Mr Maven,

Let me start off by admitting that the article I am about to mention is not sitting in front of me, so it is quite possible I will get some of the details wrong.

That being said, a few years ago (6 or 7?) I seem to recall that you editorialized in The Magic Magazine, that you felt it was somehow beneath you to be expected to be friendly and/or courteous with amateurs.

I remember that this article garnered quite a response from the "little people", most of it negative. Yet here you are, going against your own advice right here at The Magic Café.

Is it because the internet has added demensions previously unknown -- making the world so much smaller and all that? -- or perhaps you have just mellowed a little since writing that article?

Regardless, it would be a pleasure to hear your current take regarding the subject of that contentious article.

Chance

And you did get the details wrong.

For anyone who wants to read what Max actually wrote, you can read it here:
http://www.magicmagazine.com/may04/may04extra.html

John LeBlanc
http://www.escamoteurettes.com/blog/

Thanks for that link. That is indeed the article I was thinking of. My question to Max still stands.

After reading Mr. Maven's article, I could take no offence or exception with his views.

Mr. Maven simply pointed out the class distinction that exists between professional circus performers and amateur circus performers and how he felt it wasn’t a bad idea.

Professional magicians should not be expected to share or mingle with those who are not in their league. However, I think that when professional magicians attending a magic convention are drawing from the amateur ranks for book and product sales and lecture dollars, that they need to carefully consider how cool they want to appear to their clientele.

A personal conversation recently came up regarding another magician/mentalist that lectured at a local magic club. The story was that this performer basically snubbed the members of the club after the lecture and post lecture sales. This left a bitter taste in the mouth of these consumers. The hierarchy of the club was soured on this lecturer and I doubt if they would recommend or invite the lecturer back. It was just bad business practice. I think that performers who wish to isolate themselves from the unwashed masses should do exactly that, but then they can’t expect adoration or goodwill from those they snub.

My first recollection of contact with a big name in magic was with Tony Slydini. I was so completely taken back and impressed by his warmth and accessibility. It is a lesson that I have taken into my professional career as a magician. I always remember that audiences or customers don’t really need me, but I do need them.

"Regardless, it would be a pleasure to hear your current take regarding the subject of that contentious article."

John, Carlo, et al... The quote above is how my message ended. I am not asking Mr Maven to defend that article in any manner whatsoever. What I am offering is to give him the chance to bring that discussion up to date if he so chooses. For all we know he has discovered a group of Burmese tattoo artists since that time, whose motto is to patiently co-exist and mingle all other tattooists of the world regardless of wealth or status, causing Mr Maven to change his mind.

Chance

There is a followup on the Parallax article in the June 1996 interview with Mr. Maven. See page 54 for details.

First, I didn't take your initial question as some sort of affront to Max. That article was, in my estimation, provocative rather than contentious in nature. YMMV. It did garner responses and for many months. (Years, too, if you count non-letters to the editor.)

I've said many times before and, considering the topic of this thread, bears repeating: I have, so far as I can recall, never been treated poorly, or in an unfriendly manner by any "name" magician I have ever spoken to. But I also want to mention I have never (intentionally) been disrespectful towards them, either.

It's been my experience that the old saw that you should "treat others the way you wish to be treated" generally works out.

As for the column, Max noted there are differences between amateur performers and professional performers and went on to note some of them. I can't imagine why a reasonable person would argue with the points he made.

Various interpretations of that column, though, are another thing entirely.

John LeBlanc
http://www.escamoteurettes.com/blog/

The original essay was intended to be provocative; to address an assumption that exists in the magic community.

However, my meaning was distorted (which was obviously partly my own fault), and some people decided I had stated a dislike of amateurs. Never said that, never felt that.

The fact that I have consistently (both before and after that essay) participated in conventions, lectured to clubs, and attempted to answer any and all correspondence should indicate that I have not disparaged amateurs. After all, I was one myself, and have good friends who still are.

I've been in magic for almost four years. I am an amateur, and I'm not ashamed of that. I like being the new guy. I like being a student, and hope to be one for the rest of my life. It isn't important to me to be thought of as a peer; I'd much rather a magician look at me and say, "You know, I could really teach him something." Then, if I continue to be the best student that I can be, I might one day give something back to the the Art that has given so much to me.

I recently emailed Max about obtaining an old pamphlet he published years ago. I recieved a quick, courteous, and very nice reply. I'm also a rank amateur, and made that clear in my email to him. Just my .02