Search found 2026 matches

by Joe Mckay
March 7th, 2021, 2:25 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

One mantra I have is this: There is no such thing as a bad idea - only better ideas. If an idea makes me uncomfortable - then I will only get rid of it, if I have a better one to replace it with. If I cannot do that - then it means I am censoring myself at the expense of the ideas. Replacing one ide...
by Joe Mckay
March 6th, 2021, 2:54 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

You are right - I have ended up back where Derren started! lol

Here is an idea from Penn Jillette that I have found very helpful as well:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/blog/stage-invasion
by Joe Mckay
March 5th, 2021, 2:16 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Mr. Jennings Takes It Easy
Replies: 20
Views: 5711

Re: Mr. Jennings Takes It Easy

I agree completely. Richard is a brilliant writer - and not just of magic instructions. I always love it when he writes about magic from a more personal angle.
by Joe Mckay
March 5th, 2021, 12:23 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

That was the first novel I ever read. I never read books as a kid - and then I picked that one up as a teen. Since it seemed "important". I actually liked it because it feels closer to non-fiction than fiction. I only ever read non-fiction these days. I guess the book can be summed up with...
by Joe Mckay
March 5th, 2021, 10:47 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

That is a great story! The infinity concept is useful for me since I feel the value in art lies in suprising and creative ideas. I feel the job of an artist is to discover interesting new ideas. I know other people feel art is about communicating with the audience. That is fine. But my vision for ar...
by Joe Mckay
March 5th, 2021, 6:29 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

I think the concept of infinity lies at the root of all art. Every conceptual space - has an infinite number of possibilities. Whether it be art made out of matchsticks, sandcastles, card tricks or pop music. And infinity has the strange property that there simply has to be at least one interesting ...
by Joe Mckay
March 4th, 2021, 11:11 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

Here is an excellent conversation with Brian Eno. The focus of the conversation is Brian Eno explaining what he feels art is. He says he has spent 50 years thinking about the question, and that very little has really been written on the topic. His answer is 5 overlapping concepts. What I found inter...
by Joe Mckay
March 3rd, 2021, 9:59 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

It's an interesting effect but it's well documented how long it took to make it work and how getting that one single performance ultimately required breeding and killing 30-40 moths. Admittedly they are quite low down on the cuddly animal that needs protecting scale but someone is going to find tha...
by Joe Mckay
March 3rd, 2021, 9:58 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

I have always been fascinated by those coin pushers you get in amusement arcades and fairgrounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST-FnoD1QfE It is like an economic form of pepetual motion - the way it generates regular profit. The sides of the machines actually have gaps where some of the coins get...
by Joe Mckay
March 2nd, 2021, 6:51 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

Here is the master himself, Ricky Jay, doing a trick with a moth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7gNuwl7E8
by Joe Mckay
March 1st, 2021, 10:46 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

Quick question - I had an idea (inspired by reading the book) for a Rube Goldberg machine. At the end - a butterfly would be released into the world. This plays into the idea of chaos theory and the butterfly effect. If you think about it - the butterfly effect is like a giant Rube Goldberg machine ...
by Joe Mckay
March 1st, 2021, 10:40 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

I really enjoyed the Suzanne K. Langer book. Thanks again Brad! I read the book in a couple of days and took notes along the way. A couple of days later - I read over the notes. And a couple of days later - I feel I have digested the ideas enough to offer my thoughts. The main things I took away fro...
by Joe Mckay
February 28th, 2021, 1:11 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Yikes - good catch. I am an idiot. I did a quick google search to refresh my memory when I was writing. And the top result on google (a Grantland article) mislead me.

I am a doofus!

Joe

PS Eric is going to try and pop in and say Hi. He is having trouble setting up an account though.
by Joe Mckay
February 27th, 2021, 8:58 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Here is my profile of The Great Zucchini:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/blog/the-great-zucchini
by Joe Mckay
February 25th, 2021, 2:06 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Re: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

Thanks for the Langer recommendation. I had that book years ago - but never read it. I am going to read it now, since there is nothing better than reading a philosophy book when it directly addresses a question you are struggling with. Cheers! As for the what Derren had in mind? I cannot say. I don'...
by Joe Mckay
February 25th, 2021, 1:34 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Opinions on Derren Brown quote?
Replies: 85
Views: 11043

Opinions on Derren Brown quote?

There is a quote in Absolute Magic where Derren Brown says that "...art should reveal ideas and not revel in them." I am guessing what he means is that the best art is a perform fit of the medium and the message. Whereas when you start discussing ideas during a show - you relegate the art ...
by Joe Mckay
February 16th, 2021, 10:19 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Mark Lewis put me in touch with The Great Zucchini on Facebook. I spent just under 3 hours chatting to him last night. And I have just turned that conversation into a ten page article. I will publish it here or on the Vanishing Inc Magic blog (where I sometimes publish stuff). Unless Richard wants i...
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 5:42 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Hey Bill, I just looked up Gene Weingarten on wikipedia. I saw that his first Pulitzer prize was for one of the best magazine stories I ever read. The one about the world-famous violinst (Joshua Bell) plays a Stradivarius in a subway station for passengers on their way to work. I often think back to...
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 3:29 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx
Replies: 13
Views: 2599

Re: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx

I am a moron. So I don't blame you!
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 1:37 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Fascinating!

Bob Hummer had that sort of vibe - but as a creator of magic.
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 12:47 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx
Replies: 13
Views: 2599

Re: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx

One day you will be astonished.

And then I will come over and introduce myself to you.
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 12:35 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx
Replies: 13
Views: 2599

Re: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx

I have just finished wriing a magic show that is the greatest piece of art ever created.
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 11:31 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

You guys are the best. Thanks so much!

