Stealing and Conflict
It’s conflict season in magic again. People stealing ideas. People accusing. People stealing and not even knowing they are stealing. Wait, when is it not conflict season? We are dealing with secrets and politics and egos. Desirably a peaceful, likable group of fellows, we magi are prone to occasionally blow up at each other and make a stink out of a disagreement on who invented what and when.
So how do we deal with conflict issues on "stealing material"?
It’s pretty much a free for all out there with information so readily available. If you put something in print or video , someone will steal it. Someone with a different set of ethics will knock you off on purpose for profit or personal status points. …Or it may just happen that someone misremembers where they learned something or doesn’t mean to do you harm… it could be an honest mistake.
But no matter what the reason, and I’m sure you can think of a few more: it will happen. It happens to me every release. Someone steals from me. (Typically my material is straight up pirated, but for this post I am focusing on "borrowed without permission" sleights and tricks among members of the magic community.)
What can we do about it?
First, when someone treats you wrong. You approach them in private. The simple question, “Do you know that you offended me when you did…?” could go a long way. Sometimes, the perpetrator is completely unaware. If the private approach was taken first, we could dismiss a majority of the irrational and emotional social media posts that go wild and crazy, distracting us from our true passion as magicians. The solution could be achieved behind closed doors where it belongs.
But where would the “I’ve been offended, poor me! Please World, share your discontent with an angry comment against that guy” go?” …um, it would disappear. People wouldn’t be writing nasty things publicly. That’s the point. Our society would be civil and nicer.
Second, if the person does not respond to your one on one request, then you take it before a small group of people. That could be the beauty of magic societies. If they still exist with conviction and unity. Unfortunately, they have not connected with much of the younger generation.
So if, someone offends you, find a mutual friend or two and approach the offender in community. A close and a small group of friends, particularly mutual friends with the perp, could really make a change happen quick.
Finally, if those approaches don’t work, then it can escalate publicly. (With a lot more facts and a lot less gossip.) But until that point, I don’t need to know about it. And unless you are asking for me to be a part of the solution behind closed doors, don’t post that junk or email me with your opinions trying make a name for yourself off someone else’s stupidity.
If you do that, you might be just as guilty by trying to gain popularity off someone else’s back.
I hope we can always try the higher road less traveled first.
The only thing I will add to this, is if you do not know the person or the person is unknown to the magic community, proceed with caution and don’t say or record anything that they would misquote against you publicly! And when dealing with straight up piracy (not really the topic of this post) don’t be afraid to appeal to a higher authority (ex: Youtube) that may be hosting pirated content. I quickly digress into another conversation…
So, how do we prevent this conflict in the first place? Here is a brief list of things I try to practice:
- Stay connected to the greater community. Attend conventions, lectures, join a society. The more people know you, the less likely they would steal from you.
- Don't support people who are unethical and intentionally steal. You sometimes know by instinct.
- Be educated. Read. Know your sources or ask questions.
- Educate others so they don’t make mistakes. For example, I gave a lecture on piracy, a similar topic, you can watch it here.
- Ask permission before releasing and give credit! I asked Doug Brewer to release his "Famous Three Coin Trick" from the The Unexpected Visitor on the Traveler teaching video. He said, yes. You can get the original here.
- Only share secrets that you have been granted permission or are simple enough or old enough they would be considered public domain. Otherwise. Create something new.
- Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
And I might add: 8. Admit if you've made a mistake and seek forgiveness. I've had to do this before. We all make mistakes.
If we as a community tried things like this (instead of shortcuts to fame with public conflict), we may be able to resolve strife before it begins.
This blog is not a gossip channel. But if you have any ideas or want to share a quick story (please no names or identity details) about conflict resolution, the space below is all yours.
