Sometimes I think I complain too much, but then I think I don’t! This is a general comment in regards to a topic I covered extensively in my new Guidebook 5.
I grew up in one of the most exciting times in mentalism. I have known men that were incredible thinkers in the art. They unselfishly published their ideas and these are still readily available to anyone who wants to research them. In addition, there are plenty of people around who are older and well-read who are more than willing to offer their knowledge if asked.
I mention this because of so much material being offered today that is nothing more than a rehash of already published ideas. If this is done knowing of the original, it is just plain wrong. If it is done in ignorance, then it is arrogant. Too many newcomers get an idea in their head and think it must be new. They do not attempt to research it or ask around to those wiser than themselves. I call it arrogant because they assume that no one before them was smart enough to think of it!
I recently started a thread on a forum where I offered to discuss what I would consider to be standard and classic effects in mentalism. I was amazed at how few were even aware these effects existed! And when I offered to explain any they were interested in (this was a closed forum to the public) I got almost no responses! So is it any wonder that so much of the past is lost and, worse yet, no one seems to want to know?
Like so many things in life, history is paramount. To assume that, because we live in a world of technological wonders, we are somehow smarter than earlier generations is a revolting concept. Instead of honoring past knowledge, many disdain and laugh at it. Then, when they offer up some “new” idea that is a watered-down imitation of something worthwhile that has been explored by great minds of the past, they think they have done something amazing. I am not just talking mentalism here!
The first knowledge one attains should always be history. Twice, I have offered a paraphrase from the movie Jurassic Park in my books For anyone who missed it, here it is again.
I’ll tell you what the problem with the magical power you’re using here.
It didn’t require any discipline to attain it.
You read what others had done and you took the next step.
You didn’t earn the knowledge for yourselves
so you didn’t take any responsibility for it.
You stood on the shoulders of geniuses
to accomplish something as fast as you could
and before you even knew what you had
you patented it and packaged it
and slapped it on the Internet
and now you’re selling it.
paraphrase
Jeff Goldblum
Jurrasic Park
Richard