figurative masturbation, once again

[Mullins, Bill]

Magicians use "masturbation" as a demeaning term about magic that is created

and practiced for its own sake, not for the benefit of spectators.  It may
include very fancy sleights or flourishes, which draw attention to
themselves
instead of accomplishing a secret effect.

>From the Genii Forum:
http://geniimagazine.com/forum/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000
273#000006
"as so many magicians in magic competitions create and perform magic to
perform
 just for themselves and not in the real world for non-magician audiences. I
know
 several magi that refer to this as "magical masturbation" "

Taking a sly dig at such magic, Lee Asher even has a small booklet entitled
"Hand Jobs":
http://www.leeasher.com/products_handjobs.htm