“In the crypto world, this is great news I want to share. Last year, I fell victim to a scam disguised as a safe investment option. I have invested in crypto trading platforms for about 10yrs thinking I was ensuring myself a retirement income, only to find that all my assets were either frozen, I believed my assets were secure — until I discovered that my BTC funds had been frozen and withdrawals were impossible. It was a devastating moment when I realized I had been scammed, and I thought my Bitcoin was gone forever, Everything changed when a close friend recommended the Capital Crypto Recover Service. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication enabled me to recover my lost Bitcoin funds back — more than €560.000 DEM to my BTC wallet. What once felt impossible became a reality thanks to their support. If you have lost Bitcoin through scams, hacking, failed withdrawals, or similar challenges, don’t lose hope. I strongly recommend Capital Crypto Recover Service to anyone seeking a reliable and effective solution for recovering any wallet assets. They have a proven track record of successful reputation in recovering lost password assets for their clients and can help you navigate the process of recovering your funds. Don’t let scammers get away with your hard-earned money – contact Email: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com
Phone CALL/Text Number: +1 (336) 390-6684 Contact: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com
Website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
THE WORLD BEST HACKER
If you find yourself in need of assistance with Bitcoin recovery, do not hesitate to reach out to Safe Guard Bitcoin Experts today. Their dedicated team is ready to help you reclaim your investments with professionalism and integrity.
Email: safeguardbitcoin@consultant.com
WhatsApp: +44 7426 168300
Website: https://safeguardbitcoin.wixsite.com/safeguard-bitcoin—1
Bitcoin Recovery Consultation
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to introduce you to Safe Guard Hacker, a reputable expert in the realms of Bitcoin security and social media protection. With a proven track record, they specialize in safeguarding digital assets and enhancing online privacy. If you’re looking to fortify your security measures or require assistance with any vulnerabilities, I highly recommend reaching out to them for a consultation.
Email: safeguardbitcoin@consultant.com
WhatsApp: +44 7426 168300
Website: https://safeguardbitcoin.wixsite.com/safeguard-bitcoin—1
I was recently scammed out of $53,000 by a fraudulent Bitcoin investment scheme, which added significant stress to my already difficult health issues, as I was also facing cancer surgery expenses. Desperate to recover my funds, I spent hours researching and consulting other victims, which led me to discover the excellent reputation of Capital Crypto Recover, I came across a Google post It was only after spending many hours researching and asking other victims for advice that I discovered Capital Crypto Recovery’s stellar reputation. I decided to contact them because of their successful recovery record and encouraging client testimonials. I had no idea that this would be the pivotal moment in my fight against cryptocurrency theft. Thanks to their expert team, I was able to recover my lost cryptocurrency back. The process was intricate, but Capital Crypto Recovery’s commitment to utilizing the latest technology ensured a successful outcome. I highly recommend their services to anyone who has fallen victim to cryptocurrency fraud. For assistance contact Recoverycapital@fastservice.com and on Telegram OR Call Number +1 (336)390-6684 via email: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com you can visit his website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
PROFESSIONAL CRYPTO RECOVERY EXPERT→THE HACK ANGELS
I want to use this Medium to say big thanks to THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT for helping me recover my stolen crypto worth $960,000 through their hacking skills. I tried it. I was skeptical but it worked and I got my money back. I lost access to my digital wallet and lost all my crypto assets. I was devastated and felt like the world was pulling down on me. I had no idea of how to get back access to my crypto assets and gave up trying to get it back. I was scrolling through the internet and saw a post about a Crypto recovery company that goes by the name THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT. I didn’t hesitate to contact them and provided them with all the information. Throughout the process, communication was essential, and frequent updates gave much-needed transparency and assurance. They have a track record of successful cryptocurrency recovery, the firm has assisted several clients in recovering their lost or stolen digital assets. I highly recommend their services if you ever need a professional and reliable crypto recovery team.
You can contact them through their hotline at (support@thehackangels.com) They also have a great website at (www.thehackangels.com)
WhatsApp +1(520)200-2320)
I promised to give back a review on their wonderful job well done
Leave a comment