I am going to research this writer as well. Cheers Bill!
by Joe Mckay
February 12th, 2021, 10:16 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Name of kid's show entertainer?
Replies: 13
Views: 2054

Name of kid's show entertainer?

I remember reading about a kid's show entertainer based in New York or Washington. He would just turn up and entertain kids. No props or costumes. It was almost like he would just turn up with a hangover - and entertain kids. In wahtever clothes had on that day. But because he had an amazing ability...
by Joe Mckay
February 11th, 2021, 5:24 am
Forum: General
Topic: The Magic University Journal
Replies: 59
Views: 16718

Re: The Magic University Journal

The quote from William Goldman refers to a successful Hollywood film. No one knows for sure what the ingredients are, and they screw up all the time even with the best intentions. But it has many ingredients, few if any of which are related to magic. If memory serves the full statement/quote includ...
by Joe Mckay
February 10th, 2021, 2:06 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx
Replies: 13
Views: 2599

Here Be Bunnies - The Jerx

The new book from Andy just arrived over here in the UK. Wonderful stuff. I am not a fan of The Beatles, but I remember an old guy telling me once that when The Beatles put a new record out - everybody rushed out to get it. Each record marked a moment where the entire direction of pop music was abou...
by Joe Mckay
January 14th, 2021, 7:57 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Sad news - Siegfried has passed away
Replies: 5
Views: 1341

Re: Sad news - Siegfried has passed away

This is so sad... about nine months since Roy Horn died.

So tragic.

RIP
by Joe Mckay
January 13th, 2021, 10:14 am
Forum: General
Topic: Interview with David Regal
Replies: 12
Views: 3931

Interview with David Regal

Here is a new interview with David Regal.

He is one of the most creative people in the history of magic.

It is always a joy listening to him talk about magic - there is nobody I enjoy listening to more than David.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEJHou3MTEQ
by Joe Mckay
January 12th, 2021, 1:15 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Equivoque force: psychology paper
Replies: 29
Views: 9864

Re: Equivoque force: psychology paper

The Jerx had some interesting thoughts that are related to this area.

https://www.thejerx.com/blog/2018/7/1/the-tit
by Joe Mckay
January 6th, 2021, 6:22 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: LF: Linking Ring Magazine on CD-Rom
Replies: 3
Views: 648

Re: LF: Linking Ring Magazine on CD-Rom

If you join Ask Alexander - you will get access to this online.
by Joe Mckay
January 1st, 2021, 3:29 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: 2020 In Review? Really? (Yes.)
Replies: 10
Views: 2339

Re: 2020 In Review? Really? (Yes.)

Amazing job as always.

Great work Dustin!
by Joe Mckay
December 27th, 2020, 5:10 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Dai Vernon’s “Mental Die”
Replies: 36
Views: 9629

Re: Dai Vernon’s “Mental Die”

Hey Bob,

Teller gives you a shout-out here!

https://discourseinmagic.com/a-life-of-magic-with-teller/

Check out the 1hr 25mins 20secs mark.

It is a great interview.
by Joe Mckay
December 24th, 2020, 6:15 am
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: In Memoriam: Matthew Field
Replies: 2
Views: 5516

Re: In Memoriam: Matthew Field

Matthew was a great guy.

His name was the first thing I would come across at the start of so many of my favourite magic books.

He was an important voice behind the scenes throughout the remarkable run of books that Richard Kaufman has created.
by Joe Mckay
December 23rd, 2020, 8:12 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Comedy & Magic - book/DVD recommendations?
Replies: 15
Views: 2577

Re: Comedy & Magic - book/DVD recommendations?

Yes - I am. But in quite an unusual way.

Think The Amazing Johnathan meets Arthur Schopenhauer.

I think life is so meaningless that it is hilarious.

So - my worldview is rooted in that.
by Joe Mckay
December 14th, 2020, 2:49 am
Forum: General
Topic: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)
Replies: 8
Views: 2875

Re: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)

Thanks Quentin!
by Joe Mckay
December 13th, 2020, 10:28 pm
Forum: Book of The Month Club
Topic: Book of the Month: Annemann's Practical Mental Effects (with Comments by Max Maven)
Replies: 42
Views: 73224

Re: Book of the Month: Annemann's Practical Mental Effects (with Comments by Max Maven)

Sorry for digging up an old thread! There was a discussion about the classics of mentalism (Corinda and Practical Mental Magic) on Facebook. And I just wanted to share what I wrote here as well, since I think there is a lot of confusion around exactly how magicians should "tackle" these tw...
by Joe Mckay
December 13th, 2020, 3:35 am
Forum: General
Topic: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)
Replies: 8
Views: 2875

Re: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)

I am a big fan of her work. Strangley - I don't recognise this trick from her books. So that is odd.

Thanks for pointing this one out to me!
by Joe Mckay
December 12th, 2020, 5:05 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Comedy & Magic - book/DVD recommendations?
Replies: 15
Views: 2577

Re: Comedy & Magic - book/DVD recommendations?

Thanks for the suggestion - I will add it to my list. Cheers!
by Joe Mckay
December 12th, 2020, 5:04 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)
Replies: 8
Views: 2875

Re: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)

Those are all new to me. Thanks a lot!
by Joe Mckay
December 12th, 2020, 2:48 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)
Replies: 8
Views: 2875

Looking for "korn" (aka comedy magic bits)

My vision for my close-up magic is really coming together well. I won't go into all the details just yet - but part of the structure will involve having something to "bounce" off. And some of that will consist of magic "gags". I am talking about the stuff that Karrell Fox and Bil...

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