MOICHENDISING!!

Seeing as I do tend to bitch about the capitalist nature of the magic community AND release my own filthy products into the world like strange little lampreys for your brain, I figured I should talk a bit about it all.

There is a difference between putting out crappy one shot effects that are merely variations on a theme or things that only work under "test conditions" and releasing stuff that is truly unique and has enough flexibility to be used by almost everyone. I will be the FIRST person to admit to the Merch High one can get form seeing your name on something packaged all pretty and shiny for mass consumption. It really hit me when I released Helter Shelter: The Movie.

It took many months of production and editing etc, but when it was all said and done I don't have to do anything else to make money but sell the damn thing. Now consider how easy it has become for almost anyone with a half-baked idea to release their lack luster products. Places like Murphy's Magic who cater to every wanker with a product. How easy it is to make a good chunk of money in one fell swoop... it can be intoxicating.

Problem is, like any addiction, it can get out of hand. You release one hit, and then you just go crazy because the youth in magic will purchase almost anything with your name on it assuming, it too, will be gold. The money rolls in and you keep rolling out mediocre product. It's a never ending cycle. Most people release their pet effects because they know it will sell. They release half done ideas because they need the money and it's EASY!!

Just keep in mind a quote from SHADE: "You have to ask yourself, is it about the money... or the art?" There is a fine line between the two. Don't get caught up in the hype of your name in lights. This is fickle business where the latest and greatest comes out every other week. Your moment in the sun will be brief unless you truly have something that is well thought out and lasting to offer.

Don't become a statistic.

Bizzaro.

We're almost a movie title...

It appears I have made almost 300 posts in this journal since it began 4+ years ago. I can't believe I am still writing in this thing or that ANYBODY reads it. Regardless, I was writing up an effect for a contest on The Astonishment Project and realized I haven't touched on various forms of misdirection really.

One of my personal faves is Time Misdirection. It is SO simple yet so very effective. The best part is it's invisible and can last as long as you want. From a mere moment (For those who don't know, a moment last three seconds) to three minutes and 64 grains of sand. Regardless, it is a powerful and seldom used tool in most magician's arsenal. Most use it and don't even know they are doing it. (Usually because they are prattling on and people lose interest/ focus.)

A good, yet annoying example of time misdirection is the criss-cross force. (If you don't know what that is, it's when you force a card on someone while wearing your clothes backwards) Time misdirection occurs when you use oregeno.. er.. thyme to take their mind off something that recently occurred. It could be a question, a hand motion, or a knife in the eye. Any one of those will suffice. Even having someone else shuffle the deck works wonders for helping them forget something that just happened.

Mind you, since we have the attention of a horny ferret on speed, it's not hard to make people forget what just happened mere moments ago. Can you even remember how this article started off? I bet not. See? Time misdirection works wonders!!

Like magic... but cheaper.

Bizzaro.

In this day and age of TIT (Total Information Technology - Thank you Robin Williams) it's amazing that we can do so much and yet so little at the same...... time.....

Let's take magicians websites for one. I like to dredge this subject up from time to time in hopes that someone somewhere will realize their website sucks so bad and either take it down or take their own life. Now I could offer you up a heaping helping of advice... but I'd rather let these guys do it.

First off, clip art should be ILLEGAL. Anything from the 80's you happened to find on an old floppy disk.. step away. Slowly.

Second, don't use Front Page. EVER. Seriously. It shows. Everyone knows it too.

Problem is a magic website (That isn't whoring out it's soul as a merch site) should primarily be used as an online promo kit. Not your personal photo album. No one cares about your photos of you with other magicians no one has ever heard of outside of magic.

If the only photos of you performing are grainy shots of your back doing ambitious card for the local blue haired bingo club, then it's best not to have them up at all. Instead of blowing your money on the newest magic DVD or cheaply made miracle, save that cash and invest in some professional photos and maybe even a web designer. Hell, I am sure you have a friend who needs to eat that can make a website. Why not feed them in trade?

