Is This **Right**!?
Hey everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Ace, and I'd like to ask for your thoughts on a specific topic.
I'm curious to hear your opinions on magic tricks being exposed for free on easily accessible platforms worldwide, and also about magic exposures in general, whether it's on magic event platforms or forums like this one.
First off, I've seen quite a few videos where paid routines or techniques are exposed for free online. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and your reasons why.
Because I'm seeing a lot of debate around it.
On one hand, I understand and believe that some magic can be revealed without any issue, but other magic shouldn't be exposed; this is to protect the art itself.
There are many routines that magicians use and create, and many others that are sold, which have been exposed through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and similar sites where anyone can easily access them, and for free in the case of paid routines or techniques.
And I don't think that's right because it exposes magic itself and impacts magicians who have likely spent years working on their material. It's really upsetting when these types of things are exposed. We see examples of this with routines by Shin Lim, Eric Chien, Asi Wind, and especially lately, I've seen a lot of exposure of Juan Tamariz and his Mnemonica stack.
These are truly magicians who have dedicated years to their routines, and it's not just that; the Magic and the ART are also lost.
And even more so on such open platforms like YouTube or similar.but I also believe there's magic that *could* be revealed, but in more closed-off environments, for example, on this forum – tricks that wouldn't harm the creator or magic itself.
But then there's the other side of the coin: those who say if you don't want to know how it's done, just don't watch the video; that *you're* the one who damages the illusion. They claim, “nobody can force us not to seek the truth, and we should always be searching for the truth so that darkness doesn't overcome light.”
In my opinion, and as Miquel Roma would say, there's magic meant to be shared, but other magic shouldn't be exposed to protect the art.
Because if I were to make a thread or a YouTube video right now, for instance, exposing Asi Wind's Double Exposure, I think many would be against it, either because they bought the trick or because they don't think it's right. But others might say, “Thanks for the exposé, keep doing what you're doing, champ!” It's a very open topic, and I'd really like to know what you all think.
Likewise, I'd like to hear everyone's opinion, even if you believe it *should* be exposed, and I'd like to know your reasons why. (Let's be honest, a large portion of magicians are the very ones asking for these routines to be revealed.)
“and I won't deny it”………
I'VE BEEN THERE TOO!!! I've been part of wanting to know those revelations; I've even asked for help with many things on this very forum. That's why I'd particularly like to hear from those who believe routines *should* be revealed.
I'd really like to hear many opinions on this topic here on this server.
Without further ado, best regards & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
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Hey there.
First off, Happy New Year!
And...for now...just a quick comment.
@OierAgirresarobe:
There are NO easy or bad tricks; there's only a good or bad execution of a trick.
An "easy" trick is any trick a magician performs correctly.
A "bad" trick is any trick that's performed poorly.
Thanks so much for the correction. As I've mentioned, I'm still pretty much a beginner or intermediate, so about a third of what I say on this forum might not be totally accurate. But I still like to share my thoughts and help others out.
Thanks!
First, I need to distinguish between two types of trick revelations: those aimed at exposing a secret to a general audience (like YouTube exposes of famous routines) and those with a didactic purpose (like the ones shared in this club or during private live streams).
In my opinion, as a beginner or intermediate magician myself, it's essential that easy tricks are revealed. Many people (myself included) get their first taste of magic through YouTube, TikTok videos, and so on.
If there isn't free magic content available, I think it's really hard for aspiring magicians to join the magic community. It's unlikely you'd invest in magic if you haven't first confirmed your interest through free material. For instance, before I decided to buy the 'How to be a Magician 2.0' kit, I got hooked watching Julio's YouTube videos.
On the other hand, I believe there's high-level, paid content that should never be revealed in open public forums by anyone other than the trick's creator. I think this shows a lack of respect for the magician who dedicated time and effort to creating the trick, and for the buyers who spent their hard-earned money to acquire it.
I must admit that if valuable content is revealed online, I'm quick to check it out. Whether I watch it or not, the video will still be there, and I watch it with the goal of learning. However, that doesn't mean I find such publications anything less than wrong or immoral.
Finally, I believe it's acceptable (to a certain extent) for knowledge beyond what should be revealed in open public forums to be shared for didactic purposes in places dedicated to learning and sharing magic, like this forum. This helps elevate the skill level among the magicians in our club.
However, I think this knowledge should be shared through messages and videos (it's even more enriching if everyone shares their own versions), because if you want the original explanation from the creating magician, I believe the only proper way to get it is to buy the effect or have the creator reveal it to you personally.
Happy New Year, everyone!! 🥳
I came across a video on the subject. It's super interesting; it's by magician Santi Marcilla. Here's the link.
Happy 2024 everyone. This seems to be the never-ending debate. So, here's the take from a beginner who's been into magic for a little over a year:
First, I want to share my experience of how I got here. One day, I wanted to recall the famous 21-card trick, and since I couldn't remember it, I decided to look it up on YouTube. That's where I found Julio, Borja, Italo Castillo, Magus, and many others (in English too, though those are harder for me to understand, haha). Anyway, it rekindled my childhood passion, and I became a self-taught amateur magician. So, obviously, I'm definitely in favor of public revelations. Also, for me, they're the only real way to learn (besides this club, of course), because living in Cuba, I don't have access to paid content. The materials I do have are because I had the chance to travel to Lisbon for World Youth Day with Pope Francis and spent a few days in Madrid, where I was able to pick up some decks and 2 or 3 tricks at the As de Magia store (MagiayCardistry prices are better, but online purchases weren't an option for me 😉). And as for books... well, just the PDFs I find online.
