Search found 304 matches

by El Harvey Oswald
December 1st, 2012, 2:38 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Make a Donation to Help Wayne Houchin
Replies: 20
Views: 5088

Re: Make a Donation to Help Wayne Houchin

Wayne Houchin's own summary of the incident directly and indirectly addresses each of the points of skepticism posted above. That said, if any time someone who presents a possible counter-narrative were silenced merely by claims that it's "offensive" or "disrespectful," then any ...
by El Harvey Oswald
November 19th, 2012, 1:13 am
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Floating Table spam
Replies: 62
Views: 14264

Re: Floating Table spam

I find that deleting and/or "unsubscribing" works.
by El Harvey Oswald
October 1st, 2012, 8:35 am
Forum: General
Topic: Emotional Magic
Replies: 20
Views: 3868

Re: Emotional Magic

Well said. The narratives accompanying performances often appear to be premised on the narrow understanding of "emotion" that you describe. Yet as you note, curiosity (perhaps with envy or admiration underlying it) has at least as potent an emotional content as the emotions performers atte...
by El Harvey Oswald
September 19th, 2012, 3:53 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (September 2012)
Replies: 16
Views: 5158

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (September 2012)

Perhaps so; interesting point. It manifests differently, at different times among performances. I think you're right. I'd give anything to have the experience of going in, not knowing, and having the sensation of recognizing he lacks what I would have assumed to be an ability/sense indispensable to ...
by El Harvey Oswald
September 13th, 2012, 6:56 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Magic Castle Cards
Replies: 34
Views: 7591

Re: New Magic Castle Cards

The "margin is safe" only if they also cost only $1 more to make.
by El Harvey Oswald
September 12th, 2012, 9:51 pm
Forum: Book of The Month Club
Topic: Book for a Year – Secret Agenda by Roberto Giobbi
Replies: 133
Views: 115258

Re: Book for a Year – Secret Agenda by Roberto Giobbi

Much as painting can inform literature or poets can take something from ballet, good movies can suggest, if indirectly, aspects of good magic. Not a lot of mystery to the connection.
by El Harvey Oswald
September 11th, 2012, 1:39 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hank Lee
Replies: 425
Views: 121232

Re: Hank Lee

You might turn out to be right on that score. I'm assuming he's rational, and recognizes that if he does return to the business it will be under scrutiny that would make it impossible to falsely charge even a thumb tip. But perhaps you have picked up on a tendency toward denial that I've not suffici...
by El Harvey Oswald
September 11th, 2012, 11:27 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Magic Castle Cards
Replies: 34
Views: 7591

Re: New Magic Castle Cards

Old-style Magic Castle cards from the early days turn up in the Francis Carlyle book and I believe Bruce Cervon is using them in some book photos. This was baffling in light of the quality they had recently fallen to before the re-design; but RK solves the mystery by relating the cachet these decks ...
by El Harvey Oswald
September 10th, 2012, 6:48 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hank Lee
Replies: 425
Views: 121232

Re: Hank Lee

He's a good enough guy, though he never inspired me to superlatives like "nicest guy you'd ever want to meet." (Of course anything short of that risks being deemed "harsh" or "hating on" someone. "Nicest guy you'd ever want to meet" is the new "he's fine....
by El Harvey Oswald
September 9th, 2012, 1:38 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New Magic Castle Cards
Replies: 34
Views: 7591

Re: New Magic Castle Cards

They're nice
by El Harvey Oswald
September 7th, 2012, 10:05 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Confessions Of Real Mind Readers
Replies: 11
Views: 4279

Re: Confessions Of Real Mind Readers

Allow to believe? What about these believers allowing themselves to be such dolts?
by El Harvey Oswald
September 7th, 2012, 9:49 am
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: NY strippers argue for "Tax exempt status"
Replies: 4
Views: 1688

Re: NY strippers argue for "Tax exempt status"

Brainwave decks are seeking the same status.
by El Harvey Oswald
September 7th, 2012, 9:48 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Maven & Gilbreath Principle
Replies: 53
Views: 40211

