Even if I do know their names, I'll often ignore them because I can't help but think that anyone that calls themselves by an internet handle can't possibly be serious about their magic or their performances.
Mr. Creeper,
I'm certainly not trying to pick a fight with you either, though I will continue to call you out whenever you put words into my mouth or mis-quote me.
In the quote above, replace "think" with "feel" and perhaps it'll make more sense. I'm not claiming that anyone that posts under a screen name isn't serious. In fact, I know a few people that are definitely serious, but that post under screen names for various reasons. Some of them have valid reasons, others just enjoy the freedom to say stupid things that hiding behind an internet mask provides them.
To reiterate my original point, many top magicians are turned off by the prospect of having an online conversation with a blank wall, and that's exactly what talking to a screen name feels like. Therefore, whenever I get questions or have to respond to emails from people with these names that my immediate, gut-level, innate reaction is: don't bother. I don't always refuse to respond, it's just my initial instinct. Obviously I'm responding here, but it's tough to shake the feeling that I'm spinning my wheels and not getting through to many of you. (sigh)
I feel very strongly about being yourself and standing behind what you think and what you say. If you have something to say, you should strive to also have the courage to say it with a name attached to it. If you're right, you get the credit. If you're wrong, you get corrected. Even if you get smacked-down, you've learned something.
My goal in telling you all this wasn't to just rant about people using screen names. The goal was to illuminate an area of their magic lives that might be hindering them. This particular issue just happened to be the first thing I mentioned.
But, there are others. I'll mention two.
Posting clips on YouTube (or elsewhere) for anyone to see. It's especially stupid to ask for advice from the masses. If you post clips just to stroke your ego, there's not much more I can do to help you. We clearly aren't even remotely after the same things in life or in magic. But, assuming you're sincerely looking for improvement, there is a much better way to go about it. Have a "brain trust" of 4 or 5 people that you really respect and admire. People you know will tell you the truth about what they see. Let them view the videos privately, and take your medicine from them about how good or bad it is. This should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway: the people in your brain trust should be vastly superior to you in skill and experience. It doesn't do you much good to just ask a close friend that isn't much more knowledgeable than you.
The last thing concerns how you communicate on web forums and emails. Go back and look at all the words I've written in these last few posts, or in any other posts I've made for that matter. In fact, look at the Magic Cafe for every post I've ever made, you'll find hundreds.
You'll also notice something if you look closely. There are very, very few misspelled words, very few grammar mistakes, and I try very hard to either capitalize, bold, or place into italics the name of any book or DVD that I mention.
What's the point, you might be asking. The point is not that I'm an English major (I'm not), or that I'm a great speller (I'm not), or that I am trying to look like some sort of genius that never makes mistakes (I do). I make spelling mistakes all the time, I constantly catch myself typing things that violate basic grammar rules, and I've screwed up just about every rule in the book at one time or another.
But....
By setting a very high bar for myself, I've over time developed a reputation as a straight-shooter that says what he means in a clear, concise manner and doesn't mince words. I've also become known as a guy that pays attention to the little things, like setting off book and DVD titles using some sort of formatting, even if it's just all caps. (These days I think simple italics looks the best.)
When it's all said and done, these little things cause me to slow down, take my time, and review what I've written. Often, I find sentences and phrases that I don't like and I replace them with better words. When I finally hit the submit button, I've vetted the quality of my writing (and therefore, the quality of my thoughts) before I subject anyone else to them. It's a sign that I respect you; that I'll go to the trouble of not making you read things full of mistakes and misspelled words.
Obviously non-English speakers get a pass here, and are doing the best they can. The rest of us have no excuse other than simple laziness.
Basically, my approach is simple. Look around you. Figure out what the idiots are doing, and do the opposite. It won't make a bit of difference to you in the short run, but it will pay off handsomely in the long-run, I can assure you.
If they're posting under silly (and pointless) user names, adding a new terrible clip to YouTube every 3 days, and can't put together a coherent sentence, you should strive to set yourself apart from them at all costs.
That's the way to get noticed, taken seriously, and hopefully, respected in the community.
Jason
PS: For those of you that are just here to indulge in a fun hobby, that's fine too. This thread has probably bored the piss out of you, since you're just looking for the next kewl trick to come down the pike. I apologize that said trick isn't forthcoming from me, but I hope the serious ones reading this have learned something or have been given food for thought.