274: To His Credit with John Lovick & Seth Kramer

[Scott Wells]

And the beat goes on.

This week we (hopefully) wrap up all the people mentioned in earlier #MagicCereal podcasts by giving a platform to John Lovick and Seth Kramer. Both were mentioned by Gregory Wilson in podcast #268. Gregory requested that I talk with these (and more) to "bring out" all his detractors who have accused him of magi thievery. That way he has everyone's "lies" on record and he can more easily respond to them in a final podcast when he can present the proof and truth. I have chosen not to pursue contacting the string of people waiting in line who feel they have been "wronged" by Greg, but instead to focus just on those whose names have been mentioned in the podcast series.

In this week's podcast, John Lovick (whom Greg referred to as a "another piece of work") responds with detailed crediting of those omitted in the tricks explained on Greg's DVD set. Both of John's reviews of the DVD set are linked on The Magic Word Podcast website, one was the 1,000 word review that was published and the other is the 3,000 original review that, due to space, was edited. John says that Greg has called him a "liar" and his review filled with lies. Greg promised on numerous occasions to submit his proof of John's lies, but to date, no document has been forthcoming. Perhaps this will be resolved when Greg returns for his "final defense" in a future podcast.

At the end of the podcast, Seth Kramer joins us for a brief conversation wherein he provides the providence of his card moves/tricks that Greg found "painfully unremarkable" though he published/marketed nonetheless...without credit to Seth despite those moves/tricks being published in two separate publications that predated Gregory's publication. Seth also responds to Greg's allegations that the moves are different.

You can get the important links crediting these things, see some photos, read the blog, listen to the podcast online, and download the MP3 files at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwel ... and-kramer

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Thanks for listening!

[Brad Henderson]

wondering if our recent addition from Canada has anything to say about this edition of the podcast.

[performer]

Who is the recent addition from Canada?

[Brad Henderson]

the person who has posted in defense of Wilson. RK identified his account as originating from Canada.

[Scott Wells]

wondering if our recent addition from Canada has anything to say about this edition of the podcast.

Strangely all quiet on the northern front.

[prodigy]

Thanks for doing these podcasts, Scott. Appreciate the effort you went through to bring this issue into light.

[Q. Kumber]

I've been listening to John Lovick's podcast and have two comments dealing with Pat Page's Easy Money and Fred Kaps' Flash Cash.

John mentions that during Pat's last illness he (Pat) was unable to make a DVD about Easy Money for Fun Inc. and that John stood in for him, with all royalties going to Pat. John mentions that he assumed this money would go towards Pat's medical bills. Fortunately Pat lived in a country with universal health care so there would be no medical bills.

John mentions that in his opinion Easy Money is better for close-up and the Kaps' version better for stage. With this, I disagree. I think the Kpas version, which is totally different in method is better for close-up. Easy Money was originally designed for a stand-up act.

Having said that, both versions are great tricks.

[Jon Racherbaumer]

I believe that recognizing and honoring provenance is important. Taking care to acknowledge those who create and contribute material to the Published Record is NECESSARY and OBLIGATORY.

In the past, I have been involved in this often complicated and hazardous process, which had mixed results…especially when “things” turned into unintended “blood sport” and became ugly and “personal.” When this happens, discourse becomes charged with invective, slander, and ad hominem attacks. Everything veers “off topic.”

Unfortunately, plagiarism exists in the world, especially in our magic community. Tricks, sleights, presentations, and ideas are routinely nicked, ripped, and plundered. Minds, hearts, and souls are hacked and reputations are muddied. Sometimes lawsuits are filed. Sometimes the guilty are “called out.” Some are subjected to (at least) verbal censure.

Unfortunately, most punishments are negligible. Except for piecemeal ostracism and other lightweight forms of shunning, the guilty parties are unpunished.

The tumult and shouting subsides.
All “dust ups” settle.
The caravan moves on.
The pirates and plunderers regroup.
The parasitism continues.

Meanwhile, the truth is still “out there” and securely rests in the growing number of robust Archives. Therein honor and recognition remains unsullied and enduringly dominant. Therein thieves have no presence or future.

Onward…

[Jonathan Townsend]

...most punishments are negligible. Except for piecemeal ostracism and other lightweight forms of shunning, the guilty parties are unpunished.

The tumult and shouting subsides.
All “dust ups” settle.
The caravan moves on.
The pirates and plunderers regroup.
The parasitism continues.

Meanwhile, ...

It gets interesting when they also seek protection for works under copyright on the grounds that the text has its own merit without regard to the provenance of the data conveyed.

Jon, have you read the story "Killing Time"? What do you say to that argument about authenticity?

[Jon Racherbaumer]

The most authentic aspects about what's true are the untruths that surround and define it.
Carr's story probes and prods the crux of the matter.

[Bill Mullins]

Interesting commentary on this "kerfuffle".

[Brad Henderson]

a point not to be forgotten:

"So the sad thing for Greg is, when he runs the license plate for the bus he got thrown under, he's going to find it's registered in his own name."