Also... and this one is important.. if you are to look professional, then make sure your website has an honest to Bob registered name. If your website has Angelfire or Tripod before it you might as well just hang it up. It's cheap and easy (like your mom) to get a domain name. Look into it. While yer at it, why not consider something clever like www.sleepwithcj.com. Something people will remember or want to go to. Also avoid something like www.theamazingmagicofcharlestheamazingdouchebag.com

There is a myriad of ways to improve your online status. These are just a few hints.

I'm only trying to help.

Bizzaro.

WE HAVE A WINNAH!!!

I knew if I stuck it out long enuff, someone would get it. (That sounded dirty didn't it?) In the homestretch, someone managed to pick up on one of my hidden clues. That individual is Helen Held! (So send me an email with yer address yo)

It was a long hard uphill battle for most of you and I want to personally thank everyone who participated: Rafael, Kolisar, Christopher, and of course Brendan (And his wife for trying to snake the prizes out from under him to use as leverage for.. who knows.) I'm always happy when I put forth effort and you folks reciprocate. It makes all of my evil machinations seem worthwhile. (If I forgot to thank anyone who ventured a guess, sorry. You can bitch later)

So for those who want to know the answer to the question... tuff. You wanna know, you have to email me. (You'll be glad you did)

Now this journal can return to it's regular dose of ranting and raving for your amusement and my pacification. Remember to keep your dial here for all the news that's fit to print.. and some that isn't.

This still isn't a clue......

Bizzaro.

It's Aboot Closure...

On this craptastic commercialism inspired holiday, I think we should celebrate what we love not what we can buy for someone. If you love something, do it. Materialistic BS means nothing.... unless yer shallow.

On that note let's talk about buying stuff you love!! Since the contest has yet to have a winner, I am going to extend it over the weekend, for those who may not have had the time this week. However, on Sunday at 11:59 all doors will be closed.

That's not all!! Your uncle Bizzaro also offers up this deal for you!! Until the end of the contest (See above) everything in the Bizzaro Store is HALF OFF!! That's right, just like me!! So now is thee time to buy something for the one you hold dear... YOU!!

Just email, and we'll hook you up! Remember: No one loves you like Bizzaro... Well except maybe for that catholic priest.

So There!

Bizzaro.

Here's something to challenge yourself with while you figure out the last clue in our contest...

Take some plots in magic that haven't been flogged to death and make up your own version. Not necessarily for performance, but perfect them like you are going to perform them. It's interesting how much more educating and fulfilling something is when you work it our all by your lonesome than just riding along the wave of someone else's work.

This isn't to say that you should let the work of others influence you. Pick and choose ideas and subtleties from other tricks. New magic effects are like gumbo. Everyone makes it differently and puts different stuff into the pot.

Have you seen an all backs routine with merit, but you don't like the ending? Fix it. Perhaps you like the idea of a color changing triumph, but aren't terribly keen on anyone's handling. Make your own!

By challenging yourself, you discover a lot about yourself and your ability to create and decipher puzzles. Sometimes the answer...

is right in front of you.

Bizzaro.

Eternal Salvation....

Or triple your money back!!! Thaz right, one last chance (And we mean it this time) to take advantage of my generosity for the MuThErLoDe contest!! No one would DARE give you this many chances, but I want SOMEONE to win!! Mind you, I am not gonna make this last clue any easier on you. SO far we have had some top notch detective work and jolly good guesses. This last clue should reveal all... I hope. (Every new round gets you one guess. If you have already played, you get ONE last chance this round.)



You have until Valentines Day.

Bizzaro.

Hey kids!! Well no one has won the contest... which sucks cuz' I want someone to win so very much. However I am going to Nawlins' this week to do some street magic and have fun. When I come back we shall have the FINAL (And this time I mean it) clue. Redemption is at hand!! Until then keep tabs on our goings on @ http://www.nolamagic.blogspot.com

This sentence is not a clue... or is it?

Bizzaro.

Clarification..

