I may not be the right person to talk about ethics when it comes to magic, but i have always been wondering what makes a good magician. Im sure all of us have came across magicians who just doesn't appeal to us.

Of course i might jolly well be one of those magicians you'd hate deep down. :D

Instead of asking what don't you like bout a magician, what is it that makes you find a magician pleasant about.

I have met quite a few who are extremely helpful and willing to share. I would say that I've learnt the most from magicians compared to the numerous dvds.

While others are not as approachable and some are just seeking praises when they aren't as good as they perceive themselves to be.

So, whats your point of view?

Magicians who are diligent and hardworking, putting in effort to do research and study in their quest for knowledge and self-improvement. Rather than those who expect to be 'spoonfed' all the time, leeching (there IS a difference between sharing and leeching, but that is another topic altogether) off others' hard work and efforts without putting in a good amount of effort on their own part to seek the answers they are looking for.

Sounds harsh? Perhaps so, but I've learnt the hard way that SLOTH is a bane for magicians, or rather any student of magic. Magic, just like any other discipline, requires dedication and long periods of practice and hard work.

Human tendency is to hold dear things that we have paid a price for; usually the greater the 'price' paid, the dearer it becomes. Things we obtain for free, we usually do not treasure them. Same goes for knowledge. Through the rigorous quest for answers, we actually internalize the knowledge obtained in the process, and it becomes part of us and in so being makes us better in one way or another.

Of course, this is just ONE aspect of what I FEEL makes a good magician, but definitely THE ONE aspect that has been overlooked and neglected by many of us (including myself), especially in this time and day where instant gratification seems to be the flavor of the day.

AdrianLee

Hmm... I am not so sure being "helpful" and "approachable" is part of the ethics of magicians. Whoever says that magicians MUST share and help? In fact, keeping secrets ARE we should be doing.

Yes, I might sound a bit contradictory. After all, I learned some of my stuff from other magicians as well. But I do recognise the fact that they are not obligated to teach... even if I am willing to pay.

If they don't mind sharing with me, it is a blessing. If not, I can understand that too.

IMO, Good Magicians are supposed to:

-master their moves and polish their presentation so as to give a good show for their specs.
-never reveal secrets (cheaply or for personal gains only), especially the works of others
-never put down other magicians

Everyone has different views when comes to sharing of tricks. Some might feel that if you want to know something you work it out yourselves (DVDs, etc). While some feel that even if I don't teach you you will find out eventually some way or another, might as well I just teach.

For myself, I don't usually teach, especially stuff that I came up with. I think all of us here should understand this. Unless they are simple commercial stuff then I might consider. However, I feel that magicians can help one another in other means such as giving genuine tips to help them on their presentation. Be kind enough to tell them if they didn't execute their sleights well. In short, comment about performance, but don't put down.

Magicians should constantly be improving themselves, not meaning that learn new tricks all the time, more of improving the stuff that you already know, presentation and all. The buring passion for magic must always be there. Without the passion you won't have the drive. Without the drive, how do you showcase good magic to entertain people?

As for ethics, never reveal tricks. I feel that maybe one or those of those really simple trick using key card etc, those are fine. Those trick most likely out of 10 non magicians, 5 or 6 of them already know. So is just like a bonus, something for people to take home after watching your performance. It helps in building relationship with people.

I think a good magician, is someone whom have a dedication and passion to magic. Polishing moves so that he will spread the joy and amazement to people, not revealing moves by doing them cheaply ( or without practice)



The word "good" is very vague, is it in his techniques? His ethics? His character?


In terms of ethics, a good magician ( as what i said before) does not reveal moves because of lack of practice. I sincerely do NOT believe that someone who practice a trick for a long time would want to tell someone how it is done. <_<

His character...i think a good magician must be able to *click* with other people in other words, be friendly . Otherwise, a magician would not be so astounding if he or she was wearing a glum face, drawling his words et cetera.

just my 5 singapore coin.

I think i'd start a topic on this before i do the wrong things ^_^

Im doing a thesis on magic for my studies. Hopefully it'd involve me more in Magic! :lol:

[QUOTE]

Fair enough, i think so too. I think i used the word ethics in the wrong context maybe. E

I think this line of thought is quite important to remember.

I think Ammar mentioned once in his easy to master coin miracles, that if you don't have anything good to say about one, don't say any.