and for improving the instructions and quality control of the prop. He admitted his mistakes and took steps to correct them. Thanks Mr. Guinn. I will give him kudos too upon replacement of the defective items. H.
Download all reviews at http://magicreviews.tripod.com/HN_Magic_Reviews.PDF
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I don't know whether he'll replace them for everyone or not. As I said, he contacted me and offered; I didn't contact him and ask. It wouldn't hurt to ask him.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Harvey Nerzof Regular user 193 Posts |
I need to update my review here. The "junk" rating was justified by the fact that my gimmick was NOT working: it didn't improve at all the original Penomenon. However, a friend recently showed me his own EMPC: it looked different, and - more importantly - it worked.
Conclusion: Try it before buying... Thanks for the info Mr. Guinn. H.
Download all reviews at http://magicreviews.tripod.com/HN_Magic_Reviews.PDF
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doowopper Elite user 492 Posts |
My EM Pocket Charger works great on plastic straws put at the edge of a tabletop. I put my hand near the straw and that baby takes off (moves a lot), eventually falling off the edge. I am considering Penomenon to use with it.
Richard Forgot to mention in my last post. In addition to plastic straws, I use BIC Round Stic ball point pens (readily available and very cheap) with the charger. I put the pen on a white plastic cap from a plastic prescription container, and that pen moves a lot, at first going round in circles on the cap and then falling off the cap. With the movement I am already getting from a pen with the charger, are there advantages in also buying Penomenon? If so, what would I gain? Thanks. Richard |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Richard. No real advantage in purchasing Penomenon
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bluefred Regular user 108 Posts |
Not really but, psy control of richard osterlind works great!
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