Uri Geller Thanks Skeptics

[Legend]

This is a blog entry found on Uri's site. Full of self flattery and insulting thanks to skeptics.


To all Skeptics - a big thankyou!

Can you imagine how flattering it is for me to know that close to five million individuals worldwide have taken the time to view Uri Geller video clips on YouTube?

Sometimes the clips are uploaded by my fans, sometimes by my detractors. A few purport to expose me. Others go to the opposite extreme and glorify me. Several feature me on the Johnny Carson show back in the Seventies — a 35-year-old, rather boring segment where nothing happens except a spoon gets a small dent in it.

Some videos try to imply that I pulled out a magnet from my hair and slipped it on my thumb in front of six rolling cameras in order to move a compass needle. Come on! I'm not that stupid!

Five million people! That's like filling up Manchester United's stadium to full capacity 100times or more. And the time taken to watch the actual videos comes to more than 90 years — an entire lifetime!

The people who are uploading these videos on YouTube, imagining that they are exposing me, are really giving me priceless exposure. They’re creating the most brilliant free publicity I could ever have, and certainly manufacturing more controversy... thus enhancing the mystery and mystique around Uri Geller.

The skeptics have been doing this for over 35 years! Wow! That’s a long publicity and PR campaign — and it’s all free! To calculate that in financial terms: if I had to pay for all this, I believe a Madison Avenue public relations agency would have charged me many millions of dollars over the decades. That's what the “Get Geller” bunch have supplied me with on a silver tray: FREE PUBLICITY. There is NO such thing as bad publicity (unless you are John Edwards and you’re running for president).

Sceptics are a tiny minority but in today’s age of the internet anything is possible, so I relish the positive impact sceptics have given my career. Yes, law suits flew which created more controversy and more publicity, and yes, lawyers got richer, but say what you will, whether you think I'm a fake or you believe I'm a miracle worker, I can assure you of one thing: I must be among the best PR gurus in the world. I’ve shown that I know how to reinvent myself over and over.

And now for the punch line, the knock-out if you will: the reality of the matter is that after being controversial, to say the least, for all these decades, with so many sceptics trying to debunk me, sometimes quite viciously, here is a short summary of my latest work:


My hit TV series The Successor has stormed the world with huge success and high ratings.
It has been televised so far in 11 countries, with many in line to acquire my format for 2009 and 2010.
Germany and Holland have taken the second season of The Next Uri Geller.
A&E, the American cable network, will broadcast the NBC version of my series Phenomenon in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Mexico and many more South American countries.
I have six more TV specials commissioned on other topics for Germany to be distributed worldwide.
The two documentaries produced for Sky in which I explore the dark side of Venice were picked up for DVD distribution and Staya Erusa, the film I co-produced about human consciousness, is now available on DVD in dozens of languages.
My line of amazing watches and rock crystal jewellery has just had its eighth anniversary on QVC, the shopping channel, and my novel Ella is in the pre-production stages of being turned into a Hollywood movie.


Oh, and I almost forgot my 10 commercials in recent years, the latest being for Nissan Motor cars in Japan. I don’t mean to brag, but you sceptics, especially the ones obsessed with Uri Geller... eat your hearts out. I'm sure some of you, in particular the one in Florida who has been announcing my demise for over 30 years, could be, just could be, spitting blood!

God bless him and God bless all the sceptics who have so diligently, for so many years, contributed priceless publicity to assist my career!

I’ll give the last word to Oscar Wilde: “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

Uri Geller

And one more thing, this is from the legendary David Berglas.

"If Uri is a magician, then he is the best we have ever seen, and the most famous since Houdini.
On the other hand if he is a psychic then he is the only man who can do what he does. Magician or Psychic, agree or disagree with him, either way we have to respect him for what he has done. He is truly a phenomenon".
-David Berglas

Sorry if this has already been posted.

Alex.

[fls]

This is a blog entry found on Uri's site. Full of self flattery and insulting thanks to skeptics.

Alex.

He might be right, though.

Linda

[CFLarsen]

Not a word about how he tried to get YouTube to remove all clips that showed what a fraud he is.


