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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote: So you see, in reality, I was not going in circles. I was merely referencing a word that you apparently did not grasp or comprehend the meaning or implications of.On 2004-01-13 08:09, mithrandir wrote:
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
First, last, and always you must love the audience and make it your work to please them.
What magicians have in common is the vehicle of magic. Even working the same stage together in the same show, we each have a different audience although we are in the same theater with the same people at the same time. We can only be the "worlds greatest" to our own audience. The others will either never see us work or never be "our" audience. It is a choice: THEIRS! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Texas Worker New user Kerrville Texas 55 Posts |
If you think your second best, then you are! I approach every perfomance as I am the best. I approach every get together as if can teach something great, and if you have something to teach me even better. Dante was known as one of the best of his time. At a hotel an amatuer came up to him and asked how many tricks he knew. At which Dante asked how many the amatuer knew. The amatuer said that he knew thousands. To which Dante reply that he knew 15, but he does them very well.
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kihei kid Inner circle Dog House 1039 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-01-13 12:00, Neale Bacon wrote: I'm not going to say you are the greatest Neale, but after that quote from the Wizard of Oz and the fact you are more concerned about your audience... IMHO you are terrific.
In loving memory of Hughie Thomasson 1952-2007.
You brought something beautiful to this world, you touched my heart, my soul and my life. You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again “my old friend”. |
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Curtis Kam V.I.P. same as you, plus 3 and enough to make 3498 Posts |
One thing I have learned is that no matter how dull, inexperienced, or just plain bad a magician is, there is always someone for whom that guy (or gal) is the greatest magician that person has ever seen. I'm not talking about family members or loved ones. I'm saying that all who perform, no matter how well or poorly, are remembered by someone. And although we may not even know who that person is, I'll bet that each of us is the "world's greatest magician" to at least one other person.
I've given up on greatness. I'm now taking my lead from the albums of piano music advertised on late night T.V., and billing myself as "The World's Most Beloved Coin Magician".
Is THAT a PALMS OF STEEL 5 Banner I see? YARRRRGH! Please visit The Magic Bakery
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
If there is anything great about me as a magician, it is that I can take small tricks, sometimes really odd tricks that most magicians would think were trivial, and turn them into beautiful pieces of magic that mystify people of all types and all ages. I don't make money from it, and my name may never appear in a magic book, but I love doing it, and people love seeing it.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
This is not the way to be the "greatest" magician in the world, but it will make you a BETTER magician:
Go through your act. Find the weakest trick you have. Drop it from you act. There, you've just improved your act -- and you didn't have to do any work at all! |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Wasn't that the suggestion that Dariel Fitzgee originally made in his famous book?
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Justin Craddock Regular user buffalo,ny 127 Posts |
I think that you cannot say someone is the world’s greatest magician because no matter how many people believe it, it is still just an opinion. You just have to look at someone’s accomplishments to decide. Also many people think that Houdini was the greatest, when he wasn't necessarily the greatest but the most known. So greatness is an opinion not a fact. Like Doc Eason said people may say that you are the greatest magician in the world because they are speechless or trying to get rid of you or simply has nothing else to say.
"When a performance is over, What remains"
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Justin,
So what do you think of your own magic? Can you be honest and still not get into the "swelled head" category? From the first time I started this thread their was a vast misunderstanding of what I was asking. I certainly did not mean for people to get into vain boasting, and pompous self glory, but I was simply trying to help the down trodden. Instead, people got all huffy and mad, and I got flamed. It was partially my fault, as I should have better phrased the question. The idea for the question came to me when I read a post from another user who asked the prodding question "Am I really a magician?" Apparently, someone had criticized his magic, and he really took it to heart, to the point where he was pleading to members of this forum for an affirmation of his worth. I'm sure he is not the only one. Anyway, this broke my heart. I felt for him. So then, good hearted Doug posted the question as a way for guys like him to think about his magic in a new light, and perhaps give himself a pat on the back, and perhaps lift himself up by the boot straps, and gain a fresh perspective. I wanted to be a help and a blessing. Instead I got flamed. Life is funny isn't it? Anyway, all I can say is geeesh! Give me a break fellas! I never implied that any one should have a bloated opinion of themselves as a magician, only to put things in perspective for the down trodden among us. If we don't care for one another as a brotherhood, then who will?
