How to Learn Magic - Go to a Magic Shop Ever so Often
It has become increasingly apparent that unthinking and unappreciative or simply totally unknowing magicians, along with the internet and a surfeit of discount on-line magic dealers, are driving brick-and-mortar local magic shops out of business.
Why is this a problem? Just think about it.
In many cases, if not most, the local magic shop supports the local magic organization(s) often providing free meeting rooms; keeping the members informed about the latest miracles; demonstrating tricks; offering advice on what suits an individual customer; guiding novices and professionals alike on what best suits their abilities, persona's, and venues; etc.
Frequently these dealers run classes for the beginning magicians teaching them far more than just how to do tricks.
And, if nothing else, provide a place where magicians can gather to meet and share (and perhaps even buy something).
Most unfortunately, there are those who go to the local shops, see an effect demonstrated, perhaps even learn how it is done, who then go home, get on the internet and buy it cheaper there.
Of course, the internet dealer can sell it cheaper, he has minimal overhead, does not have to physically demonstrate a trick, pay helper in the store, keep the place clean, and perhaps not even maintain an inventory if he can get others to drop ship the items for him.
Shameful? Absolutely, how cheap can one get? Pity even more the magic dealer who tries to develop and produce his own items.
In many cases, they are immediately ripped off and sold cheaper because the ripper had no developmental cost, and frequently produces and inferior product.
Then, there is an even worse problem.
it occurs with those who have stumbled into magic on the internet and know nothing about magic organizations or magic ethics.
Discovering chat rooms, they make "magic Internet friends," and think nothing about sharing secrets with them.
And, not just those in the public domain, but the latest tricks being sold ("Hey this is great, all you need is some 3"x5" envelopes, scissors, and a magic marker and you can make this up.
I will send you the instructions.
").
I understand that this sort of thing is rampant.
I intend to right more about this in subsequent articles.
Let's make this a day where you visit the old brick and mortar.
Why is this a problem? Just think about it.
In many cases, if not most, the local magic shop supports the local magic organization(s) often providing free meeting rooms; keeping the members informed about the latest miracles; demonstrating tricks; offering advice on what suits an individual customer; guiding novices and professionals alike on what best suits their abilities, persona's, and venues; etc.
Frequently these dealers run classes for the beginning magicians teaching them far more than just how to do tricks.
And, if nothing else, provide a place where magicians can gather to meet and share (and perhaps even buy something).
Most unfortunately, there are those who go to the local shops, see an effect demonstrated, perhaps even learn how it is done, who then go home, get on the internet and buy it cheaper there.
Of course, the internet dealer can sell it cheaper, he has minimal overhead, does not have to physically demonstrate a trick, pay helper in the store, keep the place clean, and perhaps not even maintain an inventory if he can get others to drop ship the items for him.
Shameful? Absolutely, how cheap can one get? Pity even more the magic dealer who tries to develop and produce his own items.
In many cases, they are immediately ripped off and sold cheaper because the ripper had no developmental cost, and frequently produces and inferior product.
Then, there is an even worse problem.
it occurs with those who have stumbled into magic on the internet and know nothing about magic organizations or magic ethics.
Discovering chat rooms, they make "magic Internet friends," and think nothing about sharing secrets with them.
And, not just those in the public domain, but the latest tricks being sold ("Hey this is great, all you need is some 3"x5" envelopes, scissors, and a magic marker and you can make this up.
I will send you the instructions.
").
I understand that this sort of thing is rampant.
I intend to right more about this in subsequent articles.
Let's make this a day where you visit the old brick and mortar.
