My life, my dominion

i just watched a little bit of harry potter( there wasn't anything else good on tv) and really, i don't like it's brand if magic.

why? i know it's rather traditional what with spells and potions (there are potions right?) and the usual shape shifting stuff. But although they still have to learn the stuff, does uttering a bunch of words do anything? is there like a bunch of spirits sitting around with super recorders listening out for the given words and then they swoop down to fulfil the spell.

If magic was a thing of power and talent, then shouldn't the mind be the most powerful caster of it all. where the mere thought would be sufficient and not the proper linguistics?

Wouldn't a strong will be a much better conduit for magical power than the tail feather of a phoenix. Though that i kind of liked.
i always preferred magic when it was about understanding. Understanding the things around us, understanding yourself and using that understanding to wield great power.

well i'll go dwell about this on my own :)