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Doug,
There is an expression that states: The same fire that melts butter makes steel strong. I think in a nutshell it's telling us that while some may be crushed by criticism others become stronger as a result. History tells us that many superstars could have been defeated earlier in their career if they did not follow their heart. Elvis Presley was one - as he had been told he couldn't sing and would never make it in the business. Einstein was told he was a dummy when he was still a youngster in school. There are many stories like that out there. Then again, anyone of us whom have watched American Idol have seen some that really believe they have talent when unfortunately that's not always the case. I know I'm laying out both sides here and each one of us has to judge how much merit to place on the criticism received. If the person is an expert in the field they may have a point, and on the other hand they may motivate the person so much that it does effect their performance in the future. Constructive criticism is a good thing - gently pointing out what needs to be worked on but at the same time also letting the person know their strong points. That's the kind everyone should look forward to. I look forward to this kind of critique and would not feel insulted if it were presented to me in this way. I also am motivated so much more when someone has said, "you can't do this". (I love to prove them wrong.) Is it just me? What you did Daffydoug, and some may have misunderstood was commendable as you were trying to help out. The motivation you had was not so that people could brag but to encourage members to see their own worth. Least I think that's what you were trying to say in your last post. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Chrystal |
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Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
Well Daffydoug, I wouldn't say you got "flamed"...I mean I know that I for one was pretty harsh on you, but then so were some of your replies...
I think I understand better now your sentiments, and you were moved out of a desire to make people feel better. That is a very nice thing to do, but unfortunately, I still think it is an unhealthy one. For you see, we can't coddle each other into believing that we will all someday be great magicians. I understand that people have doubts, I myself have had them many a time. But unfortunately, if someone is going to be an Artist, ESPECIALLY a performing Artist, it is important to be able to handle criticism without running to someone who will automatically tell you that you are great. In other words, if someone tells you your show sucks, you can blow him off! If two people tell you your show sucks, you might start to wonder, and if three tell you, you might just suck! Whereas if someone is always telling you that you are great and not to worry about what people say, you may be doing yourself harm in the long run. That's all I'm saying. I do not think that you have done anything wrong, in fact it was a very kind idea, but I think it is again better not to do. But then, I'm one of a few people in the world who think the whole concept of "self-esteem" is dangerous. :stout: |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-02-15 12:28, Chrystal wrote: Chrystal, Thank you, you got it precisely right! Mithrandir, What you said about handling criticism is correct, and if several people tell you your show sucks, then you should definitely be checking into some serious improvement. And as to coddling each other, well I'm certainly not for that. What I was thinking was not coddling, but more along the lines of encouraging, edifying, and the like. And no, I do not believe that we all will reach the status of Greatest Magician in the world, (I know I won't), and I certainly don't want to mislead anybody into that false hope. My concern, rather, is for those who just need a hand from a fellow magician to just make it through the day, perhaps. I'm not sure what your views on self esteem are, but let me state that I live in a rather small town. Over the last few weeks, I have seen first hand what a lack of balanced self-esteem can do to any human being. To be specific, I have seen and witnessed (not personally, of course) a rash of suicides in this small town that exceeds the number we have ever seen before. And I am talking about young kids, girls and boys, grown men and others. These have shocked this town. In all of them, there has been a common denominator: poor self image, and low self-esteem. I've watched it put young pretty young girls’ necks in a noose. It's a deadly serious thing. And no human is immune. So when I see a brother on life's path struggling with esteem issues, the altruistic part of my heart reaches out and does what it can to help. That is how I treat my fellow man. That is how I live on a daily basis. It's the right thing to do, so I do it. And that is my motivation. Besides, the forum says at the top "Magicians helping other Magicians!" Is their room in the art of magic and the brotherhood of magic for guys with big hearts? I hope so, or I will be oddly out of place, and strangely out of my element. I know, some say I'm just strangely out of my mind! LOL Hey, maybe they’re right!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
I am not belittling generosity, or having a large heart. Again I must stress that your actions seem motivated by a good cause. All I'm saying, is there is a perception among many people today, that if you feel good about yourself, you can accomplish anything. That is a fine sentiment. But the reality is that it causes people who have no trade, and no skills, no money, or whatever, essentially, people who aren't succeeding, need to get a job, and work hard, and forget about "self-esteem" it is causing people like this to perpetually wait for something to fall into their laps! "Oh when will my ship come in". Idealism is very nice; I'm simply trying to be realistic in a brutal world. In magic we are assuming that everyone can be a magician. No such assumptions are made for other arts. Some people simply do not have the "talent" or disposition for them. I'm not saying that I do, I'm simply suggesting we are doing a disservice to people by suggesting that we all have the potential to be great magicians.
