|
|
Go to page 1~2~3~4 [Next] | ||||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
I was performing the other day my Mental Prediction effect, and the spectator was so fascinated that he asked me to predict the score of a basketball game. I refused, and I said my performance is "for entertainment purposes only." He did not get it, so I said what you experienced was just an illusion. He still does not get it. He took my business card because he said he wanted me to perform for one of his parties. But he called me today and said that he will pay me a lot of money ($500 to be exact) if I can give him the prediction of the basketball game. He said he doesn't care if I am right or wrong, or even if it is for entertainment only. He wants this prediction (final score) from me. I am guessing he wants it from me because he saw me do something "impossible", but that impossibility was created from mentalism, not some real power. My question to you is, what do you do in this situation? Do you sell your prediction to someone who knows that it's just for entertainment and that you make no assurance as to the accuracy of the prediction, or do you continue to walk away, as I have done?
Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
Simon (Ted) Edwards Inner circle London 1528 Posts |
I'd avoid selling a prediction. However, if he books you why not send him an envelope (or some other sealed object) and tell him that it contains a prediction that will be revealed in the finale? This could be the score he asked for. And if it's in a locked box or placed into the possession of someone else he won't be able to open it early...
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Ted, thanks for your post. The issue is that he does not want to book me for a performance. There is only one thing he wants, and that is the basketball score prediction. And he wants access to this prediction before the game starts. I have told him numerous types that mentalism is an illusion and that what I do is for entertainment purposes only. He simply does not care---he wants to pay me $500 for this prediction---I told him I could be way off in the score (that's the truth), and he still does not care.
Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
Normally, I would take the money and run... but he sounds like an obsessive type that could wind up hurting you if you guess wrong. You could theoretically give him a prediction that's so vague and gives you so much wiggle room, that you wind up being correct but it would be practically useless to him for gambling purposes (and you know that's what he's going to do with it). You could also research which point spread offers the safest odds, letting the professional bookmakers do the work for you, and hoping there's not an upset. You could also give him a prediction with the fine print that if he tries using this information for personal gain, that he'll generate bad karma and the future will change (but again, I doubt he'll grasp the implications of that).
If it were me, I would just blow him off. Possibly giving him the excuse that sports is not my field of predictive expertise, or that "dark forces" are preventing me from penetrating the veil of the future which is constantly in motion. Or the standard, "if I use my gift for financial gain, it'll be taken away from me." Hopefully, if you keep avoiding him until after the game, he'll leave you alone. But now you know why disclaimers are worthless.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
|||||||||
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
You can do the old joke, "Okay, I'll tell you the score of that basketball game even before the game begins... zero to zero."
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
|
|||||||||
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Postmentalism...with him there...dont let him see you write the "prediction"..but let him watch you seal it up and post it to his address...
I've asked to be banned
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Yes, it appears I will have to continue to joke / ignore this individual. Thanks for the feedback, gentleman. What I find just unbelievable is that he wants the service of a prediction from someone who performs mentalism, even though he KNOWS mentalism is an illusion. I find it quite fascinating. Usually, the folks that want these services are themselves misled that the power is real and that one can truly divine the future. But in this case, he has been warned that what I do is quite the opposite, and it has not changed his outlook. I just find it amazing.
Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
Eshla Inner circle 1239 Posts |
Iain, I've always wondered... if PostMentalism decent, I've heard mixed reviews.
And personally I'd take the $500. You'd be a fool not too, and if by chance you get it right you WILL make headlines.
I come from the future to culture you poor sods with fire.
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
IAIN,
Thanks for your post. I do realize it is possible to create the illusion of predicting the score. That's not the issue. The issue is that he wants to pay me $500 for something from someone that he knows does it for entertainment only. So, postmentalism wouldn't work for him---he wants me to just give him my best opinion (as Philemon indicated, I could research the point spread), knowing that I could be wrong. He knows that his $500 could be completely wasted. He does not want a mentalism routine (postmentalism), he wants a real prediction from me for $500 in real-time. Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Tom - do a search, loads of reviews and comments...
personally, if not the postmentalism route - I'd have just said "why should I give you the results? will you give me a share of the winnings?" if he was being a little aggressive over it, I'd want to casually dismiss him and act like he was silly to even ask me...i'd be making money on the game if I could predict such things...so his $500 is a pittance to what you will win later...
I've asked to be banned
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Eshla, I own postmentalism. It is unique in many ways, primarily in that the reaction of the spectator is not always observed (occurs when they receive their mail in the comfort of their home). It has the potential to amaze if used appropriately.
So, Eshla would take the $500. Interesting. There is no right or wrong answer, it's just interesting getting the thoughts of others. Thanks. Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Actually - I don't quite understand what he wants...i am very tired, only had 4 hours sleep in a day and a half!
he wants a prediction from you, but doesn't care if its right or wrong AND knows that you used some kind of illusion/trick? sorry if I'm being thick here...ha!
I've asked to be banned
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
Yes, IAIN. You may be physically tired, but you are still mentally there, LOL. He wants a prediction from me, he DOES NOT CARE if it is right or wrong, and he KNOWS I used some kind of illusion/trick in my performance that caused him to communicate his request.
Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Personally - I wouldnt take the money...
if I were familiar with the team(s) - I'd take an educated guess, but through in that it would only happen if a certain player played (and name a team member that is always a sub and not often used if that was appropriate)... I'd probably write that the person would be outraged over two decisions made by the ref too just to add a little realism...
I've asked to be banned
|
|||||||||
insight Inner circle 3095 Posts |
IAIN, let's say it took you a couple of hours to do the research, to draft the prediction, and to engage in a conversation with him to communicate your findings. Would you charge for two hours worth of time (based on the regular billing rate of your performances) so you received something in exchange for your time?
Regards, Mike |
|||||||||
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I think this is a "test" If you can predict the final score of the game in advance he sees financial possibilities of gain for his own use. I have come across several of these types many times before at my performances. Don't let him fool you, he is only interested in the correct final outcome of the game for his personal use. Taking this gig would just lead to more uncomfortable, awkward and potentially dangerors possibilities. This is why I stopped claiming psychic abilities during my mentalism performances years ago.
|
|||||||||
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
...I treat this much like when I am asked by someone to predict the winning lottery numbers.
|
|||||||||
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Uri Geller takes much more than this for predictions. And he's been exposed right and left...
Just some perspective on what others have done. I say take the money first. Give it back if your prediction is wrong. Like a Money Back Guarantee of sorts... Just an idea...
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
|
|||||||||
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
This is difficult, because I wouldnt have told him it was an illusion...if I were in your shoes, I just wouldnt have bothered at all...it was a trick, therefore all bets (ironically) are off...
so I think that's the bit that caused my brain to freeze...he knows its not real, he knows you employed trickery, yet doesn't care if you're wrong or right...he just wants a bit of paper from you basically...so, give him the bit of paper and take a guess... if it were me, I'd have used postmentalism...if I didn't have that nor much time to research, I'd have done the second thing, taken an educated guess with a couple of caveats built in... oh and if he thought I was real, I wouldnt allow him to have the results under any circumstances apart from the postmentalism way...as why would I share with him my winnings?
I've asked to be banned
|
|||||||||
lejon Special user 721 Posts |
Insight, it really depends on how much YOU can take from that guy.
If you feel like you cant take the hassle that will arrive your way if youre not correct then leave it alone. if you feel in a playful mood and are ready to play with the consequence then go ahead.. personally I would run away... I don't like trouble. and I couldn't be bothered having to deal with guy afterwards but again its very personal. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » "For Entertainment Purposes Only" (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2~3~4 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |