Do you think the Café would be a better place if we all agreed and slapped each other on the back even if we did not agree.

Is this really what magicians helping magicians is?

I personaly don't think so . But recently I have had people say I am trolling because I dissagree or don't like something they do. Now I do give legitimate reasons for my views based on my 30 plus years performing .

I like the Café the way it is maybe its a little over moderated but I think we all learn more from debate than back slapping
Phil

Phil, I have read your posts and feel you were not being negative or critical. You were expressing a view I did not agree with, but doing so in a reasonable manner.

Dissent is always needed. Negativity is not. You were dissenting. Some of your critics were being negative. They - I was about to write that they know who they are. But of course they don't. They think they are the saints.

Shouting "troll" at anyone who disagrees with you is pretty lame, I think. And also, it's pretty trolly, ironically.

Both yourself and Tony are never rude or personal when stating your opinions. I'm perfectly happy to disagree with either of you on a subject and know it will be taken just as that; a different opinion from a fellow professional.

Thanks for your support,
It seems the Café agreed with me about the unfair polling as the thread is now removed
Phil

As I tell my wonderful wife, if we always agreed one if us would not be needed.

As a teen in a bully workshop I facilitated said, online gives some a sense of anonymity and power.
I agreed. Control, power and the need to be right is a strong addiction for many.

It has been on my character defect list in the past.

Brain storming on line or with live people is a great tool in our bag of tricks. Some might try to do it with legends/master minds of the past.
That is for discussion on another forum.

Harris
Who smiled when someone commented recently, that my prose was a bit hard to follow at times.
I mentioned that to my wife, who smiled and said he's ahead if he can follow you at all.

I must say that this is a side of both of my friends Tony and George that I have never seen before. Phil thanks for getting my request for assistance deleted you are a real pal. LOL

I've seen many similar poll requests on the Magic Café that were not removed. It is more likely the thread was removed because someone has an ax to grind with Al. Well, I'm glad I had the chance to vote for you Al. You deserve it!

LOL, I voted for you, Al. I missed all the debacle but I did see Philip's original post and thought it a fair point. I didn't agree with it because, in my opinion, it's just one of those useless web awards that is designed to get everyone posting on Facebook and forums for votes to get traffic for that site! Therefore you're only doing what everyone else is doing.

I'm guessing the people who started calling him a troll for voicing his opinion got your thread deleted, Al.

How is something uncalled for fair?

Fair to who? Philip or Al?


Tom

Fair as in reasonable.

He was concerned about the integrity of an action and voiced that concern.

Tom ,
I really don't see why you think my post was uncalled for .

If there was a vote in your home town / county for the best entertainer .
Do you honestly think it fair to post on the Café for everyone to vote for you just because you are a magician.
Most having never seen your act . Some from different countries! Before someone says "well everyone does it"
Does that make it ok ?

Ask someone who downloads pirate magic DVDs
I bet they say but everone else does it
phil

"A friend in need is a friend indeed"

I thank my friends Ken, Tom, DynoMike, and George (I don't really care what sort of underwear you wear George)

Since you are all facebook friends of mine we'll chat again in a much happier space soon. LOL

Al's request for a vote was fair. I voted and hope he wins. But Phils responses was equally valid, and not expressed in any !@#$%y manner. The criticism of him is uncalled for. We need to accept that differing viewpoints can coexist on harmony. And some people should stop stirring Up trouble.

Al, the request for a vote was not deleted because of what Philip said, but because of the fuss Mike subsequently made over the matter. Let us know how you get on. Fingers crossed you win.

Phil,

I understand what you saying. Really I do. I use to feel the same way.

But with that reasoning, before anyone could vote fairly they would need to go see ALL the acts in the contest. According to you, it's not ok to just vote for a friend. But that's exactly what you do in a contest like this.
This is not like a 'talent' show where everyone is judged solely on talent alone. This is more about who has the most fans. Contestants don't enter this contest, they are nominated with the assumption that they can round up a lot of votes.


Anyways, it's no big deal. We win some and we lose some.

Tom

I would be remiss if I did not also thank my old friend Tony, Kimmo, Harris, and the Jolly one for all of your support. It is good to know that I still have some friends here.

Al, you're supposed to do the thank you speech after you win the award.

To Phil, George and Tony... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0

Nuff said.

Mike, that sort of schoolyard immature response is why Al's post got removed. It is also why I tent to take your posts less seriously than I take other guys.

You're trolling is coming along marvelously, old fellow, keep trying and you might actually be able to use your own thoughts and words to do it.