The Genii Forum

This is a terrific feature of the forum. I love reading the reviews, and thanks to Tom for 150, and to Richard for the bandwidth!

Pix

Where are these 150 reviews posted?

PickaCard wrote:Where are these 150 reviews posted?

http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... t&Board=27

Hi folks,

I posted my first product review on the forum on 9/5/08. Five and a half years later, my review of Spelling Deck marks my 200th review. Whew! That’s a lot of obsessively detailed writing, and a milestone worthy of celebration!

Of the 200 products that I’ve reviewed, I’ve recommended 127 of them, and urged you to avoid 73 of them. Given that the majority of magic products released are crap, an explanation of my disproportionately high number of positive reviews is in order.

Here is my dirty little secret. I trawl, not troll, the Magic Café. Yes, most of the content on the Café is uniformed, vacuous nonsense, but if you want to be alerted to the latest releases, it’s the first place to look.

Seventy-five percent of the products that I’ve reviewed have been sent to me because I contacted the creators and offered to review their product. I only offer to review products that, based upon their promo and my 41 years in magic, I think I’ll like. So, the scope of my sampling is artificially, positively limited. I ignore the chaff and seek the meaty wheat. Now you know.

The remaining twenty-five percent of the products have been spontaneously sent to me by people who think my opinion is worth a damn. Bless their hearts.

Thank you for reading my reviews. Your private and public approbation of my humble efforts means the world to me.


Wet hugs,

Tom

Hey Tom, I hope you're NOT signing off!

I look forward to the next 200 reviews!

Thanks Richard and Joe.

No, I'm not signing off. However, my reviews won't be appearing as frequently as they have in the past. Due to working full-time as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor; continuously evaluating and writing reviews of products; and spending whatever quality time possible with my wife; I've had precious little time to finish writing Framework, a collection of 34 of my best effects. The reviews must take a back seat for now. I have to get this book out of my system.

Writing obsessively detailed product reviews takes considerable time and doesn’t leave me with much cognitive bandwidth or energy to focus on my own creative pursuits. It’s become a chore and it’s just not much fun anymore. So, after 6 years and 215 reviews, I am resigning from my role as product reviewer.

Thank you, Richard, for giving me this opportunity. Big thanks and wet hugs to all of you for taking the time to read my humble offerings.


Tom

Glad I was able to have my book reviewed while you were still able to do them. Doesn't sound like Framework is any nearer to completion. Can you describe the book. Cards? Coins? Or everything in between?

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your interest in Framework. I've finished writing the book and all of the photographs are done. I've placed my order for 15,000 gaffs for one of my effects.

I'm currently waiting to get the manuscript back from one of my proofreaders. Once I receive it, I'll give it one final tweak and then send it and the photographs off to the printer.

The book will contain 34 of my favorite card effects and will be published by H&R.


Tom

Richard Kaufman wrote:Brent, you're a magic dealer and thus immediately disqualified from reviewing products here because of potential conflicts of interest. No personal slight intended, but it even the appearance of a conflict isn't good.

Wait, didn't we cover this in another thread? It's all about trust! ;O)

Thanks for all the reviews Tom. I've always enjoyed them.

You're welcome, Chris. Thanks for your kind words.

Bummer! We need a replacement!
Talk among yourselves and send me some suggestions.
Thanks, Tom.

You did a great job, Tom.

I winced at a couple of your reviews imagining how many hours it must have taken you to review every single effect in the book.

Phenomenal job!

I have some lecture notes by you, and they are great. Good luck with the book!

Well done, Tom, and thank you.

I was the video reviewer for Genii for 5 years abnd I reviewed every category for The Magic Circular for 7 years. It is very draining. I no longer write reviews, except very occasionally.

As Richard says, it's a matter of trust. Do readers trust your knowledge, experience and ibntegrity? I trusted yours.

Best of luck in your pursuits, and thanks again.

Matt Field

Thank you, Tom--a job very, very well done!

With regard to the Review Forum, I will paraphrase Tom himself : -

I liked it.

A.

Although I have heard about the review forum, it has never been very intuitive for me to find it. I am not sure I have ever read any of the reviews and if I did, I may have assumed it was marketing as opposed to official Genii review.

Maybe each review should start off in the title with something like "Genii Online Review: X"

Then again, that may be just me...

Thanks Richard, Joe, Matt, Erdnasephile and AJM!

PickaCard--look at Today's Active Topics. You will always find the most recent stuff there.

Richard Kaufman wrote:Bummer! We need a replacement!
Talk among yourselves and send me some suggestions.
Thanks, Tom.

I nominate Miller!

JHostler wrote: I nominate Miller!

Charlie, Jack or Mitch?

Fredrick wrote:

JHostler wrote: I nominate Miller!

Charlie, Jack or Mitch?

There is but one Anthony.

Thanks for all the reviews Tom. Saved me a bunch of money on more junk...

Tom

You're welcome, Tom. I'm happy to hear that my reviews were helpful.

I want to express my gratitude for all of Tom's work as well... Being an online reviewer may not be as sexy as being the reviewer in the magazine, but the reviews live a lot longer (and never see the bottom of a dove cage)...

Thanks, Tom and best wishes!

Thanks for your positive feedback, Andrew.

Agree with all of the above. Tom, have appreciated the reviews over the years. Best of luck on your upcoming projects.

Thank you, Scott.

Even though I am a rookie in magic, I am interested in writing reviews. Are there any prerequisites or an application process?

I think being a reviewer must be a wonderful way of making enemies. That must be the most difficult aspect of the job I imagine.

performer wrote:I think being a reviewer must be a wonderful way of making enemies. That must be the most difficult aspect of the job I imagine.

I think that it can be true that you make some enemies along the way. But I think that it heavily depends on the writing style

Mr Hurley wrote:

performer wrote:I think being a reviewer must be a wonderful way of making enemies. That must be the most difficult aspect of the job I imagine.

I think that it can be true that you make some enemies along the way. But I think that it heavily depends on the writing style

I think it also heavily depends on who's reading the review.

Prerequisites are a long study of magic over many years and intimate knowledge of books, DVDs, and/or tricks.

I will then withdraw my request

Mr Hurley wrote:I will then withdraw my request

Very wise. Plenty of time to make enemies later on. If you need any help in the matter let me know as I am truly an expert on the subject.

I would never do reviews though. You don't just make new enemies. I have heard from other reviewers that even your friends become enemies. You are caught in a dilemna. If you don't like their product you are in a catch 22 situation. If you say you like it when you don't really then you are not being truthful and if you say you don't like it then your friend may not be your friend anymore. Some magicians have more sensitive egos than others. They may not take the view that you are reviewing the product rather than the person.

Not an easy thing to strike a balance I would have thought.

Over twenty years ago I was asked to review a book. I didn't particularly like it and strived to write positively hoping readers would read between the lines. A few months later at a convention, a magician angrily gave out to me for having bought a load of rubbish based on my review.

Mac King ceased reviewing for MAGIC magazine after Karrell Fox's reaction to his review of his book ' Much Ado About Something.' The reviews were accurate and it is the weakest of all of Karrell's books.

I published the Karrell Fox book. It was terrible and deserved a bad review. Nothing Mac King should have been ashamed of.

Richard Kaufman wrote:I published the Karrell Fox book. It was terrible and deserved a bad review. Nothing Mac King should have been ashamed of.

I agree Richard. My point was that it affected his friendship with Karrell, reiterating the point made in a previous post in this thread.

While it is the weakest of Karrell's books,it shouldn't be overlooked as Karrell was one of the most commercially successful professional GPs (General Practitioners) of magic. Karrell's name on a bill ensured a successful convention.