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The magic that you see magicians performing today is reallytruly amazing. It seems like every year the bar is being raisedto put the challenge on the rest of the magic community to comeup with the next 'big thing'. Magic shows are getting bigger;they're getting more elaborate; they're getting extreme. But isbigger always better?

Think about it. What would you rather see, David Copperfield onstage performing one of his unbelievable elusions with all thelights, pretty assistants, and fire and smoke or some ordinaryJoe walking up to you on the street and asking you to pick acard, any card?

What's your first reaction? Of course, who wouldn't want to gosee David Copperfield? He is the man, well known for all of hismind blowing magic that he has performed on stage and seen bymillions on TV. Hey, if I was asked this question, I'd be thefirst to admit, I would choose David Copperfield in a heartbeat.

But let's take a step back and think about this question, DavidCopperfield or Ordinary Joe. You've got the glamour versus thestruggling street performer. Why would we choose Copperfieldover Ordinary Joe? Is it because we know what Mr. Copperfieldcan do and we know whatever he does is over the top and we willenjoy it? Most likely, but what about Ordinary Joe? Why notgive him a chance?

If you really think about it, do you know what this Ordinary Joecan do? Nope. So maybe it may be more exciting to see what hecan do over Copperfield. Just maybe this Ordinary Joe hassomething that you and the rest of the world have never seenbefore. He may even have the next 'big thing' in magic.

Maybe Ordinary Joe isn't so ordinary after all. Now that I haveput this perspective into your mind, I'll ask the questionagain, Copperfield or Ordinary Joe? It's still a tough sell,isn't it? We are still drawn to the glamour and lights ofCopperfield because we know what he can do, he is a provenentertainer.

You may be asking yourself, so what is the point in all of this?My point is that David Copperfield use to be that Ordinary Joeand now look at him. He is far from ordinary. So next time,take the time to give that Ordinary Joe a chance to show you themagic he can do because he could be showing you the next 'bigthing'. In the end, magic being performed by some one on thestreet or on some big stage, it is still magic and that's whatcounts.