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From: catherine yronwode <cat@luckymojo.com>
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Subject: Re: Know anybody with magical powers?
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Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 02:32:30 GMT
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Richard Ballard wrote:
> 
> jwmeritt@aol.com (JWMeritt) writes:
> 
> >Richard Ballard wrote:

> > > A standard rule of magick is never use magick where
> >  >normal mundane methods suffice.
> >
> > In general, if there is an easier way that satisfies the
> > constraints and the decision method used (satisficing, 
> > optimizing,...), use it.
> 
> Optimization and constraints are judgment calls whose
> validity depends upon the available information and the
> wisdom of the individual specifying the constraints and
> the optimality definition.
> 
> Counterexamples:
> 1) Winning the battle and losing the war.
> 2) Throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
> 3) Spending your last dollar on a pouch to hold it
> (analogous to Longfellow's "The Gift Of The Magi").

O. Henry wrote "The Gift of the Magi." Longfellow wrote
other things.

Magic is not all that difficult to employ and it need not be
employed as a last resort nor construed to be in an
either/or relationship to other means, including legal,
medical, institutional, labour-intensive, social, familial,
political, psychological, philosophical, environmental,
musical, athletic, caloric, and diplomatic means of
achieving one's goals.  

cat yronwode