I've used the Joshua Quinn idea since I got Paralies and have always gotten a strong reaction. Thought Association Card is a natural, clever outgrowth of this idea. I really like it. I haven't tried it yet, but in working on the routining and presentation, came up with this idea that I thought I'd share.

Here's a ploy to help emphasize the fact that the spectators never writes anything down. Once each spectator has arrived at their final word, hand them each your business card and ask them to write their word on the back, but just before they start to do that, change your mind. Explain that when the original experiments were conducted, the participants wrote down their thought to document them. But that was one of the major criticisms of the study because of the potential for secretly finding out what they wrote. So, tell the spectators not to write anything down. Just keep it as their own, private thought. Take the business cards back and use them yourself to write down and reveal the words that you've just plucked from their minds.

Nice one, Mr. M.

El Mystico, you're correct, my applications were an outgrowth of Grey Elephants -- specifically, the desire to do a Grey Elephants-like effect without the initial number force. I mention this in ParaLies, though I couldn't find where Grey Elephants originated either.

Hi Mr. Mindbender,

What a clever idea... thanks for sharing it

Hi El Mystico,

I, too, was unable to discover the originator of Grey Elephants, but I should have made mention of it nonetheless. Thank you for pointing out the omission.

Regards, Steve

I printed out a word list and placed it at the back of the book test called Reflection from Outlaw. Now I have four test that I can do and it adds greatly to Reflections.



Ray

Hi Ray,

I love Reflections and putting the TAC list in the back is a great idea!

Regards, Steve

Hey guys, I'm looking for some help with part of this effect and if you can prove you've purchased it and want to talk shop send me a PM. And if you haven't purchased it yet, do so you won't regret it. Not only is the effect awesome but Steve is a stand up guy.

I may be completely wrong on this, but didn't Max Maven create Grey Elephants?

- Bob

Tempted by the great reviews, purchased

This is a great addition to the 'almost real' category of mind reading. There are some fantastic ideas, not only in the main book but in the supplement as well. I'm already looking forward to the next update, which I'm sure will be here soon.

Tony

I posted this in the Patrick Redford's Hexagon thread, but thought as it had some relevance to the Thought Association Card, I'd copy and paste it over here as well.
                  
"I have just finished this. I recall a month or two back that there was a thread discussing effects to do with time or watches...something like that.

Patrick dropped in on that thread and teased us with Hexagon. Being familiar with Patrick's thinking, I stopped looking for other effects and sat patiently waiting for this. He did not mislead. There are almost too many options to choose from.

This publication has already been thoroughly reviewed, so apart from taking a moment to echo the sentiment that Time Turner is fine thinking, I won't rehash what has been said already.

What I will say is that if you own Stephen Yachanin's Thought Association Card, you should buy this for Ring, Watch, Wallet. Then figure out how to blend the two. I am not going to say any more than that - I think what I've stumbled upon is too strong....but I will point you in the right direction.

Overall, this is a good buy.

I also enjoyed Colin and Ken's cameos. I like it when there are inside references and a sense of community.

So, a big thanks to Patrick for his great thinking!"

Best,

Atlas

Atlas,
Nice idea!

This idea will work with other routines that are done over the phone. I don't have Patrick's routine but I do a routine that calls for three items.

Great idea!



Best
Ray

Ray,

I am glad you like it! I think the two approaches lend themselves to great interaction.

Best,

Atlas

Hi All,

I'm nearly finished with the preparations of a second supplement to Thought Association Card and hope to send it out by the end of the week. It contains some great new subtleties, ideas, and routines contributed by the following:

Atlas Brookings
Adam Flemming
Mike Draganic
Bill Fritz
Laurence Hookway
Mr. Houdini
Laurence Morland
Ray Noble
Joshua Quinn
Vince Smith
John Taylor
Bobby Warren
Stephen Young
“Anonymous”

As an extra bonus in the supplement, Atlas Brookings has created a special TAC-based routine within his "The Real Thing" book test that is EXCLUSIVE to those who have "Thought Association Card." I'm very excited about this and I think TAC users will be as well. If you haven't read about "The Real Thing," check out the following: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=303

Regards, Steve

*mouth waters in anticipation*

It's the gift that keeps on giving!

I have this now for about two weeks, I printed two cards and one special card for the f*****G a word. Fits very nicely in my SAW and I had a chance to fully test it at a fundraiser this past Sunday night. I got some seriously insane reactions!

Shame on me.

Late last year I won a copy of this and which Stephen kindly sent me. Despite my best intentions, things have got in the way and I have only just got round to reading what Stephen sent.

What a fantastic idea and, being based in the UK, I was pleased to see the many suggestions given for its application over here.

I shall enjoy putting this into use

Neil

Yes, the newer versions are a great improvement on the original. I prefer using the gender friendly myself.

Hi Neil,

I know exactly what you mean... I have my "must read" stack and it grows faster than I can get through it

Hi aligator,

Many people I speak with prefer the gender friendly version as well... I tend to use that version more often than not myself (It does, however, depend on my audience)

Regards, Steve

This should be GOOD! I really like doing TAC.




Ray

I know that I've said it elsewhere, but I will say it again - I am indebted to Steve for allowing me to use TAC in the 'Real Thing' book test. The portion of the book test that is down to my own thinking is great, but the addition of the gender-friendly system from Steve's TAC greatly compliments this system and creates a routine that trancends its component parts. Steve didn't have to share, but he did and I can't express my appreciation thoroughly enough.

So what does this book test allow you to do? Well, as I indicated above, there are two portions to it that draw from different methods. One section relies on the "Thought Association Card" method (which those of you celebrating the release of another supplement will be familiar with), and the other section relies on the "Real Thing" method. Anyone familiar with Steve's work will know what his section allows you to do, and what you can do with the "Real Thing" section is described below:

"Imagine being able to have someone choose a word from a book, close the book and set it aside, and then change their word to any other word they can think of (and I'm not talking about a different word from the book, or a word from a category, but ANY other word they can think of) - only to have the performer subsequently reveal their new word with NO fishing!"

You can use anywhere from one to four different participants with this book test and reveal a different thought for each, climaxing in the revelation that is based on the "Real Thing" technique.

And, for anyone who has not yet purchased TAC, it is a great value for money, inexpensive, portable and fairly impromptu. Why don't you own this?? And if you are still skeptical, dig up the 'Best of the Year' thread in Penny and count how many times Steve is mentioned.

It is a winner. I promise.

Best,

Atlas