Why Magic Is So Unique

And How We Should Treat It

The continual arguments and debates had around exposure in magic got me thinking two things:

1. We’re never going to come to a happy conclusion regarding this topic and..

2. Magic is so different from other artforms and hobbies, so how should we treat it?

The second point is what I want to explore today, because I’ve touched on the first point before, and I’m sure I’ll write about it more in the future, when the next big magician turns to exposure for views and gains.

Magicians guard an empty vault - Jim Steinmeyer

Magic Isn’t a Normal Job

Once upon a time when someone asked, “What tricks do you do when someone finds out you’re a magician”, there used to be an answer of “Nothing, I’m not at a gig or residency so why should I perform? You don’t ask a doctor to look at your rash when you find out he’s a doctor!”.

Feel free to insert your own job and anecdote above.

There’s an air of superiority and arrogance in that thought process, as if being a magician is the same or better than other occupations. Some feel like they should only perform when they are paid to or it diminishes themselves to even consider do a quick trick, akin to hearing “dance monkey dance!”.

But fortunately, I think we are seeing this mentality less and less these days. The rise of EDC has magicians thinking more intentionally about what potential performance opportunities they have day to day, and I think that’s a good thing.

For a full-time magician, your hours are not the same as the average person, you work nights, weekends and spend your days hustling for business. You’re an entrepreneur, building your own brand and business so every action you make is a reflection of who you are and could affect potential gigs.

Similarly if you perform part time. Anytime someone finds out I’m a magician, they usually light up and want to know more, a stark contrast when hearing that I work full time in IT.

The work we do as magicians is special, and different from a typical profession, so let’s keep it special.

Magic Isn’t Like Other Artforms

One of the arguments for the exposure or teaching of magic on YouTube is that new magicians would not be created if it wasn’t made available for people in the first place.

I believe this is a flawed argument, primarily on the exposure angle for many reasons, but I can see the case for teaching magic on Youtube and other platforms, provided it’s public domain material, your own or you have permission from the creator.

Young people don’t go to the library anymore, so the argument to go to the library just isn’t relevant. Sure, some might go to the library but more often than not, if we want to know something, we’re going online to find it first. When I first started getting into Leatherwork, I did so through YouTube, watching lots of tutorial videos on how to cut, glue and stitch pieces of leather together to create a wallet, bag or whatever. The money I spent was on all the leather and tools needed to make what I wanted, and in some cases for the patterns from various creators to make their creations.

Magic is similar yet different.

With leathercraft, I can learn most of the techniques on YouTube or by asking around online, and then from there work out how to make whatever my mind creates. When it comes to magic, what is taught online for free is usually very limited to basic sleights, routines and the occasional DIY. If you want the real secrets and harder hitting magic, you’ll only find that on the magic marketplace.

The secret is what makes magic different from everything else.

Magic Is in the Secret

Without the secret, is there still magic?

Without the secret, would laymen still be entertained?

Without the secret, would anyone still care?

You might argue yes, but I would say it’s a losing argument and most people’s interest will drop after knowing how a trick is done. They won’t be sickos like us who appreciate the art and can still watch a routine knowing exactly how it’s done.

With every other artform in the world you can find out how something is done with some research.

• Want to know how to paint a realist portrait, you can find out and learn that.

• How do they make Superman fly in the movies? A green screen will set you up to do the same effect!

• Do you want to improve your singing? There are many resources to help get you onto the Voice!

When you scroll on the socials and come across a magic video, if you check the comments, there will always be smug, attention seeking, basement dwelling persons commenting how the trick is done. Whether they’re right or not that doesn’t matter, it just proves a point about magic. Other videos won’t see those types of comments..

“Oh look, he’s throwing the balls up and just catching them at the right time while throwing the next ball so it doesn’t fumble…too easy”

“They just mixed a bunch of colours together and somehow got the right one to match the car, what a fluke”

“He’s not actually a wizard, they have this thing called CGI that makes it look like he can do magic”

Although you get other toxic comments instead, but my point remains that the biggest appeal of magic is seeing something amazing and not knowing how it’s done. People don’t go to see a magic show or book a magician expecting a magic lesson, they want their minds to melt away as all logic and reasoning is thrown away as you show them what magic is capable of.

Magic is unique, and we should treat it as such by putting the time and effort into presenting it as best as possible. Respect the art by keeping the secrets and supporting creators and magicians who want to further the art and not expose it for likes.

We may guard an empty vault, but laymen don’t know that!