Got an email from a nice individual today: Bizzaro, I'm a young magician who think that your cloth thru hand trick is really amazing! But then I heard that you might take it to the grave because no one knows how you do it! You should sell the trick on dvd, you'd make alot of money!

My reply centered around the idea of I remember a time when magicians had signature effects and they KEPT them. Norm Nielsen hasn't sold his floating violin (Yet). McBRide doesn't sell "Official Jeff McBride masks (Yet). The world has changed quite a bit sadly. People sell off routines and tricks they developed for their act to people who do not share the same character or motivation.

Sure I could probably bank on it being sold, but then I couldn't do it anymore. You don't have to be the best people have seen... just the FIRST. Because then, if they ever see someone else doing the same effect its all like, "I saw this other guy do this before" in the crowd.

It's better to have some secrets in this world. Some things are more important than money... but you'd never know it by looking at magic on the internet. Sometimes the problem with doing the right thing...

is you do it by yourself.

Bizzaro.

REPENT!!

Ok so as promised, albeit a bit late, your chance at the MuThErLoDe contest YET again!! Below is a clue as to what I am looking for. However I refuse to make this stuff easy on you. If you want clues left in photos or books you won't find them here. Instead I make you work hard for the money.. so hard for it honey. You have until Monday. Have fun.



You'll need it.

Bizzaro.

Mucho Thanxo...

As a special thanx to the long-time readers of this journal (And you late comers who just recently started reading) I have a special gift. I did my first magic lecture last week. (In the new format. I did one once before, but it was merely a test beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep)

Before the gift I do want to talk a bit about a way to improve anything and everything you do. it's one simple word. Very easy. Saves a lot of time in the long run. Ready for it? It's called... Research. I don't mean looking up the history of a trick or some shit like that. I mean yah that helps but I mean asking questions. If it's for a trick, ask people... friends, family, complete STRANGERS even. Find out if they saw anything or if they liked it or whatnot. It's ok. They won't think less of you. If it's for a book or, in my case, a lecture then find out what people like. What they like to see. Formats that are preferred. You don't HAVE to adhere to it, but get some insight.

In my case I found out people like free crap at lectures. (Buncha cheap bastards magicians are) So I got to thinking what I could give out. Magic is full of tricks, (I don't mean your ex-girlfriend. I mean magic.), so I didn't feel the need to flood the market with that. I feel magic needs more people with open eyes and I am all for helping jam them babies open like that one scene in A Clockwork Orange (Just without the Beethoven music). Not just takers but contributors. People willing to go that extra distance and further the art. Make it something to be proud of again. Face it we are all champions of a lost cause. (Then again, isn't everybody in some way or another?)

Regardless, I decided to give out a set of notes on creativity, character, and routining. The thoughts are nothing loyal followers of this journal wouldn't already have heard before, but now they are in a handy dandy printable format. So, for those who want them I have The Reality Bubble in pdf format for download for FREE!!

Who do you love and who loves you?

Bizzaro.

Placeholder...

Just to let you know I have not had constant net access and have been very busy with prepping for shows and lectures. I will post something of substance here soon.... until then:


This will suffice

Bizzaro.

Handsome Jack likes Watersports....

Ok ok I know I was supposed to give you guys another chance at that contest thing. Sorry been busy. Was in Californication. So I will regale you with that and try to get to the contest thing sometime this week.

First lemme tell you a story - A year or so back I went into Hollywood Magic and asked them, as a joke, if they had "that book on the razor blades. I think it's called Helter Shelter?" The guy behind the counter, without missing a beat or batting an eyelash replies, "Sorry, it's out of print". Well that was news to me. I just laughed cuz' I didna have the heart to tell him I knew better.

