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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
The following is an excerpt from the notes accompanying my "Three Secrets Teleseminar" (still available at Lybrary.com) I think it is relevant to several recent threads:
The Third Method I briefly alluded to “The Third Method” in my e-book "The Real Work of Cold Reading." It is a sure-fire way to provide a convincing aura of authenticity about your work. Basically, it is nothing more than letting your intuition run free whenever possible. In other words – get it into your mind that you can really do this stuff and don’t be afraid to try doing it for real as often as possible. I hear the rumble of ethical umbrage arising in the back of the room. Time out for Doctor Crow’s perspective on the matter… Whatever Happened to Mind Readers and all those Seventh Sons? By Robert Delacroix, “Doctor Crow”- The Authentic Crossroads Hoodoo Man™ Nowadays, there are very few “Master Mind Readers,” “Clairvoyants of the Ages,” or even “Psychic Phenoms” left among the ranks of working mentalists. A large majority of performers, referred to as “a new breed of mentalists” by Banachek in his excellent "Psychological Subtleties," have taken the roles of body language experts, masters of subliminal communications and psychological persuasion, memory experts, etc. For the most part, they have adopted the approach once advocated by the late Ned Rutledge – they claim to use their five senses to create the illusion of a sixth. Some actually go so far as to call themselves creators of “mental illusions.” (I am not going to bother including those who specialize in presenting themselves as “psychics,” and later, ostensibly to “educate” and “protect” the public about pseudoscience and fraud, revealing themselves to be mere tricksters – implying, of course, that anyone who claims paranormal powers or takes parapsychology seriously is either deluded, a fraud, or just another “trickster.” I cannot, in good conscience, dignify them with the title of “mentalist.”) The fact that all of these premises come very close to being the truth is, I suspect, one of the reasons they are so popular. There is little to fear from the skeptics’ organizations and no one need feel guilty about deluding the public about the existence of so-called paranormal powers. Some author/performers claim that mentalism is easier to present this way because the premises are more believable. I don’t believe that the issue is quite as simple as that. I’ve no doubt that the so-called “believable” premises can be used effectively, nor do I question the sincerity of those who cannot present mentalism as “mind reading” without feeling guilty. I do disagree with the idea that audiences find the non-paranormal premises to be more “believable.” I think the problem might be that mentalists who do not believe in the possibility of psi simply cannot present “pseudo-psi” believably. While I have no problem whatsoever with the “five senses creating the illusion of a sixth” approach, I fail to see why claiming to be an expert in body language and subliminal perception, etc., is any less phony than claiming to be psychic. (What’s wrong with calling yourself a “mind reader”? Taken literally, “mind reading” simply means knowing what someone is thinking. There is no question that it is a real phenomenon because there are ways, lots of them, to accomplish just that - the simplest being just to ask, “So what’s on your mind?” – or, if you’d like to be a bit more subtle, eavesdrop on him, or peek at his billet, or force him to think of what you want him to think. Or, if you’re up to it, use your intuition.) So why is it that many of the old time stage mind readers, such as Fred Marion, Erik Hanussen, Alexander, etc, had no problem whatsoever claiming all sorts of “powers?” Many might conclude that our forefathers (and mothers) were somehow less ethical than the “new breed.” But that conclusion would overlook who they were. They were show people who understood show business - particularly the business part. They understood that there was –and is, for those who remember it- a thing called “showman’s license.” But, then, in those days show people were part of a different culture than that of mainstream America (and Europe and everywhere else except Moldavia). Being an actor or a showman meant that your job was to entertain people, all the while understanding that they didn’t want to socialize with you or let you marry their daughters. In a way, it was similar to the Romany, or Gypsy, culture. There was, very often, an “us against them” type of mentality that justified, within the show business subculture, seemingly outrageous applications of showman’s license. But as the subculture was absorbed into the mainstream, the ethical dilemmas began to raise their heads… The rubes had taken over the show. - Robert Delacroix aka Dr. Crow ___________________________________________________________ While I am not sure that I agree with everything that Dr. Crow wrote in the previous article. - most of it seems pretty accurate, though - I think that his article suggests that it is time that we stop taking ourselves so seriously. The public is not as stupid as many seem to think, and I don't feel that they really seek to be educated or enlightened by our performances. "The Third Method" simply means to stop thinking like a rube. Pretend you’ve really got it. And then give it all you’ve got. Don’t be afraid to be wrong and don’t be afraid to take chances. And please, would someone tell all those body language and subliminal communications experts to stop wearing headset microphones when they perform? (They create the same impression that “Kardor the Great” makes when he walks on stage with an antenna sticking out of his turban)... Good thoughts, Bob |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Dear Dr. Crow,
No one has said it better.
