I'm pretty new to magic so I may be wrong, but from the impression I've got, winning at Fism is like,.. well, winning at Fism. It's a bubble within itself. It's like starting up a martial arts company, getting in a load of talent, and then declaring the winner "world champion" (See the UFC). He's not "world" champion, of course; but it sounds good for the company, and many people will genuinely believe that he is the world champion, just because they aren't aware how companies use words like this to their own benefit, regardless of the real meaning.
Before one bows down to organisations like this because of the self-flattery and propaganda they put out, its always useful to ask yourself who is gaining the most from what is happening. Is FISM (a) a private (profit making) organisation, or is it (b) run purely in the interest of helping magic, like a charity, rather than to make a few guys rich. Or is it (c) both? It all seems a little bit like a huge club now. I wonder how many magicians aren't allowed in that club because they didn't do things the way FISM would like? I suspect there are plenty.
|