To be quite honest, I laughed at this statement...just let the responses speak for themselves; talking big like this is just silly.I know this will offend some, spur controversy, but I also know this will completely hit home with some people and there will be people agreeing both openly and secretly.
You had me until the last part (bolded for emphasis). Just because someone treats magic poorly does not mean they have to be in it as a hobby. Likewise, just because someone is in magic as a hobby does not mean they don't take it seriously--they just don't necessarily perform often.tokyoUW said:STOP treating magic like a get rich quick, half-assed approach, "I am so gooood already" type of hobby. Magic, like a lot of other hobbies/sports/activities takes an extreme amount of practice and requires countless hours of experience performing for real people. However, lately, with all these posts about "please watch my new video, though, it isn't so good," and the absurd number of new videos being posted by our T11 members on youtube, it is becoming sickening to think about people starting out in magic as a new hobby.
You've made two statements in the above, and combined them, making a loaded "double barrel" statement (which I've outlined above), which is fairly bad form for an argument. Having pointed out both statements, I'll respond to both separately, and hopefully others will be able to do the same from now on. With the way it was originally posted, it could have easily produced a "hobby vs. professional" argument, and I can see that that was not the intention (at least, I'd hope it isn't, because that's a silly argument).
So, your first point (taken from the non-bolded stuff in the above quote), is that people are performing online far too soon after learning a new sleight. They aren't putting in adequate practice, and thus when they try to show off, it comes off as sloppy. And to add insult to injury, they often have a giant ego.
Looking past the ego part, as that seems to be common with a large majority of magicians (both good and bad), I have to agree with the statement. It's the same with a lot of things outside of magic, though, so it's kind of a "no duh" type statement. Have you seen American Idol? Those people think they're the best ever, yet very few can sing worth anything. There's been dance competitions, talent competitions, etc on television of people performing something far before they should be. It looks like magic is no exception (go figure).
As for the second point (the bolded portion in the above quote), you seem to be implying that these people are purely hobbyists. Labeling everyone who doesn't perform adequately as a "hobbyist" is pretty insulting...that implies that they have no intention of doing anything with their magic (in a professional sense). It's pretty difficult to imply intention from skill level--just because they obviously lack the ability to have their magic take them anywhere, does not mean they don't intend for that to happy. I guess it just depends on how you would define "hobbyist", I suppose.
To be honest, this statement will just be preaching to the choir. Those who should listen, won't. Those who agree will sing their praise accordingly.tokyoUW said:Magic is the same way... please put in the effort that is required and get rid of the mindset, "dude... I am like sooo pro now and awesome, and I'm gonna sell ma tricks now, and make money... and get famous.. and stuff."
Treat magic with more respect than that.
People don't like being spoken down to or in a negative tone, and when that happens, they get defensive and listen even less. While I agree that those crotch-shot YouTube videos are just awful, I don't believe this is the way to go about inspiring change.
Now, I realize that sometimes people need to hear the facts, no matter how they sound--but that's just not the best way to go about it. At least, not if you want people to listen. You need a supportive, open discussion where both sides can say what they like, but cut out the negativity and any sense of "I'm better than you" or "I'm more right than you"...it just doesn't support an environment where one wants to listen to you.
If I were to suggest anything to work towards a solution to the problem, it would start with educating those who act in that manner about how to properly treat the art. I'd also lead by example...post up some videos of well executed magic, in front of an audience (the audience is a huge point--the internet as a whole, not just T11, is lacking in videos of people performing in front of real people).
While not a full solution, it's a start, and it would likely accomplish a lot more than just whining to the people does. Like I've mentioned, whining posts like this will just spawn defensiveness in those it targets, and praise from the choir.
Can we get on with the magic, now? I've seen enough whining. Let's see some magic (with an audience present).