i can’t think of two worse magicians. they should start a magic act – douchebag and shitstain.

Lucas wrote:
Also, you're not realizing that I don't personally know Tony. In fact, this blog is the only exposure (along with his YouTube videos) that I've ever had of the guy. I'm not defending him because we're friends, but rather because he's right.
—————————-
My response:
He's right? So you feel insulting people and calling them "stupid" will help them?
—————————-

Lucas wrote:
Personally, I would take his comments well and accept them as criticism.
—————————-
My response:
So you would take the following comments well if he was talking about you?

"Does this kid really think he fools anyone? Why does he publish this onto You-tube? Why does he even film it? This stupidity is what ruins magic as an art. Knowing the method does not mean you have mastery over it. The only reason I think the performance is bareable is because I really do think this person has serious arthritis, the mental toughness of a 3rd grader"
—————————–

In closing:
Lucas the reason you don't wish to answer the question is because there is only one correct answer to the question below.

How do you think these people would feel upon finding out their video is being used on this site as an example of what not to do?

Answer: They would be hurt.

You can't answer the question because you would be admitting I am right. If you were to lie and say they wouldn't be hurt it would make you look like an uncompassionate person. I see your dilemma.

Also, you're not realizing that I don't personally know Tony. In fact, this blog is the only exposure (along with his YouTube videos) that I've ever had of the guy. I'm not defending him because we're friends, but rather because he's right.

Exo also addresses a very important point below me when he quotes Vernon and explains some of his actions. I think you should read it, because I believe that Vernon probably knows better about magic and how it should be taught then your speech-writer you quote.

So again, in case you only read the beginning and endings of my comments, which seems to be what's hapenning here:

Personally, I would take his comments well and accept them as criticism. I would appreciate Tony's criticism, but I can only answer your question for myself. Some people may not be able to accept other people's views and criticism; it's a talent that some people just have to learn to acquire i guess.

The question you have answered is:
"Would you allow Tony to post your videos and critique them?"

I am asking you how you think these people will feel? Your answer should be along the lines of "Happy", "Sad", "Angry", "Thankfull" …ect. So please re-read the question and answer the question. Stop avoiding it. I could ask a child this question and they could answer it. Why can't you?

=====================

Here is an example of the comments your friend Tony makes on these videos.

"Does this kid really think he fools anyone? Why does he publish this onto You-tube? Why does he even film it? This stupidity is what ruins magic as an art. Knowing the method does not mean you have mastery over it. The only reason I think the performance is bareable is because I really do think this person has serious arthritis, the mental toughness of a 3rd grader"

Lucas,
So according to you you would be ok with your friend Tony making comments like this about you? You wouldn't be hurt? Seriously? Some friend you got there.

I'm not angry Jonathan, if that's how you take my posts, you're sadly mistaken. What I'm trying to do is get you to actually reply to what i say, because time after time, I have broken your argument and shown you that it doesn't hold up, and yet you keep trying to build upon what is already a broken foundation.

Once again, if you had read my posts, you would find that I have answered your question:

"Personally, if Tony decides to use one of my videos as an example, I give him free rein. Why? Because I, unlike some other people obviously, have learned to take criticism. Sure, I'll argue my point, but when it comes down to it, I'll take the criticism and learn from it. If you cant learn from others, you can't learn at all. Obviously Jonathan, with all your years of experience, you still havn't learned to accept others' opinions or critique. That's ok, it'll come."

Do with it what you will, I've already answered your question. Now how about you actually respond to something I've actually said for once? It helps in a debate to do so.

All I see is anger in every post you make you are not trying to understand anything.

Let me ask you a simple question.

How do you think these people would feel upon finding out their video is being used on this site as an example of what not to do?

Please just answer the question.

I already know how Vinny Marini felt and I showed him how to turn off the ability to embed his video on this blog so it no longer is available for the people here to criticize. I think the others would feel the same way. What do you think?

Please answer the question.

"Tony isn't going to these people and telling them they're wrong. He isn't going and giving THEM any unwanted critique. He's using them as an example. That statement within itself completely destroys any validity the argument the site you linked to held."

TADA! Your whole argument is based flawed view of what Tony is doing; like i said, a straw man argument. Maybe you dont know what that is though, so I'll google it for you:

"A straw man argument is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "set up a straw man," one describes a position that superficially resembles an opponent's actual view, yet is easier to refute. Then, one attributes that position to the opponent. For example, someone might deliberately overstate the opponent's position. While a straw man argument may work as a rhetorical technique—and succeed in persuading people—it carries little or no real evidential weight, since the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted."

There you go, from the first hit; Wikipedia. See that last sentence there? "While a straw man argument may work as a rhetorical technique—and succeed in persuading people—it carries little or no real evidential weight, since the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted"

Your argument holds no weight what so ever. What do you not understand about that? I mean, I can't simplify it much more.

P.S. I read your article before my last response Jonathan, and like I said, it's written by a speech-writer; someone who knows nothing of which he speaks. Bring me a valid source, and base it off of what Tony's really doing, not this straw man argument you're creating and then you might hold some weight here.

He also mentions "When we criticize another, we do not expose them, we expose ourselves. We broadcast our own weakness and smallness." If you are a strong happy confident person you do not criticize others. There is no reason to. People who criticize others are unconfident, insecure people. In order to feel good themselves they belittle others. Ask any psychologist or therapist and they will tell you its true.

He also explains: Does this mean all criticism is bad? Not at all. But it should be used in two cases only. First, parents, teachers, supervisors, and others in authority have the obligation to correct the faults of those they are responsible for. Second, we can offer our advice to friends and others who ASK for it. But don’t offer it unless they request it.

I repeat when they ASK!

Tony is criticizing these videos without their permission, without them ASKING. He claims it is to help these people but he isn't even telling them he is doing it. So how are they to be helped as he suggests by the criticism if he is not telling them. What he in fact is doing is pointing out faults of others just to help him with his own insecurities. There are no other reasons for it. We criticize others to feel better about ourselves end of story. Unsolicited criticism of others only hurts it never helps.

The gentleman in the article explains it best here:

Here’s what Charles M. Schwab (1862 ~ 1939) had to say on the subject, "In my wide association in life, meeting with many and great men in various parts of the world, I have yet to find the man, however great or exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than he would ever do under a spirit of criticism."

Tony isn't going to these people and telling them they're wrong. He isn't going and giving THEM any unwanted critique. He's using them as an example. That statement within itself completely destroys any validity the argument the site you linked to held. Not to mention the fact that the site is written by a speech writer; someone who actually knows nothing of the subject he's talking about here.

Again, you're setting up a straw man argument which doesn't actually carry any weight what so ever.

So how about before you read this, re-read everything that's been said and actually take the time to think about it, because judging by all of your responses, you're not actually reading or listening to anything that's been said.