Other Visions

Doing the Right Thing
by Iain Dunford

Though it makes me cringe through every nerve in my body – I’ll get this sentence over and done with now – ok? Right…

“I am releasing some of my own material…”

There you go. Out in the open. I feel….sick. Wet mouthed and watery eyed.

I’ll tell you why. Well, the nerves of it all for starters, but that’s to be expected. The thing that’s making me nervy is…making sure I’m doing the right thing in doing so.

All too often, there’s new and shiny gimmicks released, spanking new dvds
and -- lawdy, mama – e-books…

And some, well, not to dance around it…are…shite! For non uk –residents, that means crapola, crud or any other excremental release…affluent effluence
if you will..

And, amongst the small pool of poo, I’ve noticed a worrying trend. No credits were credits are due. I mean, come on now, pretty much most of magical releases have a foot in the past rather than the future.

And quite rightly too – it’s a little like Oasis not saying they were influenced by the Beatles. If they hadn’t of said it, everyone would of thought it anyway. Why not wear your influences on your sleeve? Why not accept that you could only get where you are today, if it wasn’t for yesterday’s ideas?

Why not be proud to say you were influenced by a great mind? Where’s the shame in that for Corinda’s sake?!

Anyway, I’ve semi-invented something, again, its based on an old, old principle, so with great glee I can give thanks to x, y and z…Its my absolute pleasure to do so.

It’s the same with asking permissions. I’ve e-mailed some of the greats, and every single one has been polite, encouraging and genuinely pleased that I took the time to ask “Is it ok if I…”.

Which seems to me, to indirectly indicate that not everyone does. Which, again, is a shame…is it an ego thing, I wonder? Do we want to be seen as truly original, when maybe, there’s nothing that original about us? Are we fooling ourself first and foremost?

So, for those of us who are slowly crawling up the ladder, doing the best we can, can I also ask that we are crediting the best we can too?

Let’s not forget to thank the rest of our magical-family whenever we create something; if it wasn’t for those shadows cast by giants, or the seeds planted, we wouldn’t be here in the first place.

Iain Dunford