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Irfaan Kahan Veteran user 346 Posts |
Hello
Last night we had a meeting of the local chapter of the Magic Circle. People were excited because I had a 30 minute performance to do followed by a dealer demonstration. Knowing me very well, I told my fiance to hide my wallet so that I wouldn't be able to buy anything! Anyways, the dealer gets up and starts to demonstrate some of the items he has in stock. Well, they were all hand made . . . Good quality, sure, but he made them all himself. Sander's Extreme Burn, The Vanishing Deck (that plastic holder thingy), and another item that I remember was a mentalism gimmick that fits in your ear - which he even mentioned was by some Spanish guy. (Can't remember the name). So, of course I decide to give this guy a wide berth - and I was confident that our president would have some stern words for him. But all I saw after the demo was a rush of people trying to buy everything in sight. So I left to have a smoke break, and was joined a little later by the secretary. I politely asked him his opinion on the ethics of someone who’s selling marketed effects without the creator’s permission, to which he shrugged and said, “Don’t worry. Everyone does it.” Another Circle member with us agreed with him. Is this the state of things now? Once upon a time magicians would travel the world with nothing but a few cents, and the ability to hitch hike to find a fellow magician who could teach them a secret. These secrets were guarded, because they were Hard Earned!! Today, with magical information being so readily available, it’s sad to see the complete and total lack of respect magicians have towards each other. I always say, at my club, how much I love to be fooled. And when I am fooled, I could care less about the secret – I just enjoy the feeling. Of course I may attempt to re-construct the effect later – but that would be my independent creation. Or would it? Before I get too high on my horse, I recall that there are several moves and tricks that I have learned from fellow magicians who did not originate them. For example, I learned the HALO cut (sorry Harry), and the Asher Twist (Sorry Lee) and several others. I’ve also taught a few moves and tricks (but I’m very particular about crediting the original source), after all this is the point of a magic club, isn’t it? To teach and guide? Whatever the case may be, it seems as if we are in very much a grey area here – an area which I am nonetheless very uncomfortable in now that I have thought about my actions carefully. FYI, I love watching Extreme Burn – and I have not purchased the secret so I don’t know how it’s done (exactly). Consequently I did not join the mob of purchasers and non – purchasers when the dealer was demonstrating the secret. I thought that the sight of my “fellow” magician’s last night was pathetic, filthy and I am almost ashamed to say that I share a profession with people like this, whom I am afraid are most probably in the majority (Filthy @#$%^ downloaders, free loaders, without any respect or loyalty) Apologies, but I saved up my money for a year to afford the complete Bobo, Tarbell and AOA Set – just to have a kid at the club bring his %^$#@ torrent printout of these very same books at a jam session we had. I was so furious, but I didn’t say anything. That guy will learn a lot of tricks, but very little magic I’m sure. Feel free to delete or lock this post – I’ve had enough. I can’t compete with these 12 year olds anymore.
I'm a Magician playing the part of an Actor
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Sad commentary, Irfaan. Maybe someone needs to form a "Society of Ethical Magicians" with a specific code of conduct... How about "GEM"- Gathering of Ethical Magicians"?
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
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I was so furious, but I didn’t say anything. Silence supports this behavior. Personally and as you described the situation, I would have vocally challenged the "Dealer" with the first demo'd rip-off then walked out had the group not supported my challenge. To hear that Circle leaders supported this apparent thievery is disappointing, but hardly surprising because so few speak out against it. My fellow mentors and I actively teach our youth classes to respect the creative work of others. I'm proud to say that the leaders in my Ring, many noted inventors and authors in their own right, actively support this stand. To affect change, we must start with ourselves and work outward. Set the standard. Be the example. Make yourself heard. Don't worry about what others think or allow. Take an open stance against such thievery. You may be surprised to discover how many supporters you actually have.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
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On 2009-04-28 08:23, mandarin wrote: I'm not much of a joiner, but I would join and support such an organization. |
Josh Riel Inner circle of hell 1995 Posts |
We would all join such an organization if we could benefit from it.
The theme is: What matters to -me- must matter to you, what does not not matter to -me- should be left alone and ignored. Magicians have set the theme. "Most" magicians have set the theme.
Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.
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Irfaan Kahan Veteran user 346 Posts |
Sounds like a good idea. However I get the feeling that any such organization would be labeled as hypocritical or "high and mighty". True, partially true, or not at all - these labels will probably be applied and we would find ourselves inspiring more controversy than ethics.
I could be wrong - but that's my 1.5 cents. Anyways, I would be glad to help organize an ethics society. Michael Close relates a story: He says that he was at a convention / hotel (can't remember all the details), and somebody came up to him and just gave him some money. "What's this for?" he asked. To which the fellow responded, "A friend gave me a xerox of one of your books a long time ago. I thought I should pay you for it."
I'm a Magician playing the part of an Actor
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AmazingEARL Veteran user Tennessee, USA 350 Posts |
The I.B.M and S.A.M established a Joint Code of Ethics back in 1993. It speaks out strongly against the exposure of secrets and respect for creator's rights.
Getting either of these organizations to actually enforce any of that is almost impossible, though. I know. I've tried. Dan Wolfe |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Respectfully, why is it always "They" and "Them" who must promote sound ethics. As with any principle of value, this one must begin with me and every "me" that cares.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
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On 2009-04-29 23:09, Skip Way wrote: Whoop! There it is!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
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