Andrew Mayne presents a radical twist on the classic newspaper tear (based on Jim Steinmeyer’s Incessant Newspaper) - a completely impromptu and inspectable newspaper tear!

A spectator is asked to sign a totally unprepared newspaper right off the newsstand. The magician then takes the paper and rips it to shreds. He crumples the pieces together and then visually restores the newspaper!

The restored newspaper, complete with signature, is handed back to the spectator to inspect and keep as a souvenir.

• Totally impromptu - no preparation
• Totally inspectable before and after the effect
• No switches, no duplicate newspapers
• Tear Down can be performed with full-sized newspapers, tabloid and even magazines!

Tear Down is one of the most practical and visual newspaper tear you’ll ever learn. Once you learn it, you’ll be able to perform it anytime, anywhere. Zero-preparation, no gimmicks, no duplicates. Just pick up a newspaper and do it!

Running time 33 minutes
Presented in widescreen format

Shipping March 25th!

Price $15
Order now (free US and Canadian shipping!)

International orders (+$2 for airmail)

This is just the teaser video…

Electronica/jazz version…

The classical version…

Kylie over at the PodBlack Blog has posted an interview with yours truly about science, skepticism and education. My favorite sub headline ever: “Andrew Mayne is a Marvel”. A Marvel comics character or a member of the Captain Marvel family is for you to decide…


Educationally Magical- PodBlack Blog

Tear Down is my brand new totally impromptu (I mean totally impromptu!) newspaper tear based on Jim Steinmeyer’s Incessant Newspaper (with his permission). It’ll be hitting streets in about a week.

You want this. Trust me. Once you learn it you’ll be a newspaper tearing fiend. You can do it anytime, anywhere with any newspaper. No duplicates, no gimmicks, no tape, blah, blah blah.

You tear up a signed newspaper. Restore it. Then hand it back to the audience. Everything can be inspected.

I swear it wasn’t me! Link

The winners are revealed in this video…

Get your entries in before the midnight deadline tonight (Eastern time). Only one entry per person.

The response to this drawing has been huge. Who would have thought there would be this much excitement over what could just be two-hours of a mime doing the Elmsley count while a monkey rides around on a tricycle playing a kazoo?

I’ve decided to up the ante on this mystery giveaway from this mystery person (who we hope isn’t a mime) by adding an additional prize into the mix. Everybody who sends an email to andrew@maynestream.com with “Mystery DVD” in the subject line is also eligible to win one of my coveted Shock Packs which includes: Shock FX, Maynia, Body Morphin’, Shock Magic, Mayhem, Mad Mojo and Armbuster. If you already entered you’re also entered for this contest too. Please no duplicate entries. And no mimes either.

I just received a message from a mysterious magician (who prefers to remain nameless) who wants to give away 3 free advance copies of his latest unreleased DVD (also nameless).

To win a copy you must send an email to andrew@maynestream.com with Mystery DVD in the subject line. There will be a drawing on Friday (March 7th) for the free DVDs.

50 things you can do to encourage critical thinking

I wrote this for Skeptic magazine five years ago. Since then it’s been given as a hand out at conferences and used as a starting point for thinking about ways to promote skepticism (looking at the world from a scientific point of view).

I’ve also included a handy PDF version here: Think Skeptically, Act Locally.pdf

Having a skeptical mind is great. But if your idea of encouraging skeptical thinking is to argue with anybody you can find, you might not be using your critical reasoning abilities to their fullest potential. There are a lot of opportunities out there to help other people develop an understanding of science and an awareness of skepticism. Step outside your local skeptics group and explore some of the ways you can have a positive impact on your community.

The following are just a few ideas on how we can promote critical thinking. My thanks to the many people who’ve offered their input and examples of what they’ve done. This list could be much larger, but there’s enough here for anyone to find a way they can take action.

Read the rest of this entry »