If a layman is really willing to fork over $30 for a single trick DVD...let them. It's their loss. What are the chances of that actually happening? Probably pretty slim. I mean, from all the whining on this and other forums, most magicians have a hard enough time handing over $30 for single trick DVDs.
As well, if a layman learns the secret to an effect...so what? It's not the end of the world. Although it may come as a surprise rolleyes, laymen aren't there to be fooled--they're there to be entertained. It's the same reason I can go to a David Copperfield show and still be impressed with what he does--he's not fooling me with every effect (some, but not all--maybe even most, but still not all, heh), but he's definitely entertaining me. And because I've been entertained, I really don't care how he did it (*shocked and surprised*). What? If we do our job a little better, we'll have less to worry about?
Like has been said already, E is a business, just like T11, Penguin, and a sea of other magic companies/retailers/producers/whatever. If you don't like their services, there are plenty of other places you can purchase your effects from. They won't be all that different, just how they sell themselves, but I suppose different fronts appeal to different people. Either way, it's a big world out there, so if you're not happy with E I'm sure you can find another place you'll be happy with (at least, happier with).
As well, if a layman learns the secret to an effect...so what? It's not the end of the world. Although it may come as a surprise rolleyes, laymen aren't there to be fooled--they're there to be entertained. It's the same reason I can go to a David Copperfield show and still be impressed with what he does--he's not fooling me with every effect (some, but not all--maybe even most, but still not all, heh), but he's definitely entertaining me. And because I've been entertained, I really don't care how he did it (*shocked and surprised*). What? If we do our job a little better, we'll have less to worry about?
Like has been said already, E is a business, just like T11, Penguin, and a sea of other magic companies/retailers/producers/whatever. If you don't like their services, there are plenty of other places you can purchase your effects from. They won't be all that different, just how they sell themselves, but I suppose different fronts appeal to different people. Either way, it's a big world out there, so if you're not happy with E I'm sure you can find another place you'll be happy with (at least, happier with).