So a few days later I decided to take one of the books I had and slip it in with the rest of their reading material. I've done this a few times since just to amuse myself. This last trip I decided to add Helter Shelter: The Movie to their shelves. It's my secret hope someone keeps bringing this stuff up to the counter and they're all like, "Where the hell does this stuff keep coming from!?" So if yer in the LA/Hollywood area, go in there and pick it up. If they charge you more than 30$ for it, laugh and say you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

Since that was prolly the last time I am gonna do that, I decided to let the secret out to amuse you.. my loyal readers. (Waves to all of you as I am pretty sure the number of people who read this could fit in a small car)

Aaaaaaaanywho, On to the Magic Castle - It was a good night. I have learned, if yer a magician, go there on a Sunday or Wednesday. It's a better time to socialize and see the shows as it's not AS full of drunk idiots. Saw many fine performers. One such had a finale that is.. well hard to describe. Randy Cabral did things with paddle balls that have to be seen to be believed. The MC was spot on, but thaz because it was Simon Lovell. A friend to us here and lemmings everywhere. The closer in the Palace was an illusionist named Anthony Reed. He did something amazing for an illusionist. He came across as a likable guy with a personality. He had a few technical stuff ups, but only things a magician would notice. I enjoyed his performance. (If his name sounds familiar he was America's Got Talent a while back)

I also met a very tall gentleman who had a great character. His name is Phil Van Tee. His delivery was of a sort that when he threw out anything off-colour it was funnier than normal cuz' he countenance didn't suggest he would do it. It's a beautiful thing to see. (Especially at the Castle)

The only other performer I saw was Fitzgerald. (Part of the unholy three who performs regularly at the castle) His humor was VERY non-sequiter. The magic was pretty standard, but it's the presentations that made it good. A mean a rope trick done in spanish? Hilarity!

Right, I'm done for now. I'll be back soon to fill your heads with mindless drivel and useless contests. Hopefully we can get our website back up and running again soon.

Blame Canada!

Bizzaro.

Meh...

So I survived 2008 I think. A lot of folks do their "End of the Year" review. I however think I shall do an End of the WORLD review.

So I've only been alive for 20.. something years. I've been in magic for more of those then I can count on the extremities on my body. (you figure it out) With the alien motherships hovering overhead, I figured the LAST thing I wanted to do was leave a blog post about magic online.

I remember magic when I was a kid. I was David Copperfield. That was IT!! He lasted for 15 years strong. (many of us thought he should have retired and done the odd rolling stones comeback tour kinda thing buuut noooooooo. He's a jew and therefore demands cash. But I digress) Then came the World's Greatest Magic for 5 years. Oh happy days for those of us who were born stage performers. Even the close up magic was on a stage in front of a large crowd. (like a lot of magic conventions. Someone explain that to me please...)

The 90's was a heyday for magic on TV.. that is until the Asshat messed it all up. Now we had street magic AND the internet. Magic shops online were poipping up everywhere like the weeds they were. Ellusionist was ripping people off on a much LARGER scale than any brick and mortar shop ever did. Stage props were sitting on shelves collecting dust. It was a sad time. Then came the Mindflake. (If he was a fish, he'd be the Mindfluke) He was a washed up 80's rocker who wanted some of that David Blaine money.

As 2007 was gearing down, people like Criss Fishing Rod and the Asshat were losing momentum. Online magic shops had platued in their popularity and stage magic was on TV again. You Tube was a place to see headless ass clowns expose sleights and their ineptitude for entertainment. Now you could skip the local magic club to see the same stuff at home and NOT have to talk to them directly. (Kinda like my friend's dating life)

Websites like Theory 11 and bunnyboycollective popped up. Trying to innovate an already desolate wasteland of magic on the int4rwebz. Problem is, we're all just magicians and some of us forget our place in the universe as a bit part.

It's now 2008 and we're all going to die or be slaves for some alien race. I know no one will find this as their death rays will destroy all technology (even the stuff the gubment has hidden keeping track of us all). So it was a long strange trip and I never got to see Paris... outside of Texas that is.

Maybe the Aliens need a court Jester. I could always apply for the job before they fire their las

Here's to one more year closer to armageddon!! Let's hope the Mayan's are wrong and the sub-genius will eventually be right.