Dick Christian
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dmoses Inner circle 2261 Posts |
Where's that darn "like" button?
"You're a comedian. You wanna do mankind a service, tell funnier jokes."
TPR by Dave Moses and Iain Dunford T-shirts for Magicians and Mentalists |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Dr. Crow isn't allowed to receive e mail at present, but I will convey your kind words to him on the next visiting day.
Good thoughts, Bob |
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
Bob, you are unethical.
You just do not understand the Wank-o's. They are helping and a post like yours is not. J im H.o.A-X
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-02-11 18:28, Jim-Callahan wrote: J im- I had some Wank-O's for breakfast this morning, along with some fava beans and Chianti. :eek: |
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
You start drinking as early as I do.
But dealing or having Wank-o's that time of day will do it to ya. J I'm
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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bobser Inner circle 4178 Posts |
I really wanted to comment on Bob's excellent post but instead can I just say that you're looking lovely Jim?
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
You can say it Bob, but I am still not going dancing.
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
J im-
I like the new look. Looks like you just won the bullfight. |
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bobser Inner circle 4178 Posts |
Yeah and I'll bet when he dances it's a bit like a bull's a-se in June.
I'm just going by the look you understand. I love it.
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
I love starting threads like this. You never know where they'll end up going.
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Sid Helkule Inner circle Australia 1481 Posts |
None of what Dr.Crow wrote is relevant in the UK.
Thanks Bob, that was a great read. |
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PaulPacific Special user Yes, I used my toes to type all of my 907 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-02-11 18:46, bobser wrote: Bobster, you are a mindreader! I was going to say the SAME THING!!
Blessings on thee, little man,
barefoot boy with cheeks of tan... Outward sunshine; inward joy, Blessings on thee, barefoot boy! :-D |
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bobser Inner circle 4178 Posts |
Naw, I think we were ALL gonna say it.
I've now downloaded the snap of Jim and I'm claiming it's ME in dating chatrooms. Already I've had 11 PM's. 9 of 'em from women.
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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cpbartak Special user Mooresville, NC 941 Posts |
I started reading what you wrote, but there were too many words so I stopped. Let me know when the dvd version comes out (and tell me the exact minute and second that the discussion starts at so I can find it easier). From what I did read, this type of thinking would never go over at the north pole. Penguins and polar bears are much more sophisticated than you stupid, moronic, idiotic, puny americans. They only believe mentalism as performed by someone who claims to be an alien from outer space, and plus its much more ethical. As proof, look at that one guy who is successful at performing it that way. Obviously, if he's doing it that way nobody else could do it any other way and be successful. Get with the times, old man! Stop holding mentalism back like magicians still wearing lederhosen!
Some people hear voices.. Some see invisible people.. Others have no imagination whatsoever.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Actually, lederhosen look great if you're performing the classic "Who's got the Schnitzel?"
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mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts |
I am so sick of hearing "I use NLP" its so booooooooooring! Funnily enough I was thinking of starting up a thread along those lines. But Bob nailed it. I can tell you here in the UK they still eat up the "mind reading" and its so much more powerful and effective than the NLP expert which I believe is more unethical.
And I have to agree with Bobser Jim looks like something out of an Elvis movie. |
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Shrubsole Inner circle Kent, England 2455 Posts |
I use NLP (No Lying Paranormal!)
:lol:
Winner of the Dumbringer Award for total incompetence. (All years)
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Rather than using fake NLP, fake subliminal perception, etc., what not use a legitimate technique such as described by John Lilly in his "Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer." This is one approach that surely passes the acid test by anyone's definition.
I've personally used Lilly's techniques since the late 1960's. Good thoughts, |
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