ETA: Uri Geller tries to censors YouTube - to no avail. (http://skepticreport.com/videos/urigelleryoutube.htm)

[CFLarsen]

Old thread here. (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=77734)

Uri Geller to be sued by EFF (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=81732)

[Legend]

He might be right, though.

Linda

What do you mean?

Not a word about how he tried to get YouTube to remove all clips that showed what a fraud he is.

You should contact the man. You can send him e-mails, which he reads. All of them. And replies to most. All of the ones I've sent at least. On his website.

Alex.

[fls]

What do you mean?

That all this attention has helped him rather than hurt him.

Linda

[VulcanWay]

You should contact the man. You can send him e-mails, which he reads. All of them. And replies to most. All of the ones I've sent at least. On his website.
So we should contact him to tell him about what he already knows and refuses to admit in any public forum?

[Legend]

fls: I see. And I think he is right.

VulcanWay: I think it'd be fun to see his response. I enjoy things like that. Seeing people scramble for an excuse when they're clearly wrong.

Alex.

[ScottXSI]

Bah! What a smug douche. Maybe its the booze talking, but Randi should just kick him in the balls.

I did enjoy how he carefully neglected to make claims about what his abilities are (Real or illusion)

[Denver]

That all this attention has helped him rather than hurt him.

Linda

It does seem a common celebrity tactic, that when your star is fading, you do whatever it takes to get some attention back. Lashing out at skeptics, rather than developing a new act, may be the only talent he has left.

To test that theory, the more he is ignored, the more boisterous he should become.

[desertgal]

I don’t mean to brag...

Pretty thorough job, for someone who didn't mean to.

, but you sceptics, especially the ones obsessed with Uri Geller... eat your hearts out. I'm sure some of you, in particular the one in Florida who has been announcing my demise for over 30 years, could be, just could be, spitting blood!

Because he succeeded at being a fraud? We already knew that.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Oh, look, a self-polishing turd.

:dl:

[humber]

Oh, look, a self-polishing turd.

:dl:

Good one!

[Monza]

It does seem a common celebrity tactic, that when your star is fading, you do whatever it takes to get some attention back...

I hope this doesn't mean a sex tape is in his future. "Look, look! It is starting to rise, to levitate, all on its own." No Uri, there is a perfectly logical explanation for that.

[Jim Callahan]

Uri and I spoke about this and it is nice he did some thanking publicly.

However it is too bad that most who he thanked are really cynics and not skeptics.

Y'all have a good night,

Jim

[skeen]

Uri and I spoke about this and it is nice he did some thanking publicly.

However it is too bad that most who he thanked are really cynics and not skeptics.

Y'all have a good night,

Jim

Of course you two spoke about this, you're one in the same. I am curious though, when you speak, do you pretend to one another that you're real, or do you drop the act?

Or, is it kind of an unspoken thing? I suspect it is. Silly little men.

[Dunstan]

The good news is, this means he won't be suing skeptics any more. By his own admission, he hasn't suffered any damages.

[skeen]

The good news is, this means he won't be suing skeptics any more. By his own admission, he hasn't suffered any damages.

You'd think he would have seen it coming anyway. Still waiting for the headline, "Psychic wins the lottery". Heh, you would think it would happen all the time! Grown up toddlers they are.

[Dunstan]

Still waiting for the headline, "Psychic wins the lottery".

"That's silly. Psychic powers don't work if you use them for your own financial gain. To find out why, buy my new book, 'Stuff I Made Up On a Bad Acid Trip,' available for $29.99 at bookstores everywhere, or arrange for a private reading (rates as low as $1000/hr!)"

[desertgal]

However it is too bad that most who he thanked are really cynics and not skeptics.




Well, yeah. Decades of performing flagrant fakery, combined with bad acting, will bring out the cynic in his viewers.

You should know that, Jimbo.

[godless dave]

Uri and I spoke about this and it is nice he did some thanking publicly.

However it is too bad that most who he thanked are really cynics and not skeptics.

What's "too bad" about that? I am both a cynic and a skeptic, and proud to be both.

[steve s]

a 35-year-old, rather boring segment where nothing happens except a spoon gets a small dent in it.

A perfect summary of Gellar's career.

Come on! I'm not that stupid!