Magic isn't the only magic in the world.

Bizzaro.

Merry X-BOX!!!

So no one won the MuThErLoDe contest but FEAR NOT!! For I am a benevolent god and shall let everyone have one last shot at it. Later this week I will post a clue that shall lead you to the answer.. if you can figure it out of course.

However, Here is one of the answers I had gotten previously. It amused me, and normally that would do it, but since the stakes are so high.. so to speak, I am merely gonna give them name recognition for the holidays. Hope you kids get something you want... or get rid of something you DON'T want. If yer Jewish, forget I said anything.

hmmmm, common thread thru' out every post, hmmmm

Well the Asshat gets mentioned alot but he I think is an example and not the thing itself.

Railing on dipshits sitting in their rooms jerking off over their latest black fucking deck with pink bloody polka dots or some shit, and thinking being able to do a perfect fan with cum on their fingers is true magic, that's a fairly regular thread as well, but still perhaps a result and not the thing itself.

The advice you have proffered over the years has always been quite sound, hell "stop jerking off over your latest over hyped and expensive piece of marketed bullshit and get out there and perform" is pretty sound advice, right up there with "stop fucking imitating some old dickhead's shit and get out and come up with your own shit". Good advice it is, but perhaps a solution and not the thing itself.

I gave it more thought and came to a list of 3 things I thought you could be asking, 1) The obsession people have with doing the same old shit over and over again and not getting out there and creating unique acts, and 2) the ridiculous nature of magic today where everything is about how it's done and doing shit that looks cool and not about the fun, the entertainment, the fun and the magic ( did I mention the fun?) and 3) The way magic these days is so often over hyped and overpriced pieces of reinvented crap, but with slick market ting people buy this shit and think that having an exploding fucking mic stand is good entertainment because the blurb on the fucking web site told them so, and every thing is for sale and the whole fucking thing is all messed up because of cunts that just wanna screw the moronic masses of the magic world and take every last Penny from any dipshit that thinks you can become a magician by using a fucking online store, a deck of bullshit looking "magician" cards and a heap of fucking lube, the same guys who rate their success by knowing the fucking name of some fucking card move that no cunt really cares about anyway.

Well number 3 got a bit away from me, but I was pretty sure I had the answer some where in those 3, so I did some research and lo and behold I found this on your first ever post

" I wonder why magic has become the weird bastion of BS and capitilism that it has become."

So based on that I guess I have to stick with the rambling answer number 3 with a small sprinkling of answers 1 and 2 just to be sure.


* all quotes are my words and not direct quotes from your blog
** Thanks to MagicWhack for showing me the Mic stand
*** I really wanna win, I do blades already and would love to see your take on it and your advice with it.

Regards
Brendan


So close... yet so far...

Bizzaro.

Some of you might already know, but I was aksed (along with a handfull of others) to help judge itricks "Trick of the Year" contest. Basically, what effect in 2007 tripped our triggers. I threw Richards Sander's Interlace into the ring. I like the idea and effect behind it. Right now it us up to the public to be the tie breakers for the effects the judges nominated.

Can I have my Doritos back now?

Bizzaro.

Bizzaro.'s Guide to Picking up Chicks with Magic

No one has won the MUTHERLODE contest sooooooo... because I love you all so very much I will extend it till Friday the 21st. I have gotten some good guesses, but the answer is right in plain site. Now onto the actual meat of the potatoes...

There is talk online from time to time about picking up girls with magic or how to talk to them and blah blah blah. Magic should NEVER be a substitute for YOU. Here are some tips should you encounter someone or.. something yer attracted to in the great wide world in front of you.

1. Don't start off ANY conversation with a girl that starts with "Pick a card, any card." This is not sexy. Not even if Johnny Depp did it. You might as well just walk right up to her and say, "Nice fuck want some shoes?" It will get you about as far.

