I never said my audience views the two decks the same way, i'm saying that the dirty deck has it's place if you use it properly. Whether you choose to try and make it work for you should be your own business. If it works, great, you're striving for creativity and something different rather than following someone elses beliefs on a certian matter. To think that if it doesn't work for everyone else then it can't work for anyone at all is extremely close minded. If no one ever tried to break the boundries, nothing would ever advance.
I don't know why you feel it necessary to make this point - as it was my point. Moreover, this point further gives reason to why SPONGES, which was the original point - may not work for some characters - and I would think Gothic guys might be one of them, if you realize that or not. Again, no disrespect. You can force a square peg in a round hole if you want, I do believe that some things can work for some, and not others - but I also believe there are some black and whites. Sponges do work for me, but I am not a Goth...or whatever - However, I find it odd that a deck of cards, that can relate to Taro readings - Hugard said only few can pull off...but SPONGE BALLS are TOTALLY within the grasp of a "dark" magician. (for a lack of a better name)
But like I said, in reference to magic, it depends on who you play too. Clowns are often regarded as funny individuals who are simply trying to make you laugh, yet there are still people who are terrified of them. Say you're a magician, how often do you play to skeptics? Would you sit down in a room full of hecklers and do an ACR?
This makes no sense to me - sorry - none of it. People are afraid of clowns because of the child molester preconceived notion or the movie IT by King - yet, this once again proves my point in the visual nature of a preconceived notion...like a prop in your hand.
In reading what you've wrote Morgician, it comes off like you think people are taking this in a completely untainted real sense. Nobody goes to a show and actually believes what they're seeing is real, as much as nobody runs up to Sean Connery on the streets and thinks he's going to save the day. Our job is to make them believe it's real for the time that they're watching our performance the same way it's a Film Crews job to make them believe Tom Cruise is really a spy. People go to Movies and to Theatres to watch plays because it's entertainment. It's real enough untill the lights come back on.
You are misunderstanding me then - becuase I think the opposite - I don't think people think it to be real at all. I also don't think, unless you do a stage act or charge a ticket price, that people suspend their disbelief so easily. If you do table magic, people don't expect a show - so they are unprepared to do such a thing. If you pay a ticket price, like at the movies, you have made a commitment to engage what happens - this is why Copperfield can get away with flying on stage, but I have seen so many bar performers get "invisible" thread ripped from their ITRs as people call them on it. I think if you leave them with no outs, people are forced into submission - and if you do your job really well (like I do) then they have fun doing it, and will gladly join next time. I digress.
The point is, there's no stone set guideline for what props should and shouldn't be used with what image you want to portray. Just because I can't throw a football a hundred yards doesn't mean it's impossible for someone else to do it. If we have the same character and sponges don't work for you, why the hell does that make it impossible for me to make them work if I choose the right people to play them off to?
I disagree - some things are impossible - you can't hold your breath forever, you cant' fly on your own, you can't seem to understand how props can effect personal character and sponge balls....for someone who is Goth, seem like an odd prop. Use something else, and I bet you 100 dollars, you will get a better reaction...but more importantly, a better impact. I think it funny that you 100% believe that they "work" for you - but I ask - have you tried something else? Do you disagree, because you feel they fit - or are you afraid to see me right? As, if you used the same plot, with objects that match your style, how would they play. Tricks are tricks...I am sure people "freak out" when you do sponge balls...yet, I am certain they clash - and if you used something that matched your character...and if you tell me one more time that sponges do...PIECES OF SPONGE...match your character, then I will see that we are certainly not thinking of magic as art...but just props, tricks and methods - and then we are not on the same line of thinking at all.
Whether I agree with your argument or not, i'm atleast making the effort to understand it. "A wise man can learn more from a foolish answer than a fool can learn from a wise answer." - Bruce Lee
Here is how I feel, Bruce Lee fan:
It was obvious to the master from the start of the conversation that the professorwas not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in impressing themaster with his own opinions and knowledge. As the Zen teacher explained, thelearned man would frequently interrupt him with remarks like, "Oh, yes, we havethat too..." and so on.Finally, the Zen teacher stopped talking and began to serve tea to the learnedman. He poured the cup full, then kept pouring until the cup overflowed."Enough!" the learned man once more interrupted. "The cup is overfull, no morewill go in!""Indeed, I see," answered the Zen teacher. "Like this cup, you are full of your ownopinions and speculations. If you do not first empty your cup, how can you tastemy cup of tea?"
Now how the hell does this apply? Just because i'm choosing a Dark Gothic-like character doesn't mean my brain can no longer function properly. I also said it depends on who you play the character to. I get the feeling you're not understanding that. If i'm playing a satanic individual, #1, no parent is going to hire me for a childs party. #2, given my character, why the hell would I accept if they were stupid enough to make the offer in the first place? Try to remember, we're talking about a character, not your own personal personality. That seemed like a very desperate attempt to try and get your point across. And a sick one at that.
I am talking about the Hugard character here - as I don't know yours - as this conversation is about the PASSAGE - and THAT performance style. If you feel you match that. I get the feeling you change character based on our audience - then this isn't character....actually, it is confusing. Sure, we act different ways in different groups, but this is letting the audience take control in performance. Moreoever, in Psychology dealing with personality disorders - they say that finding yourself is acting the same in various social circles - or you are really just trying to please everyone, but NOT being yourself. If I saw you at a bar, then hired you for my house party, and then for a kid show...and saw 3 different guys - that shows inconsistent belief...sorry man, but if you are ashamed to be your character - then perhaps you should reconsider your image or what you do. Jack of all trades...
The sponge ding dong comment was an argument to rediculum, but as always...someone tries to take it literally. Let's move on from that - you obviously missed the point. To say it is a sick attempt - you really need to get over yourself.
I never said magicians 
. Who the hell cares if they do or do not use them? I'm not them, and neither are you, along with the rest of us on this forum. I'd rather not judge what does and doesn't fit my character based on what doesn't fit theirs. If that is however your choice, feel free. My puppet strings don't run down to your arms and legs.
This is you being a condescending douche bag.
If you're not going to read what I write I might aswell leave you blank posts and let you fill them in. In my first example, they don't see anything untill the first part of the script has been spoken. The script wasn't even about the sponges, the sponges are a mere representation. Hense why the smoke enhances the idea that you're distingusing light.
I did read your words - but your words - and your props don't mix well. This is my point. THE SHOW STARTS ON IMAGE - You see them as representations - which is why I made the sponge ding dong comment - as if the prop doesn't matter, why not use anything? Oh - why not - because the prop matters - you are dong a connected and intelligent presentation with NERF BALLS...wow, very classy. Personally, I think it taints it - but I don't want to cut your strings.
I simply quoted it because I like the way it sounds. Nothing more.[/QUOTE]
This is a way to say - you agree with it - nothing more - but perhaps I read too much into your ability to pick up on critical thinking and what the point of this was.
Man - what happened to us!? I thought you got it!
