Monday, April 30, 2007

The DoubleLift

In briefly looking through some online forums full of brilliant minds the number of topics about the double lift is truly astounding. I am shocked at how many magicians are so incompetent they can't properly reason through the move.
The common response and thought is that the double lift isn't difficult. It's easy! That's what everyone is saying. But clearly these people are idiots. The move isn't easy, it is simple. There is a great deal of difference between a lack of difficulty and simplicity. Terribly complex solutions to problems are improved by simplicity not increasing levels of difficulty or intricacies. But this is getting off topic.
Next we see the argument between which double lift is better than the other. "This one look more natural" is often heard; "This is how a laymen would turnover a card" is another popular response. Both are terribly erroneous. Natural actions are suited not only to individuals but reaction to one's evironment. Therefore a double lift performed while sitting down in a relaxed setting might not be natural if one were standing. Also the mood of the performer might alter small details that make big differences, speed of action, grace, etc. Furthermore the statement of a laymen's technique is completel ridiculous. You are not a laymen. If you are a laymen you shouldn't be doing a double lift.
That being said, the idea of having just one double lift is ridiculous a well. Certainly a host of techniques all accomplishing the same things but used when the moment permits would be much more impactful than a one-size-fits-all technique that would be out of place regardless of how severe the discrepency. If it is only a little bit awkward that's fine but it is not the best and therefore it holds flaws. So we find error in the wonderful question, "What's the best double-lift?" There isn't one! Now if we can discontinue posting this horrid question perhaps magicians can save the time they would have spent fighting for Dingle or Lepaul and spend more time actually practicing whatever technique they prefer.

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