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A sentiment I've heard time and again is the idealization of the average Joe. Some people use different terms: Joe Sixpack, regular guy, Tom, Dick, and Harry... The idea is still the same regardless. The idea is a romanticized view of the working stiff, the amiable lug who leads a normal life...

If you've ever wondered what magic would look like in real life, I'd say Harry Dresden presents a pretty good idea. For those of you who don't watch the SciFi Channel or visit bookstores regularly, the Dresden Files are a series of novels by Jim Butcher about Harry Blackstone Copperfield...

Strategy 11 - Trade Space for Time: The Nonengagement Strategy Strategy number 11 from Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War". In essence, it is the strategy of retreat. Mainstream wisdom holds that retreat is cowardly, dishonorable, and shameful. It is the telltale sign of failure and...

In 2000, a small rural town called Halfway in Oregon did something the country by surprise. They changed their name to Half.com in conjunction to the launch of a website of the same name. The mastermind behind this PR revolution was Mark Hughes. Fast forward 5 years, and Half.com has been...

http://www.online-visions.com/stagestuff/0805trick.html I stumbled upon this earlier this morning. It was too good to pass up. Amidst all the links to generic YouTube videos that seem engineered to depress me, this is a link that should liven things up.

Some of you may be scratching your heads at this point. "Alex," you ask, "why are you posting a review of a work of fiction in the product reviews section of a magic site? Are you just being pushy and preachy with your opinions again? Is there a point to this? Have you finally drunk yourself...

This is an idea I've been sitting on for a while, and want to work on over the next few months. For those not in the know, Robert Greene is an American author who has written three books on the dynamics of strategy and sociopolitical manipulation. His three books (The 48 Laws of Power, The Art...

At last night's lecture, an interesting topic was brought up. It began with Ben Seidman talking about the motivation behind every move. It had to make sense and it had to offer multiple layers of deception. He presented a coins across routine that was impromptu, virtually angle-proof, and...

On January 17th, Deceptions Unlimited will be hosting a dual lecture at the Monroeville Holiday Inn in the Pittsburgh area. The guests? Ben Seidman (creator of iVanish) and Luke Jermay. The night will be a split between magic and mentalism starting at 7:30. Seating must be reserved ahead of...

Miss me, sunshines? I'm guessing you clicked on this thread either because of my name attached to it, the title, or both. If you were here for the title, you might want to nip out for a quick drink before going any further. Alcohol isn't going to stop you from getting angry with me, but it...

I've come back from a ban that was placed earlier this month and I've done some thinking. Simply put, I'm not happy here. And if certain conversations I've had are any indication, there are a lot of people who are not happy that I am here at all. It doesn't make much sense for me to stick...

Cardistry, as much as I hate to state the obvious, is a very hot issue right now. Whether you call it as such, or label it flourishing or XCM, the manipulation of cards is growing in popularity among a new generation of performers and stories are going around of audiences who are learning about...

http://www.online-visions.com/oneeyeinward/0304costs.html So the true fault lies with the consumer. Discuss.

I just got back from a 2-hour lecture from the hitman of magic, Sal Piacente. For those who haven't heard of Sal, he a world-renowned expert in gambling cheats and has consulted security teams in the top Vegas casinos as well as the FBI. Sal gave numerous demonstrations of card cheats for...

It’s been a long time since I sat down to write something like this. I put a moratorium on it to check my rampaging ego, but I think this is worth bringing up in light of a few things I’ve seen of late. Let me tell you a little story. Sen no Rikyu The Japanese tea ceremony is an...

I couldn't find any reviews of this effect, so I'm asking that anyone who owns it put one up. I'm very, very intrigued by this and was wondering if its something I should invest in considering my climbing interest in mentalism. I want to know how clean it is, if there are any drawbacks that...

Intro The first in the series had some success. Here’s volume two in which I take a huge swing at some memes, clichés, and misconceptions that are like a rash on my thighs. Some of these myths aren’t necessarily magical, but you see them a lot in the artistic community and need to be put...

Intro I’ve been seeing stories about what you can do with magic popping up more frequently now that the weather is turning out more pleasant and people are out performing more. It’s natural. The problem is the tone I’ve noticed in certain people’s attempts at giving advice. In this...

Intro This is a topic I’ve touched on lightly every now and again, and I’ve contemplated writing a lengthier article on it. It’s a subject I take rather seriously. The question is in the title itself. Are you dark… or are you just a punk? On the surface that seems like a joke, but I assure you...

Exposure is going to spell the death of magic!! When all our methods are public knowledge, we'll never be able to do anything! I mean, it's not like our personalities are going to get us anywhere, right? That's why with all the talk of YouTube and Celebracadabra and the tutorial site...