Re: Maven & Gilbreath Principle

I believe that Norman Gilbreath's book will in fact be out this year, or early next year.
by El Harvey Oswald
September 5th, 2012, 4:32 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hank Lee
Replies: 425
Views: 121232

Re: Hank Lee

People have actually denied his guilt, notwithstanding his own admission? That's certainly odd; though I don't quite see how it implies that's the only thing to talk about.
by El Harvey Oswald
September 5th, 2012, 2:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hank Lee
Replies: 425
Views: 121232

Re: Hank Lee

Not "fair enough." Constraining conversation only to officially adjudicated facts is preposterously limiting and, in any event, you just run into disputes about what is and is not a fact, disputes that are indistinguishable from those about whether an opinion strays too far from sound reas...
by El Harvey Oswald
September 5th, 2012, 9:05 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hank Lee
Replies: 425
Views: 121232

Re: Hank Lee

"He doesnt want the results of his psychological evaluation to be released because he is narcissistically attempting to preserve his illusory good guy persona." Or perhaps the evaluation is a splattering of DSM jargon and he is simply making a motion to seal the record because that's what ...
by El Harvey Oswald
August 31st, 2012, 11:18 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (August 2012)
Replies: 13
Views: 4143

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (August 2012)

Alba, early Parlor: Like John Carney, she infuses simple, classic effects with the energy of her enchanting, witty presence. More than just experiencing "mystery" or coming away satisfactorily entertained, I left her show, twice, feeling content, optimistic and momentarily unburdened. Well...
by El Harvey Oswald
August 14th, 2012, 1:54 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Poll: With which magician would you like to spend an evening talking magic?
Replies: 82
Views: 19668

Re: Poll: With which magician would you like to spend an evening talking magic?

Elusive, enigmatic Tony Picasso performs for selects groups in hidden quarters of the Magic Castle; for those who can handle the truth, he's the thinking person's choice here. Picasso has the most trenchant insights on the divide between good magic and bad magic. Can sometimes be found holding court...
by El Harvey Oswald
August 11th, 2012, 6:05 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Poll: With which magician would you like to spend an evening talking magic?
Replies: 82
Views: 19668

Re: Poll: With which magician would you like to spend an evening talking magic?

I would second the vote for R.K., as well, on all the grounds noted. He's had the creer of a 90 year old; looks like he's 30; and everyone says he does the best pass this side of Derek Dingle.
by El Harvey Oswald
July 27th, 2012, 1:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

Precisely; and it's time to retire the tired, played-out "doth protest" trope. Few contrasts are more stark than that between Stone's book and, say, The Complete Works of Derek Dingle or the Bro. Hamman book.
by El Harvey Oswald
July 25th, 2012, 1:06 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Zig-zag girl with cylinders pushed through?
Replies: 15
Views: 8284

Re: Zig-zag girl with cylinders pushed through?

*obligatory Harbin's-original-presentation-is-only-legitimate-way-to-do-Zig-Zag comment + obligatory vague reference to primacy of audience being "entertained"*

(The MiniKUbeZag or whatever it's called blows.)
by El Harvey Oswald
July 11th, 2012, 3:26 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: FISM Starts off with a Narcissistic Bang
Replies: 37
Views: 12410

Re: FISM Starts off with a Narcissistic Bang

"Hell, I understood the parody and i'm an illusionist... and a blond!"

brilliant
by El Harvey Oswald
July 9th, 2012, 11:26 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hack Lines that Magicians Should Avoid
Replies: 11
Views: 4109

Re: Hack Lines that Magicians Should Avoid

Even if these lines aren't played out and unfunny in 100 percent of all circumstances, it's close enough to 100 percent that they should only be used after some candid deliberation, and after having received some an honest, critical assessment from someone else. That input from someone else is harde...
by El Harvey Oswald
July 8th, 2012, 11:44 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Choosing a memorized deck
Replies: 18
Views: 6149

Re: Choosing a memorized deck

Do a couple of anti-faros from Si Stebbins; then you'll have a stack that's two faros from Si Stebbins
by El Harvey Oswald
July 6th, 2012, 12:14 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Hack Lines that Magicians Should Avoid
Replies: 11
Views: 4109