2. In the same vein, don't ask them if they want to see a magic trick. Strike up a conversation in some more subtle way. Then work the conversation around to talk of hobbies or work or whatnot and slip it in that you dabble in magical entertainment or some crap like that. Let them come to you. If they are interested in you or your magic they will BE interested in you or want to see a trick and ask thusly. It's less forced and let's face it: There are no such things as stalkers, just hopeless romantics with restraining orders.

3. As told to me by Eric Mead, learn to talk about something other than MAGIC. Whut? That's crazy talk you're speaking dood!! There is more to the world than magic? Hate to break it to you, but yes virginia, there is. People are most interested in people... and yes even girls are people. Ok.. well MOST of them are.

4. Spread it out. (No not like that you perv) Don't overwhelm them with magic. If you actually get to the point where you are dating and doing dinner and stuff it's ok to do floating rose or whatnot on your first date.. but don't over do it. Then it's not special. Always leave them wanting more.

Now of course these few tips are not gospel and everyone will work their "magic" in their own ways. However, the biggest problem with doing magic for a girl too quickly is you move immediately to the friend ladder and as we all know it's a long fall into the abyss. You have to find that fine line between sexy dood, (or doodette, but let's face it, do girls need magic to pick up guys. In one word: Duh?), and funny magical friend guy.

Also one more little tidbit. Staring into some girls eyes and trying to read her mind or tell her what her card is isn't sexy unless yer on TV.

Even if you are a washed up old 80's rocker.

Bizzaro.

Sign here...

Still no winner on our contest yet, but you still have time. (Hell I lost a day somewhere. I thought it was Thursday. If I keep this up, you may have PLENTY of time.)

So... four years hunh? I think I am one of, if not the, oldest magic journal (I don't like the word blog. Hell even Blogger's spellchecker doesn't have blog in it's database. Go fig.) left since MCJ threw in the towel. He started a revolution I tells yah. We stepped forth from the green primordial ooze that is message boards and found a place where we can say what we want without the jeers of detractors and the cheers of sycophants.

With that in mind, here is another mind numbing line of thought by yours truly.

So I was sitting at Eric Buss' lecture the other day (Creativity and character. Good stuff.) and he talked about his "Signature Piece". In the past, many magicians have had a routine or two that was theirs and SOLELY theirs. I realized this was a common thing of well known magi early on and developed my infamous eyeball routine because of it. The likes of Jeff McBride and Rudy Coby showed me the light.

In today's world however, the stage is taking a beating and even a unique dove routine or card manip act can seem mundane as so much has come before it. Creativity and original material is the holy grail of magic, but yet so many... choose poorly. Even a guy producing CD's like doves seems commonplace in today's magical world.

I tend to find it's even worse in the close-up world. Too many people cull together three or four tricks that belong to others and call THAT their signature piece. Hell some even do someone else's trick verbatim and say that is what they are known for. Some might be content with that, but I say NAY!! Rise up against your former masters and find the stuff that's you.

I have had people read this thing and assume I might not like them cuz' they DO the stuff I bitch about. I don't judge anyone on what they do, it's who they are. So if yer a hobbyist who is trying to better yourself and maybe turn pro, congrats. It's a long hard road. If yer say... I dunno, I'll pull a name from the ether... mmmmyabe... John Lovick... well then you can eat a dick.

So go forth and look deep inside yourself. Be honest with who you are and what you do. Your strengths. Your weaknesses. It's an uphill battle all the way to stray from the heard.

And it's a long hard road to Taco Bell.

Bizzaro.

It all comes to a head...

And as well all know, head rules.

Anywho, first our Mudderload contest info. I won't make it easy on you however. I am going to ask you a question about this journal. You are the first one with the correct answer, then you geta cookie.. er.. wait.. no.. you get EVERYTHING we here at Fire Cat Studios has for sale. Helter Shelter DVD and book, and many e-books. The Marked Man Lecture notes, Cheat Damn You pdf, and even the hard to find Banned in Texas notes. (of course if you already have some of these you'll just get the stuff you don't already have.) There is even a little surprise gift as well that is not on the market as of yet. However you only have a week to answer so on Dec. 18th, if we have no proper answer, then all is lost. You can only answer once, so think about it very carefully.

