"Methods" Vs. "Effect"

On one of my Forums, http://www.magicalproteachings.com I got into a discussion about "Methods" and "Effects" The thought was brought up that using a Stooge in magic is wrong and that its "Fake" Well I decided to make a post about my thoughts on the issue at hand.

You have to admit "Stooges" A.K.A. hidden Assistants have been in Magic for AGES! I mean some of the greatest Magic effects of all time Use a "stooge" And the whole idea of thinking that using a "stooge" is "not real" well Nothing in magic IS real... We use Things to make it LOOK like we can do the impossible. There are many different things that allow us to do that.

Like:
Misdirection
Slight of hand
Mathematics
Memorization
Gimmicks
Stooges
Video Editing
ect...

All those are just TOOLS we use to DO the impossible.

Remember its not about HOW the effect is done (remember to the spectator its the same no matter what method you use because they don't think in methods) All's that matters is WHAT is done.

Say I want to make a Card Vanish from the deck and appear in someones pocket on the other side of the room and that person has a Dup card in their pocket waiting for their time to shine. I ask a spectator to pick a card (force on the card) Then make it "vanish" from the deck and tell everyone to look in their pockets and low and behold someone on the other side of the room happens to have the card. Let me tell you... it FLOORS them! YES I HAVE done that very effect before. They NEVER thought that, that person was in on the trick, Why? because they DO NOT care how the effect is done... they know what happened and thats all they think about! What did they Think happened? They thought they picked a freely chosen card and I made it vanish and appear in someones pocket across the room. Thats what they Saw, and thats ALL THAT MATTERS! I still have people to this day tell me about that trick and how it just baffles them! And You bet I used a Stooge!

People have this idea that using a stooge is "bad" But why? I mean lets face it, The most POPULAR Magician in the world, Criss Angel (or most widely known) Even uses Stooges! Yes, people always call him "Fake" But I tell you, What Magician isn't fake? By using Slight of hand, Misdirection, and other Methods we Make people believe we can do the impossible. Saying you wont use a Stooge because its "Fake" is like saying "I wont use a Gimmick or any other thing that helps me do a magic because its fake"

All Magic is Presentation, skill, and misdirection. The Method should NEVER be the main focus of the trick... if so... well then your whole outlook on magic needs some adjustment...

It's getting more and more that people are focusing on the METHOD rather than the EFFECT. It's Time for Us Magicians to shift our Focus on what Truly matters. THE EFFECT! Once you change your outlook on what your performing... you will never believe how far you can go!