Re: Hack Lines that Magicians Should Avoid

"IMHO, it's often not that the lines are "hack" in and of themselves, but rather the performer who is." The lines are inherently unfunny, cliche, played-out. This corollary to "no such thing as a bad trick" is even less apt than the application to tricks. Performers see...
by El Harvey Oswald
July 4th, 2012, 12:56 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

"For those of you in the Los Angeles area, Mr. Stone will be discussing and signing his book on Tuesday, July 10, at 7PM, at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd, in West Hollywood. Might make for a lively evening. See you there!" Not at all clear that a broader audience will align with the dominan...
by El Harvey Oswald
July 1st, 2012, 12:36 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Max Maven – Off Broadway
Replies: 26
Views: 8330

Re: Max Maven – Off Broadway

But how is his ambitious card?
by El Harvey Oswald
June 29th, 2012, 9:13 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Max Maven – Off Broadway
Replies: 26
Views: 8330

Re: Max Maven – Off Broadway

"close to, but not on the mark, of doing a drawing duplication"

That's the way to do it, though just how to "imperfect" it is not so clear. No doubt Max hits just the right register.
by El Harvey Oswald
June 28th, 2012, 2:17 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

"I wanted to become a magician simply because I wanted to know its secrets." I suspect this is the dominant motivation, and it's obscured by the transparently fake, high-minded responses that are so often given in response to the question. I find it extremely difficult to accurately re-con...
by El Harvey Oswald
June 24th, 2012, 1:56 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

Generally you need strong reviews, a huge popular following, or inside information on the formula, none of which seems to be present here.
by El Harvey Oswald
June 24th, 2012, 1:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

Well said; that distinction eluded me. I was beginning to find "self-promotion" a soft, even disingenuous criticism here; but that of course defines the difference. The "Sleights of Mind" authors also promoted their book and themselves, of course, but to a lesser, more modest deg...
by El Harvey Oswald
June 24th, 2012, 9:18 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

"Sleights of Mind" includes a description of the retention vanish that's quite similar to the recent Alex Stone New York Times piece, and it's Jamy Ian Swiss who demonstrates and explains the move to the authors in "Sleights of Mind." In that I found that to be an entirely legiti...
by El Harvey Oswald
June 23rd, 2012, 2:40 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

My recollection is that "Sleights of Mind" did in fact reveal secrets/methods, though perhaps the "real" distinction identifies things more likely to actually be performed.
by El Harvey Oswald
June 23rd, 2012, 2:11 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

Despite being reluctant to partly part ways with RK, Ricky Jay and Jamy Ian Swiss, and suspecting I might well change my mind, I have to come down on the side of finding the NY Times piece interesting, and the description of the retention vanish useful in illuminating the point it makes. This exampl...
by El Harvey Oswald
June 22nd, 2012, 11:49 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

I don't do the A.W.E Shift.
by El Harvey Oswald
June 22nd, 2012, 9:03 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

While I would agree that a type of sentimentality perpetuates religion, I don't think it's the kind related to awe and wonder
by El Harvey Oswald
June 22nd, 2012, 6:36 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

No doubt it's preferable that there be true surprise, and that secrets not be known. Yet I doubt very much that there will be a meaningful comprehension and retention by readers of this book that translates to any marked loss of enjoyment by those attending magic performances. A detailed explanation...
by El Harvey Oswald
June 22nd, 2012, 2:39 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

"Ted M is onto something."

Agree; Ted M. set out his framework very elegantly and provocatively.

By contrast, an insipid "for secrets"/"against secrets" goes nowhere, and has even less nuance than this not-very-good book.
by El Harvey Oswald
June 22nd, 2012, 2:36 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI
Replies: 118
Views: 33261

Re: NY Times review of Alex Stone's FOOLING HOUDINI

" I must attempt to avail any person questioning me whom has seen YOU"


I'm going to venture a guess that this book isn't one of the top-1000 things burdening you as a performer.

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