Other Visions

What is and What Shall Never Be….
By Iain Dunford

I spend a bit of time on forums these days: it's a good way of keeping in contact with friends from all over the world, and an instant way of sharing thoughts and ideas.

However, to be honest, there's an awful ot of horseshit floating around too.

As if you didn't know - don't you pretend to me like you don't look on them…own up!

Recent trends I've noticed is the old psychic vs. psychology arguments. Which, ultimately boil down to beliefs I suppose - and therefore, fall into the religion category for me, so therefore are impossible to realistically discuss with people who are fundamental in their belief.

And its even harder to put the fun in mental - though some seem hellbent on putting the fundament in it.

So what do you think in future years will happen? Will there be a shift or a splitting of mentalist - should it fork (bent or otherwise) into two diametrically opposed forces?

On the one side, we have the traditional psychic entertainer - and the other the psychological illusionist.

I'm not about to debate who “wins”, or who is infinitely superior. Personally (thanks for asking) I love both. I have a huge love for the “old school” mentalist - mr annemann in particular. And on the other side of my brain, I love derren brown and paul brook's way of presenting things too.

One wasn't against suggesting different forms of mind-power, or even taking a trip into Summerland. Whereas the other wants to influence your subconscious and meddle with your mind. So who do I have to side with?

Do I have to side with one and not the other? According to most forums - yes…

I find forums infinitely fascinating to be honest, a lot of people do one of two things; they absolutely drop all their masks, and are completely themselves - abhorant or thoroughly lovely or assume some kind of identity. Be it some over the top super-mentalist, or an arrogant armchair name-dropper…

Everyone has an arsehole, we shouldn't be ashamed of them, but we should consider the implications of choosing to talk through them; and you get a lot of that in magic/mentalist forums.

A proclamation of “a new paradigm shift in mentalist” with every ebook - “the new best thing since the last new best thing” - with every new variant of some old dusty principle. Sure, there's a fair few diamonds in the rough

When it comes to forums - you meet some top people in fact, I have - very open and friendly and honest, and happy to share…if you meet any, treat them well, as you would your friends from down the street.

There's also the dark side! *cue bolt of lightning* Where's your proof I hear you ask? Here it is…

People who love to bait and mass debate, as well as maste….well, im sure you know the next word (if not I can write it down on a piece of paper so we can “prove it” later on)

They really seem to get off on causing trouble and provoking reactions. Why is that I hear you ask - are they from weak sperm? Feeble of ego that need something to tell them that they're in fact - alive? And the only way they can get any form of attention is to be an absolute arse over things?

Maybe…maybe they have deep rooted psychological damage and we're all to blame?

I've witnessed many a simple discussion or book review turn into a running battle over an opinion that the work was of merit, from someone or other - who was blatantly provoking the rest.

Ok, I'll admit, sometimes that's amusing for the first couple of minutes…but ultimately…come on now…grow up will you?

I wonder what it would be like to meet some of these people in real life (whatever that is). I wonder if you were face to face with all these people who only exist electronically for the most part; they'd be completely different?

Maybe you're one of them? Are you reading this cleanching your claws at the screen saying “I'll get you iain! I'll make you pay!”, or maybe you're even softly stroking the screen, imagining its my marvellous goatee whispering “I love you iain, I'd make you a nice cup of tea if I met you…”

So, what's it like in the 21st century mentalist school that is online forums? Hmmm on the (w)hole…its what you make of it. Maybe its just like real life after all, sometimes shit, sometimes sugar…rough and smooth, long and short and various other kinds of decks…

What do you want out of it I wonder?

I'll leave you with this thought…

Imagine if you will, you were a scientist in the 18th century…maybe called Edward. You insist, and absolutely believe 100% that something called “atoms” exist. You tell your science friends you laugh in your beard and push you over in the toilets.

“Where's your proof then? Come on…”

You have none. You cry, upset and angry that you cannot prove a thing. Yet you believe its right. Something inside you tells you that it all feels right to you and makes sense.

You are soon penniless, loveless, and almost hate the very atoms that you believe in - but you cant help yourself. Despite lack of absolute proof - you still think that these things exist.

You are just a wild and crazy guy….

And another thing, people that are naturally good at things, singers for example - how does that work? I know a woman (a real life no inflating required one) who is absolutely lovely, and has a marvellous and natural singing voice…all her family are either tone deaf, or can't carry a tune even if it was gift-wrapped in stevie wonder's body hair…she doesn't know how she could sing, she just tried…and…out it came…if anyone genuinely knows how that works, please let me know…

It's a funny old world, and even funnier on forums - and before I go, I should explain something, I myself am not psychic, im an atheist, with occasional zen Buddhist leanings. I'm not about to leap around a cancer ward telling people that there's no use praying to God cos he doesn't exist…if it helps those people, what right do I have to take that away from them?

There but for the grace of god go…no…hang on…I don't belive in him…what do I say? Corinda? Berglas? Annemann?

Anyway, I know this has been a rambling piece of word assembly..what's new in that eh? But I suppose I'm saying to you, and this is just between you and I ok?

Why not be a little more forgiving, understanding and accepting of people's beliefs on forums and in reality too…as long as there's no malice in their intent - who actually has the right to tell anyone else how to live their life?

Where's your proof?

Iain Dunford