Breaking the Barrier

[jok3r]

Hey man..

First off: YES, there are some people, who, for varying reasons, will not budge at magic. Usually, YES, it is also possible to impress them - there are many stories of people impressing others who normally don't budge at anything. However, for the most part, it's enough to know that they exist, it's enough to make them even just smile, or nod in appreciation, even if you don't grab the "ZOMGWTFGGPWNAGEQQ" reaction.

I like Ben Long's idea - go with what does appeal to them - if they like analysing things, fool them by appealing to that.

always good advice praetoritevong
=]

 

[cm763]

I do think that this is a good advice, but I dont think it exactly fixes the problem. No matter how well you present a trick, if they know how you do it, they still will. they might not speak up about it, but they still will.

That's the thing though, the problem isn't that they know how the trick is done, it's that they don't feel entertained. I've performed for some people who have been able to catch a few of my sleights, including those who would normally be jerks and heckle, but they were so entertained that they didn't feel the need to call me out on it--they just go along for the ride, since they're having fun.

I really don't think that finding the best trick to fool them is the answer--they'll always have ideas on how you do your tricks. Whether or not they're right isn't the point, they're still making hypotheses in their head anyway (being a mini-scientist is in our nature as human beings, after all). But if you entertain them, make sure they're having fun, then there's no need to worry about whether or not they know how your tricks are done, or whether or not they're trying to figure them out...they're entertained, they're happy, you're not heckled, you're happy--it's win/win--you've done your job as a magician (or mentalist, or flourisher, or whatever).

 

[LuseifHo]

Because by pissing them off, you aren't entertaining them, thus meaning you're failing in your job as a magician.
If you have to resort to making hecklers storm off, that's fine but isn't it better to entertain them and get them on your side? That way everyone's happy and you don't make any enemies.

touche
but have you seen comedians handle hecklers?
both are entertainers, both try to make people happy. But if there is someone trying to ruin it, then why not shut them up. You can never always make everyone happy. I rather make the majority happy than one sad little fellow.

 

[Randomwrath]

touche
but have you seen comedians handle hecklers?
both are entertainers, both try to make people happy. But if there is someone trying to ruin it, then why not shut them up. You can never always make everyone happy. I rather make the majority happy than one sad little fellow.

True, but I think it's best to try and get them on your side if possible.

 

[Shakutau]

I really dont think trying to out do them is the best way possible. I dont know about you guys, but i wanted to do magic because i respected it for being more than which meets the eye, in creativity, in emotion, in purpose, in use, in the ability to remind the world to play again.

You dont hear from pros like Justin Miller saying he layed the smack down on some hullahead spectator for being ignorant. People are bound to be like that. We should carefully reflect on that as well. We dont perform to out do people, in actual, you could/should ask yourself, why do you perform?

If its to look cool then you will never look cool in front of people like them, and ignoring people like them will not help you advance in progress. If people heckle you, it should remind you to improve. Even if they heckle you then, remind yourself to improve.

Wayne talked bout this in one of his daily updates, but thats for like a group situation. A friend and I perform for School kids while they're out of school, and we get this one dude, who heckles my friend a lot, but he always comes back for more and likes to see us perform. You just have to be on a sensible manner; remember always to be kinds, with words and actions.

We will perform for many, like dM said: Level of honesty. Dont go telling a full grown man you do magic. Dont do stuff like that. Its silly. Gotta make them accept what they see first, but dont say a word though. It will ruin it.