Several years ago, one of my children invited me to attend a class she was taking at her University. The professor, she told me, was one of the better teachers at the school, and he was also a part-time magician.

I attended the class and the professor was, indeed, quite an engaging teacher.

When the class was over my daughter introduced me to him. After thanking the young professor for allowing me to sit in on the class, and after praising his talent as a teacher, I told him that I too was interested in magic.

The professor said, "Funny, just yesterday I met the father of another student who also mentioned he was a magician."

He then said, "You know the double lift?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well," the professor continued, "I couldn't believe the man didn't know a double-lift. Every magician has to have the double-lift, basic palm, a few false shuffles and false counts in their arsenal. It's a must."

The professor did not seem to be dogmatic in his class, but after a few more minutes of conversation I had more than enough.

I generally don't like the word "must."

Or the word "should."

The world would be a better place if we all stopped "shoulding" on each other.

-Arthur