This being said, I understand it's great to make people feel good! I compliment people all the time on things, even if it's not 100% true. I'm simply trying to be a realist, as I said. The only concept of self-esteem that I truly abhor, is the new movement to love oneself. This "self-love" seems very close to selfishness for my tastes. It used to be that we were supposed to love family, friends, God, whatever it was that you believed in. These days filial piety is almost non-existent. There is an attitude of "ME, ME, ME" in the world today. It is for these reasons that I caution you, though it could be said I'm over reacting to your post. If I am overreacting, I only ask that you look at things from my point of view! Try spending time with people my age! My peers are so dripping in self-absorption that it is difficult to hold rational conversations! I know all of us teenagers are supposed to be somewhat arrogant, but honestly, the capacity of the modern youth to shift the blame for any incident, no matter how trivial to someone else, is astounding! Self-preservation is the number one rule. And yet Daffydoug, as you sadly mention, we kill ourselves more now than any time in history. My only comment on that is that teen suicides have gone up sharply since they've started harping on self-esteem in the schools. Kids didn't used to be allowed to kill themselves, if they mentioned something like that, they would be silenced. These days, and trust me, more than one friend of mine has attempted suicide, it is partially about getting attention. And since we are taught we are all special, kids think that by trying to kill themselves they will garner attention, and be treated as though they were special. I'm sorry to seem so jaded, to go so far, but you've touched a nerve sir! I know every young person thinks his generation is different, and it's not always true, but some of things just did not exist in the fifties and sixties! I've seen too many friends in therapy, drugged by their own parents, attempting suicide...and I think the whole self-love movement is at the root of the problem, not the solution, as we would be led to believe. :stout: |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Seeing things from your point of view is not difficult. After all, I lived it for seven years, myself.
Now I'm almost fifty. The one thing I've learned in the twenty years since I was a teenager is this: I don't know anything. You see, when I look at the vast universal body of knowledge that exists, the little I know becomes a little pin point by contrast. I've touched on a nerve, you inform me. Believe me with all the sincerity I posess I can tell you that my nerves have also been touched by teen suicide. And by the way, your posts demonstrate a high I.Q., and intelligence that belie your years. Until you revealed your age group, I was convinced that you were much older.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
Thank you, sir. Quite a turnaround...I believe earlier in this thread you were telling me how I quite clearly did not comprehend anything you were saying, but it seems we understand each other better now.
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Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
Peter Marucci wrote:
Quote:
This is not the way to be the "greatest" magician in the world, but it will make you a BETTER magician: This advice worked so well for my act I kept applying it over and over again. Now there is nothing at all in my act, and it’s perfect! (I do get your point, I just couldn’t resist writing that. If I have any one fear about performing, it’s that my act really would be better if I eliminated everything!) There are a lot of semantic arguments here, and almost everyone is correct in some context. I’d summarize DaffyDoug’s original post with a quote I’ve used for years, “You’re unique, just like everyone else!” (I think I will change my signature to that right now!)
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Thankyou Bill! You just said exactly what I was trying to convey, but just couldn't really come up with the perfect phrasing to say it. That is why, I suppose, many folks on this thread got hot under the collar.
But, "Your'e unique" Just about says it as it as eloquently as I ever could have desired. Thanks again Bill! Your'e a pal!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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