A recent Salon.com article titled "The Internet makes magic disappear," also comes with the subhead, "YouTube has killed the magician's art, and threatens the stores where tricks have been passed down for generations."

The article provides interesting reading, but only discusses the demise of brick and mortar magic stores (a definite trend). While the title and subhead indicate that there will be a discussion of how the internet is hurting magic, the story never really supports this premise.

So is the Internet hurting magic stores as well as magic? Or only magic stores? In the same vein, one could say that the internet is killing brick and mortar book stores, but I don't think there are many who would claim that the internet is killing reading. Same with music stores and listening to music. Personally, I don't think that the internet is "making magic disappear." (You can read my past editorial on this topic here).

"Today, any 10-year-old kid can type "magic tricks" into Google and gain access either via YouTube or other websites to the biggest trade secrets in a matter of minutes," says the story. "He can watch a video or buy an expensive apparatus without leaving his house, seeing a live demonstration or talking to another human being...As a result, magic stores are slowly vanishing across America."

You can read the entire article here.

More Reading
YouTube Magic Exposure? No Problem
Readers Respond to YouTube Magic Exposure is No Problem

It's rare to come across a instructional magic book that teaches great effects and is also entertaining to read.This is the case with "More Power to You: The Very Best of David Acer."

In this book, Acer's magic brilliance and comic instincts are on full display. This is one of the best magic books that I've read in some time.

You can read my review here.

More Reading
One Degree by John Guastaferro
DVD Review: Open Traveller by David Acer
Review: Gotcha! 18 Amazing Ways to Freak Out Your Friends by David Acer

As magicians, we should constantly think outside the box. No idea should be impossible because, after all, the impossible is what we create. This is why I was fascinated by a signature effect by Ottawa-based magician Chris Pilsworth, who was recently profiled in a news story.

What he does is cause a cactus to penetrate into an inflated balloon - a very cool idea.

..."magic is merely the medium to communicate universal thoughts and ideas, or to make them laugh ..." says Pilsworth in the story. "So now when he puts a cactus inside a balloon," says the article, "he tells a story of cooperation, of how the balloon can shelter the cactus from the rain and storms it fears, and how the cactus, in return, can protect the balloon from the vagaries of the winds."

You can read the entire story here.

More Reading
Interview With Arthur Trace: The Creative Process
Book Review: Ken Weber's Maximum Entertainment

My favorite magic instructional DVDs and books are those that present and teach an accomplished magicians professional and regular repertoire. And I find that this is mostly the case with "Archer's Essential Magic Classics," which offers 11 effects by Danny Archer that are practical for strolling and walk around situations.

I like what I discovered on this two DVD set, and there's one effect that I've been performing regularly for the past couple of weeks. I think it's a winner.

You can read my review here.

More Reading
Review of Minotaur The Final Issue
DVD Review - Dan Tong: FINALLY! - 50 Years Of Magic Vol. 2