For a few years now I've been thinking quite seriously about the ramifications of the shake-up taking place in the music industry. The invention of recorded sound started an entirely new industry: recorded music. And this industry became big--very big. From Bing to Elvis to the Beatles to Michael Jackson, there were billions of dollars to be made on something which historically was something entirely different. Music was something to be performed and experienced "live". Sure, I like recorded music as much as anyone. But there has always been something a bit fishy about it. Music as a communal experience is something else. Something superior? I think so. Maybe not morally, but esthetically.

Today the music industry is in its death throws. Major artists are now thinking of the recordings as promotional items for their concerts. Prince gave his last CD away with precisely that in mind. At the lower levels of the industry, indie and alternative music use recorded music primarily to promote themselves as well. It would seem that music is returning to "live". I realize that we will always have recorded music. But the billions of dollars earned primarily by superstars and their record companies will soon be a thing of the past. (I think.) Musical recordings--except for a very small niche--will serve to promote or remember our favorite musicians and performances.

Now, why am I saying this in a magic forum? Because I think that many of the problems we discuss in the Right and Wrong forum have one very simple common source: magic being "recorded". To record magic in books or videos or DVDs or Youtube all have this in common: the magic is no longer live.

Not only is this problematic from an esthetic stand point, but from an ethical one as well. For here, exposure begins, intentional or not. A book can be disseminated to the uninitiated. A video can be watched repeatedly. The latter may be a good learning tool. Well, it *is* a good learning tool--for laymen as well as magicians. So many of our discussions of what is ethical have a flawed premise: we talk about the ethics of ownership and secrets as if the *medium* itself were not an ethical issue.

I propose that the medium *IS* ethically questionable. Secrets recorded--whether in writing or on video, and even without the secrets being intentionally revealed--are the beginning of the slippery slope towards uncontrolled exposure. I also propose that the medium is esthetically questionable--it takes away from what should by its nature be a live performance art.

Of course, Pandora's box will not close by itself. We must close it. We must bring about the return of the live performance as the focal point of all our artistic energy. Instead of being jealous of David Copperfield or fretting about Youtube exposure, we have to develop a superior experience.

(I know, I know...we're not going to easily provide a superior experience to David Copperfield. But that's not really my point. My point is that we *CAN* provide a superior experience to his TV specials. Or at least some of you can. I'm still in my fantasy/planning stage of what I think I will be able to do in the future. But that's another story.)

So, what do y'all think?

Jeff

I agree. Magic is a live art. I work primarily in theatre and constantly come across the same issue - that of comparing stage to screen. For me there's no comparison; the live event is superior, but others would disagree (usually those who worship money and technology). Luckily, there's a host of people, young and old out there who agree with me, and continue to come out to live events, continue to enjoy being in the same room with a bunch of strangers and sharing an experience, continue to believe that truth and happiness is found by direct contact with others, not at arm's length, alone in your living-room or in the dark staring at a shining flashing light ...

This is good news for magic, which is only heightened when there isn't a camera lens between the performer and the audience. How many times have you heard the line "I've seen magic on TV of course, but it's just not the same."

When an audience gasps together, when the hairs on their necks stand up, when everyone's minds suddenly go blank because everything they believe in is wrong - there's nothing like it - for all of us involved.

There are phases the public goes through. Times change. 12 years ago, hose parties were in. 7 years ago they were not.

I believe with all the travel restrictions and hastle flying that house parties will make a long term comeback. I think performers would be smart to add "Home Party Specialist" to their advertising.

I'm having some luck with catering companies refering me and I give them 20 percent BUT if you have the skills to book larger venues you will be better off.

Hose... should be H O U S E, sorry

Don't knock a hose party till you've had one!

Jay, you shouldn't have corrected yourself. I was all set for google and urban dictionary and stuff, and would have probably wasted an hour looking for it.

Does anyone else remember the expression "hoser", as in "you guys are a bunch of hosers"?

Us Canadians sure remember that phrase you hoser.