Except magic is NOT a tool, it is simply another manifestation of human
dexterity capable of fielding a wide range of other tools.  Let's consider
the following illustration.

OK, I was going to shut up about this thread, but this little statement set
me off.

Magic CAN be a tool.  Magic as you have shown it, with Simon and his chisel,
may or may not be.  Some authors have presented magic as being a "language"
that can be programmed.  (Cook's Wiz Zumwalt books.)  Sounds like it's a
tool to me...if your computer's a tool.  Others have presented it as an
inate ability.  Then, to me, it's nothing more than amidexterity, as you
said.

Magic, by definition, is something that can't be explained with conventional
physics.  HOW the author presents it can make it into almost anything - tool
or not.

--
Christopher "God-boy" Angel
cja124@mail.usask.ca
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/7040/
"I'm your worst nightmare - a manga
nut with a power ring."  Green Lantern