On Oct 4, 2017, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote:

Mind you, this is nothing that the beginning worker should attempt. This is stuff meant for the experienced worker who already has a solid background in the real stuff, and is looking for ways to spice up their material, fully understanding the responsibility for incorporating the "tricks."

So unless you have walked the path for awhile, and actually watched Bill's video, you are incapable of offering a well-informed opinion and should just remain quiet so you don't look any more of a fool.

On Oct 5, 2017, Tony Iacoviello wrote:
OK, Ive watched the video twice so far, and Bill was very focused in his teaching and explanations, yes he does bring in related matter, but explains each of his topics so that they are perfectly clear. Also the negativity expressed in this thread is misplaced. Bill discusses shows, lectures, and other aspects of the business I will post my thoughts on the video at a later time. We had a death in the family and I am needed elsewhere and doing other things.

Tony Iacoviello

On Oct 6, 2017, Martin Pulman wrote:
The old "not for beginners", "real stuff" sales-pitch used to work with the gullible newcomers on the Café a few years ago. Even the youngsters have got wise to it. Material stands or falls on its own merits and its practical application in the real world of proper paying customers.

And trying to dismiss criticism of poor performances, weak material and dodgy ethics by calling people "fools" and telling them to be "quiet" is proof only of a rather amateurish fear of honest criticism. Real professionals are used to having their work critiqued day in and day out from a wide variety of people.

On Oct 6, 2017, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote:

There are many techniques that are not suitable for the beginning mentalist. As in any art, you have to start with the basics, and then work your way up to the more complicated methods that require subtlety and experience. I have seen far too many well-meaning amateurs completely botch up an advanced routine simply because they didn't fully understand the nuances involved. For example, you cannot be an expert cold-reader simply by reading a book or two; you have to get yourself in the trenches for a few years to learn the knacks of what works and what doesn't. Even my own book on cold-reading is only for those who have been reading for years; I would never recommend it for the beginner, as it doesn't teach them how to cold-read, but rather how to refine their existing techniques.

Let me put it another way. I'm a high school math teacher, and I would never recommend that a student attempt to learn calculus without first mastering algebra and trigonometry. If the only thing they know is how to simplify fractions, they will be completely lost when trying to calculate a derivative or an integral. Magic, like math, has techniques that are simply not suited to the beginner who has just learned the double lift or can perform a decent equivoque.

I have no fear of "honest criticism," but most amateurs are incapable of providing such. They think like magicians, not like laypeople, and see something completely different than the ordinary person who has little experience with mentalism. I've lost count the number of times that a well-meaning amateur has taken upon themselves to critique one of my performances, not understanding the underlying psychology that makes it work in the real world. For example, when I do a Mental Epic style routine, I never get an answer exactly right, just very close. This adds a level of verisimilitude to the routine from a layperson's perspective, since if it was just a trick, I would get everything exactly right. And yet, I've had many an amateur come up to me and wonder why I didn't just get every answer exactly right. They are often incapable of looking at a routine and examining it from the P.O.V. of what would happen if it was "real." In reality, nothing in mentalism should be 100% perfect. Reading minds should be difficult and being 80% accurate is far more impressive than being on the nose all the time.

Alas, we have many a person on this forum who fancy themselves experts when they are really just beginners. And then there are those who think because they are expert in one field, that they are experts in all fields. Once again, the D-K effect rears its ugly head.

Besides, it's easy to claim that you are an expert when you are anonymous, but unless you have the actual credentials to back up your claim, then you're just another faceless voice whispering in the wind.