So here it is: What common thread do most of the posts on this journal share?

Finally, the last Rant. Never before seen by the public. Un-edited for your amusement and mine.

Why am I stuck In Magician Hell? #5
Written by: Bizzaro. The Optical Illusionist
"Never Rub Another Man's Rhubarb."

Thaaaaaat's right kids, DJ Bizzaro here spinning all of your favorites! This next one is a special request you should all know and love. It's called, "Copyright law. What a fickle hooker that is." by.. well just about EVERYONE!!

As many people who have looked into it know, you can't copyright a magical device, merely the intellectual property of the script or routine. (With very few exceptions. Did you know that with the proper patent number you can look up the device Coppi the Sex Wizard uses to fly?) There are vocal Nazis when it comes to giving credit in magic about who created this or did that. A good example of this was the Shapeshifter change DeSouza released a while back. Many people were like, "That's Oscar Munoz's trick. You just blah blah blah grrr and stuff.." The Axis change comes to mind as well. They even said "Well this was someone else's, but they did it like this and I just moved my arms down here." (Mind you there was a reason it was done the original way. But hey who cares, it wasn't "street" enuff.)

"My name is Bambi and my pet peeves include smokers, people who talk during magic videos, and performers who don't respect who owns what." There is a Playboy interview you'll never see... and for good reason. Outside of magic, NO ONE CARES!! If you claim to have invented Ambitious Card, the mundanes will not remember nor care. Magicians might get bent out of shape about it (Even tho' 3/4's of them couldn't tell you where it originated anyway). You want to terrorize someone for a while? When they show you something new you've never seen, tell them it's a Vernon or Marlo effect from some obscure date. Nothing puts a knife in you faster than to hear these words, "It's in print".

So what happens when two independent sources produce the same effect, same method, etc. Do the two parties say, "Hey kool, congrats. Great minds think alike"? Not usually. It's more like "This was mine first! I'm gonna rip off yer head and..." You get the idea. As magicians, we are taught that our power lies in our secrets. Once those are gone we have nothing. When someone impedes upon this frayed touchy nerve, we go all guano on people. Some people do blatantly steal another person's ideas and get more notoriety for it. It happens (Now you know how Bruce Springstein felt about Roamer in the Dark).

Putting something in print however does not give anyone carte blanche to go all crazy ex-girlfriend on someone. If another magician comes up with something removed from your idea, there isn't much you can do about it. (Aside from getting a cadre of ass clowns on a message board somewhere to flame said perpetrator.) They say if you want to hide something, put it in print. Technically once it's published it's yours. Can't really prove it tho' as a card trick in a court of law will only cause them to laugh at you. Afterwards they'll sentence you to hanging by a noose made from a rice silk for wasting their time... but I digress.

Personally I think it's getting out of hand in some ways. There are fanatics in every religious cult, (You heard me. Look it up), and magic has no shortage of asshattery when it comes to ownership. Don't get me wrong. I think it's good to know where SOME things come from. Triumph is Vernon's. Gotcha. Healed and Sealed is Anders Moden's (that he foolishly let be performed on TV by the Asshat). Right on. We all know it. Does that mean we can't perform it if we don't buy the books or instructions they appeared in? That depends on your morals or lack thereof. (The same could be said for downloading torrents of magic videos and whatnot as well.) Where do we draw the line? Should I start berating people for not giving credit to who created the double lift or biddle grip in their videos or print? NO. That would be silly and I'm NEVER silly.

So it all boils down to which side of the line do you stand on? The uptight fanatic brigade who has nothing better to do than catalog everything in magic... or the sane free thinking world where real people don't care and if you don't want people doing your stuff don't put it in freeking PRINT!!! What's more important to you? Artistic integrity or recognition for your *koff* genius. Everything in moderation kids...

Including moderation.

Bizzaro.