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Rolyan Special user I'm fencing in my land; so far there are 590 Posts |
Has anyone else noticed the near hysteria that greets the release of the latest effect, book, DVD from our favourite mentalists (you decide who yours is). It sometimes appears that there is an almost uncontrolled outpouring of excessive glee when something is released, followed quickly by breast beating depression if we fail to get it.
To me, there's sometimes a child like enthusiasm that is not altogether encouraging, and I'm trying to understand where it comes from. In my experience excessive zeal is often followed by burnout, which is not what we want obviously. This is purely 'magical' philosophy and I appreciate that most will not even ponder it. But I'm genuinely interested to know why we appear to be creating zealots who appear to have uncontrollable desires for the next best thing. |
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MatCult Inner circle 1518 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 19, 2014, Rolyan wrote: Because it's good for business. It's not just in magic. Most of the western world finds meaning in life through buying things now. Hobbies are a parade of "must haves" - the hot new amp for your guitar, the latest sable brushes, the revolutionary Shimano gears. The system trains us to desire the "next big thing". If enough people stopped upgrading their cars, phones, kitchens and wardrobes the whole thing could unravel - magic is just a microcosm of the bigger picture. So join me, give away your belongings and free yourself. Posted on my Samsung Galaxy S5.
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
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seamagu Special user 885 Posts |
Man you got the s5, I so want one
I love post its
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innermind Regular user suburban Detroit 154 Posts |
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else." -Will Rogers
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Its probably that we can just express it with more people these days, via digital means...
i would imagine waiting two weeks for your order to be sent via mail, received, cheque cashed and then packaged up and sent to you would be intense... its just that apart from your real non-digital friends no one else would know about it...
I've asked to be banned
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Godzilla Inner circle Tied & Untied Witches on 5316 Posts |
It's a "Monkey See, Monkey Do" mentality !
"If you watch Godzilla backwards, it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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gypsyfish Veteran user 383 Posts |
One hundred monkeys see, one hundred monkeys do.
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kasper Loyal user 253 Posts |
That's because were all involved in a cult.
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sandsjr Special user 840 Posts |
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On Jul 19, 2014, Rolyan wrote: If you truly want to understand where the enthusiasm and uncontrollable desires come from you'll find the answer here... http://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Power-N......r+of+now |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
I used to have that feeling on Christmas morning- rushing downstairs as early as possible to discover what Santa brought me.
Nowadays I just use the time to sleep late. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
My regular gig has been working either with addict or in prevention work.
I have worked in prisons, with street people and folks who have their family name on streets. Years ago Shel Silverstein(writer for Dr. Hook , Playboy, and children books. ) Wrote a piece called In search of the perfect high. Magicians and Mentalist perhaps are also looking. The piece like the mentalist / magician journey ends the same. The peace and answers are within. Harris Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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RedDevil Inner circle Deep South 1315 Posts |
This is the last morning
That I wake up in this dirty city Lookin' for the sunshine as the buildings block the sky. --Shel via Dr. Hook Love this song and this album (Sloppy Seconds). Forgive the digression.
www.reddevilmentalism.com
F-F-U-L-Ri-F-F-Li-R-U-F-F |
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Rolyan Special user I'm fencing in my land; so far there are 590 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 19, 2014, IAIN wrote: Hmmm, not sure about that. Over the years I've purchased, owned, read and used almost every major work released. So have my peers. We started off with the send a cheque and wait 2 (or more) weeks. Some of these items were 'huge' (in the sense of impact, although with Stewart James, in a physical sense as well). But I don't remember the intensity that comes across nowadays. Perhaps it is indeed a modern thing that affects all walks of life. But I still find it faintly disturbing. |
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GaMind New user Atlanta, GA 73 Posts |
There's nothing new about people wanting the latest and greatest. As for the Café reaction to new routines, when you add human nature to the strong emotional connection most of us have to magic and mentalism, you're going to have enthusiastic -- perhaps even "childlike enthusiasm" -- responses. Which, IMO, is not a bad thing.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Most who have been in this business for a long time have learned that, as in magic, things are rarely what they seem to be (nor as they are touted). So we usually don't get all that excited about the "Latest and Greatest." Personally, I rarely buy anything other than books and utility items.
