Yes, the questions are needed but the way it was said could have been done better. I get you are all older but looking down on everyone younger makes you look like idiots. Yes, we have less experience, but the world is ever changing, things are different. Very few teenagers are going to have actual shows and rely on street magic to build a reputation. I am very selective with my audience and generally they ask me to perform, not the other way around. I don't invade a person's space because of my ego. Also, where do you get the idea I had everything handed to me in life? "Everyone gets a ribbon", seriously? I never take credit where it isn't earned, I have failed classes because I refused to cheat like everyone else, heck, I nearly got suspended from school for refusing to cheat. Just because I believe that everyone deserves the same amount of respect when you snobs don't doesn't put me in the wrong. Obviously, Christopher, you haven't been around some teenage "alpha" males. He didn't have to come off as a show off, some people just want to be seen as know it all's. Like the kid in class who constantly corrects everyone for everything, he has a reason, it's to look the smartest, like what this guy was trying to do. There is no inclination that the performer was showing off. Some people just think they have to be the best at everything. Now, maybe you don't see that because you refuse to perform street magic because you'd have to get up close and personal and there's a bigger risk in getting caught. But those of use who do get what it's like. You can't avoid performing because someone's a spoil sport. You don't have to lock yourself in an environment where people have no choice but to sit in silence because you're afraid that someone is going to try and call you out on a trick. When you're on the street, you get called out, it happens. But this "hide on stage where people who interrupt will be asked to leave" attitude has spoiled you. I challenge both of you to walk around performing tricks for a month and see what happens. Most people will just think it's cool or entertaining but someone is going to try and ruin it for everyone because they want to impress people too. I don't want to argue but you guys are just being so short sighted about this. Try seeing things from someone else's perspective and remember that you weren't always a super great, experienced magician yourself. You messed up, you had someone call you on something, you got embarrassed. Stop criticizing everyone else for being skilled and brave enough to entertain people who can't afford to get all dressed up and go to a fancy show. I once performed for a poor family that lived next door to my brother, completely impromptu street magic, but the joy and wonder on their faces. The excitement and thrill. That's the reason I perform. Not for a paycheck, not to impress someone, and certainly not to impress people like you.
