Hello, all,

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I've been mostly a lurker, but have always had an interest in magic and more recently mentalism. I'm a thirty-year-old Assistant Professor of Literature at a smaller private university. This gives me a perfect setting in which to practice my mentalism, as students are always eager for a five-minute break from a grueling lecture (especially in the longer once-a-week classes), and I can often link the mentalism material to our topics in the course. I also find it helps that they view me as an authority figure with a degree next to my name. The position of authority in an academic context makes them more ready to believe that all the manipulation is psychological rather than physical. On the other hand, because I'm a teacher I do make sure to emphasize that this is a fun diversion from class, and I use the tired naturalistic/psychological explanation in that context just because it does have truth to it (I love mental forces and the like), and I don't want to abuse my position of authority in case some students might be deceived too much into thinking I can actually read minds.

I really enjoy things like Bob Cassidy's Name/Place and his version of 4DT--there is just such a logical elegance to these pieces that I find both incredibly satisfying and graceful. Book tests are also fun given my profession, and since one of my skills I had before my interest in mentalism was speed reading, I find I can pull of something like the Hoy book test with an incredibly fast riffle that makes the effect very convincing, though it can be quite cringe-worthy when done poorly. It's probably the only effect I'm naturally good at, since my sleight-of-hand skills aren't the greatest.

Anyway, what I've learned mostly on this forum is how little I know, so I'm eager to learn and just wanted to say hello even if I don't yet have much to contribute.

Welcome. Glad to be a part of your journey!

Hello and welcome!

Welcome, and have a nice stay!

Welcome January,

I have 98.6 degrees and nobody is impressed.

I look forward to your posts. You have a unique perspective.

-Mary Mowder

Thanks for the welcome! I'm fairly certain I've already profited from reading posts by a few of you in this thread, so thanks for that as well!





As for the degrees, over the past year I've actually become a bit ashamed to have a Ph.D. in the humanities for various reasons that we could discuss on another forum, but at least it gives for more congenial audience of students. I know doing magic or mentalism in a more impromptu setting where people will really try to through you or mess up an effect must be challenging--I can't imagine how you pros handle some of the people you must encounter!

*throw you. Darn autocorrect.

The beautiful thing about Magic is you NEVER stop learning

Welcome and keep topping up that knowledge!

Regards,

Cross

Indeed! I already feel that learning mentalism and magic has greatly helped my critical thinking skills. Despite being an academic who has been learning for a long time, even the simplest mentalism effects made me feel like and idiot. They utterly baffled me. I watched Bob Cassidy's name/place routine on Youtube over and over and over, even on slo-mo to try to figure out how he did it. I still hadn't a clue until I broke down, got his book, and learned how it was done!

I think it's really cool that the precise reason that magic DOES work is that it uses a different approach to thinking than what 99% of people use in their everyday lives. I've really enjoyed exercising that part of my brain. It still feels weak and atrophied, but it's getting stronger!

The world is full of good magic that does not take slight of hand. ENJOY!