Regarding the topic of protecting magic itself, or its secrets, I think this question is worth asking (and perhaps this could be its own separate topic): What is magic itself? Is it the trick itself, or is it that "atmosphere" of illusion, that making-the-impossible-possible, that the magician is able to create? If it's the latter, I believe it doesn't depend on whether the secret is known or not; it depends on the magician's quality, their artistry. For example, I still never get tired of watching Jordi Caps' videos on Got Talent, the season he won. I already know how he did, or could have done, almost all the routines (even if I can't do them myself), and I still enjoy it, and it evokes emotions in me, etc. It's the same thing that happens when you watch an action movie with lots of special effects and all that... you know it's not real, that it's computer-generated, but that doesn't stop you from enjoying it and paying for a movie ticket, etc.
So, in that sense, I believe (and again, this is a beginner's opinion) that for a magician whose livelihood depends on keeping their tricks secret... hmmm.
As for revealing paid content, well, it depends on the purpose (in terms of the morality of the act, I mean). If it's to teach a buddy, then I don't see a problem. For instance, if I buy a book (on any topic), is it immoral to lend it to someone so they can read it? Or would that person have to buy the book if they wanted to know its contents?
Now, if the goal is to badmouth someone to stop people from buying what they sell, etc., then that's another matter. But in that case, the harm isn't to magic itself, but to the person who legitimately makes a living from selling these products, and that's what makes the act immoral (the harm to the person).
On the other hand, what's been said before is true: someone who doesn't want to learn magic isn't interested in these things.
And well, I'll stop here because this has gotten pretty long for a one-year beginner's opinion (sorry about that).
Cheers everyone
Regardless of whether it's correct or not, that's one of the best responses I've read. Thanks so much for sharing your input! 😁
First off, THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION AND PERSPECTIVE
(and it's super condensed because this topic could spark a really long debate)
@magicamente:
My take is = Total freedom.
Everyone should do whatever they want.
Think about it: if you're not actively searching for revelations, you won't stumble upon them.
And often, even when those revelations are out there, you have to really dig to find the links.
So if you're seeing a revelation pop up on your YouTube, TikTok, etc., it's because you've been doing those searches repeatedly. Otherwise, they just don't appear.
On another note, you can always watch the video and just not hit "like" (that way the algorithm won't push it as much).
@magicamente:
Paid routines and techniques, you say?
🙄..., in magic, a lot of stuff gets sold that really ought to be free (because it's more public domain than truly secret)—and yet, they still sell it to you.
Any reputable magician will sell you the same classic techniques and routines everyone else does, over and over again—just with their own personal flair.
You'll often find routines that aren't identical but are very similar from different magicians.
They just sell the same product with their personal style (which I don't see as a bad thing and is perfectly legitimate).
A transversal control Pass, no matter which magician teaches it to you, is the same in every instance.
Then, as for gimmicks, it's not the first time (and won't be the last) that I've come up with an idea, only to find out it was "already invented"—and even being sold.
When I say "MINE," I mean that I arrived at that idea independently, without any prior knowledge (that someone else had already reached the same conclusion), only to later discover it was already "created" by another.
Does my idea suddenly lose value just because someone else thought of it first???? Honestly, I don't care if the product is being sold. If I came up with that conclusion before I knew about it, then the idea is just as much mine as it is theirs, end of story.
I've reached a point where, after watching an effect a few times, 90% of the time I figure out the secret myself (or I create a similar routine or gimmick). So personally, it doesn't affect me one bit, and I couldn't care less if they reveal everything under the sun (because I usually don't need it anyway).
To top it all off, I honestly believe that these days, you could reveal a trick on national television during prime time, and still..., over half the viewers would forget it by the next day. And by the day after that, barely 10% would even remember the revelation.
Basically, if something "doesn't interest you enough," it doesn't matter if you're told—you won't remember it anyway.
An interesting but different take. Thanks for sharing!
My aim in asking for your thoughts on this subject is to really get the magic community talking and reflecting. Hopefully, we can all learn from this and figure out the best way to handle these kinds of situations. I'm hoping this discussion can be helpful, and I'm keen to learn from all of you too.
I think it really comes down to the magician's skill level. For instance, if you're a beginner or intermediate magician, you'll probably rely more on publicly exposed tricks. But if you're advanced or professional, you'll rarely need those kinds of reveals.
Between those two, I definitely see myself as a beginner or intermediate. I'd love nothing more than to jump on YouTube and watch "Make Your Choice by Julio Montoro revealed," but I know that's not the right path. However, for the really simple, less-effective tricks, I'm totally fine with those being exposed.
Happy New Year and goodbye.
I think some tricks, like the ones Julio Rivera teaches, are fine to expose. They're usually just for family and friends and don't really affect anyone. However, I recently saw a video on YouTube revealing Double Cross, and I think that's wrong. It's an expensive effect that many magicians use in their street magic routines.