Is the internet ruining Magic?

[visualartist]

I will probably make some enemies by this post, but I could care less really. I have been away from magic for a while and actually have not performed in a long while. Back into magic now, I am shocked at the impact the internet has had on our wonderful craft. Of course there are some good things, such as Theory 11 D) and the availability of magic stores, but I have never seen so many unprincipled people in my life revealing everything! My god, just by watching youtube you can learn the hindu shuffle, false cuts, double-lifts, and about everything else. The only bright side is these people will never be very good because of their lack of foundation. CARD COLLEGE! Anyways, I'm sure it's not just me who feels this way. I have to restrain myself from commenting these videos because as we all know arguing on the internet is kinda like the Special Olympics....I won't finish that as it's not very nice Thanks for listening to my rant.

Well that particular problem is inevitable. You cant stop the internet or youtube so there is no use stressing about it.
Exposure has been covered over and over.Laymen dont generally go on youtube to look up explanation for effects.They would even know how to find it. You would tell them the specific name of an effect would you?Like stigmata or control.No,magicians dont(shouldnt) do that.
Ive performed effects that have been exposed(on T.V. and youtube) and my none of my spectators have said a thing.I have some of course that do say "oh I know how he does that" but those are just hecklers.
So no.I dont think its ruining magic.

 

[Bizzaro]

Here's the thing... it's NOT damaging to magicians out there making their living from performing! At least not those that are any good. There are still thousands of pros out there performing day in and day out, booking gigs and doing shows. Whether Youtube exists or not, I don't think that would change.

Exposure has never hurt me before, and I don't anticipate it ever will. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. *I* offer something that can't be exposed, and that's me. People don't pay me good money to perform at their event because I do some cool tricks, they hire me because I'm me! My personality, my ability to entertain an audience...stuff that can't be exposed nor taken from me.

Those that worry about youtube will continue to do so, and use that as an excuse and a crutch why their magic and their "career" (if you can call it that) isn't where they feel it should. There are others out there that pay no attention to it, and it has never affected them at all.

Best.
Steve

I wasn't saying it DOES but merely some sort of reason so you don't go to a website saying things like "Headless kids are ruining my hobby!" I agree that if you do your own magic (that you don't sell on popular websites) you should be safe. I was just merely throwing that out there. I personally don't give two S%$&s.

I don't particulary like how magic has become a buisness in some regards; it sort of takes away its mysterious-ness. Personally, I don't want more people becoming magicians, it takes away the wonder and mystery of it. That's why I don't like Ellusionist's "You too can learn magic now at ellusionist.com!" I don't want magic to become "just another hobby," like sports, music, or collecting. I would like magicians to be few and far between...I never want to see the day when spectators say, "Oh look, it's another magician." Like I said, I think magic should be mysterious and should inspire wonder(kinda like d+M's website, lol)

Z

I agree. I have never been a fan of the over-commercialism of magic in the last decade. However, just remember. The more magicians suck, the better you might look. (Depending how good you are)

 

[romeo sierra]

I agree. I have never been a fan of the over-commercialism of magic in the last decade. However, just remember. The more magicians suck, the better you might look. (Depending how good you are)

It's funny. I seem to look at things with the glass half empty. The more other magicians suck, the more difficult it will be to win over an audience. Preconceived notions are sometimes the hardest things to break down. There've been times certain managements wouldn't give me the time of day because they had bad experiences with other magicians in the past. It's unfortunate but very, very true. Which is why I disagree with a lot of the commercialism in modern magic also. So much of it inspires poor taste.

RS.