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MentalistCreationLab Inner circle 1528 Posts |
Mentalism has not burn out in the 21st century! In fact, I busier now than I was at the end of the 20th Century. Which is exactly what I thouht and knew would happen. How did I know that? That is a good question and you will find that answer below.
Back in the beginning of the 20th century mentalism then under a different name but still mentalism was all the rage. It would not be till about the 1930 that mentalism would start to fade slightly and by the late 1940s and 1950s mentalism would be a bit more underground. However during this time period new foundations would arise that would later become modern mentalism and a new form of this thing would begin to emerge. See the works of Robert Allen Nelson and what UF Grant was doing in Columbus Ohio during this weaning period of mentalsim. Which was still around but not at popular as magic was during this period of the 1940 and 1950 although during this time it did have its stars but even they did a bit more general magic than those in different time periods. Mentalism would pick up again strong during the 1960s and 1970. Or what some refer to as a golden age of modern mentalism. The same pattern can be seen in the 17th century and 18th century as well. Mentalism is just doing what it has in one of its many forms for hundreds of years. Its just staying true to its historic cycle. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
???
Mentalism hardly began to "fade" in the 30's. With the advent of the Jinx in the 1930's, the period actually marked the beginning a a new age in mentalism, coincident with the interest in ESP popularized by the experiments of JB Rhine at Duke. And by the 1940's, Joseph Dunninger, billed as The Master Mentalist, became one of the most popular personalities on radio. Mentalism was hardly a "bit more underground." |
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Rolyan Special user I'm fencing in my land; so far there are 590 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 19, 2014, GaMind wrote: Correct, there is nothing new about people wanting the latest and greatest. My point is that I don't recall seeing the apparent hysteria that greets some releases, when things were released in the past. I was in a group that were extremely serious about performing, and we were around when major releases were put out (equal if not greater than all the material released today and yes, I do mean by Pete, and Atlas, Colin, Luke et al). But we didn't react the way that is seen nowadays. It was only ever meant to be a philosophical look at modern day purchasing, but trust me, it is massively different to that witnessed a few decades ago. I have my own beliefs as to why, I just wondered what others thought. |
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sandsjr Special user 840 Posts |
Welcome to the era of the Internet & credit card
I want it ALL and I want it NOW! However, people buy things for different reasons. Not all are looking for the answers to their prayers. I think there's nothing wrong with buying new things. (of course the more knowledgeable you are the more selective you become) With regards to immersing yourself in what you love, look at Jimmy Page's record collection for example. It's big. He loves music. If you love mentalism it's ok to get excited about new things. You don't owe anyone any explanations. New angles/ideas can be stimulating and inspiring. Some people just love to eat, sleep and drink mentalism... (can you do that?) On the other hand, if you're looking for your next purchase to make you great, you're going to be disappointed. |
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GaMind New user Atlanta, GA 73 Posts |
[quote]On Jul 20, 2014, Rolyan wrote:
My point is that I don't recall seeing the apparent hysteria that greets some releases, when things were released in the past. I was in a group that were extremely serious about performing, and we were around when major releases were put out (equal if not greater than all the material released today and yes, I do mean by Pete, and Atlas, Colin, Luke et al). But we didn't react the way that is seen nowadays. Great point, and to this I would point back to Iain's comment early on, the internet plays a huge role. It makes all of this accessible -- to pros and hobbyists alike. It also provides a voice for every thought and opinion. Some of the hyperbole is likely driven by the belief that the next great trick will make us successful. But I suspect that in this environment, it is driven more by professional courtesy on the part of pros (at least most pros) and a desire to belong, to be "one of the guys" by the hobbyists (a category I have to put myself in). |
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