Professional vs Serious

Something that I've noticed about our community is the affinity for the term "professional." Effects are marketed as "professional", clothes and props are sold as "professional", and no one wants any advice from anyone but a "professional."

Well, I'm here to break the "professional" bubble, so to speak. A professional is someone who makes money at magic. That's it. The term doesn't speak to the level of skill, the quality of the act, or the depth of character development. It only denotes money.

I think that we should coin a new term to replace professional: serious.

A serious magician works hard; a serious magician strives to perfect routines and patter; A serious magician puts original thought into their effects; a serious magician works towards perfection.

Our history is littered with magicians who didn't make a living from magic but are considered top magicians, so out of respect for some of the most respected names in magic history: stop using the term professional.

~Cameron Rivers, Kings To You Magic