Tonight, I learned that I seriously not only don't appreciate opinions from other magicians, but I outright hate it. Don't get me wrong, my close friends (heh, the two people who actually read this plus one more) have opinions I value and consider strongly.
But tonight I went to a magic club meeting. While this is a step forward for me in and of itself, I was downright pissed off by how close-minded some of the older members of the club were. One man (whose act routinely looks as though it would be better if all of his mistakes were intentional) got up and left during a lecture on creativity and progression of thought.
The man who left considers himself to be a "professional," and has before told the same audience he vacated that he was available to "help with your act" if you wished. This man's act could've used the material he intentionally and rudely skipped out on. For this reason and abashedly hypocritical, narrow-minded viewpoint on the craft he claims to love, I no longer value the opinion of someone who I do not explicitly ask. That's not to say I will stop asking people's opinions.
Why? Doesn't this sound like I'm becoming the guy I just complained about? No. Look at the details a bit closer.
The man paid money to go hear someone's thoughts and opinions and creations, then because he felt belittled by someone better than him that he had to leave. It was not a quiet, polite exit, either. Rather, a rude "storming out of the room" of sorts.
If I go to a lecture, I want the input. I want the opinions, I want other people's views. You don't go to a Democratic rally and get upset because there's no Republicans speaking. This is the same thing. Exactly the same.
Magic shouldn't be political. It should be a group of professionals, hobbyists, and the like -- all working to improve the craft. Hard-headed and stubborn ego-maniacs need not apply -- just get the fuck out and stay out.