Sure you are, Uri. And what's worse, you think we are too.




Sceptics are a tiny minority

I hate this type of mindset, as though skepticism is some sort of disease or handicap.

Steve S.

[Ron_Tomkins]

Sounds to me like the equivalent of a troll thanking everyone else for perpetuating his attention.

[Dunstan]

Sounds to me like the equivalent of a troll thanking everyone else for perpetuating his attention.

It reminds me more of Br'er Rabbit:

Uri: "Oh please, skeptics, keep giving me free publicity with your criticism!"
Dumb skeptics: "Oh, so you like our criticism? Ha! We'll show you! From now on, we're going to ignore you, and let you spew your bull unchallenged!"
Uri: "Oh no, anything but that!"

or perhaps Tom Sawyer and painting the fence.

[quarky]

I wonder if Milli Vanilli sold more records after the admission of not really being a band?
(One of them offed himself; I think it was Milli)

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

I would also like to give a big thank to all the skeptics. If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t know how he used a stupid magnet trick to make a compass spin. If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t of seen him get made a fool of by Carson and Randi. If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t of seen him turn down the opportunities to prove himself in a controlled lab or on stage with Criss Angle for 1 million bucks. If it weren’t for you he wouldn’t have had to make a post on his blog defending his 4-decade plus scams. But most importantly, if it weren’t for you many, MANY more people would think this man was some kind of walking proof of paranormal clams instead of the fraud he is. And because of that he will go down in the books dismissed by most as just another lying fraud. So thank you skeptics, and keep up the good work.

-Kyle

[Jim Callahan]

Kyle, I gotta say your post was great it made my night it made me laugh and I want to show other just how much fun the lost can be!

As I read you post I could hear the voice of Forest Gump.
If that is what you were going for you nailed it slick.

I say well done.

God I love some of you guys .

Jim

H.O.A-X

[skeen]

Kyle, I gotta say your post was great it made my night it made me laugh and I want to show other just how much fun the lost can be!

As I read you post I could hear the voice of Forest Gump.
If that is what you were going for you nailed it slick.

I say well done.

God I love some of you guys .

Jim

H.O.A-X

Jim, you swirl around in a chair pretending to speak to a spirit called Raymond, and you're attempting to insult someone else?

Hilarious.

Our skepticism isn't going away, and to both you and Uri: you're welcome. We'll continue to publicly scrutinize you - you will never, ever, ever be in a position where everyone believes you. And who are we kidding? You're great entertainment! It's fun watching you squirm.

:D

[Jim Callahan]

Jim, you swirl around in a chair pretending to speak to a spirit called Raymond, and you're attempting to insult someone else?

Hilarious.

Our skepticism isn't going away, and to both you and Uri: you're welcome. We'll continue to publicly scrutinize you - you will never, ever, ever be in a position where everyone believes you. And who are we kidding? You're great entertainment! It's fun watching you squirm.

:D

Thanks man for prooving my point.
(So much fun so little time before Randi turns corpse).

Jim

H.o.A-X

[Dunstan]

(So much fun so little time before Randi turns corpse).

Classy.

[paximperium]

Thanks man for prooving my point.
(So much fun so little time before Randi turns corpse).

Jim

H.o.A-X
You truly are sad excuse for a living being.

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

As I read you post I could hear the voice of Forest Gump.
If that is what you were going for you nailed it slick.


LOL, no I wasn’t going for that that but thanks for a laugh in return.

-Kyle

[skeen]

Thanks man for prooving my point.
As I said, you're very welcome.

(So much fun so little time before Randi turns corpse).
For this you deserve a good beating.

[Jim Callahan]

As I said, you're very welcome.


For this you deserve a good beating.

Hey it is what he want and embraces.
Why should I not find humour in his final end.

Don't you get his deal or are you just ignoring his message?

I get it and it is funny as are all things if looked at correctly.

Take a breath look around find a girl or guy what ever you choose and have some fun.

This is just a forum of no value.... Hope you really don't see it as anything more.

If you do let me know becouse I do not.

Best Wishes,
Jim

H.O.A-X

[skeen]

Well, this forum, and this thread is instrumental in exposing you for the liar, and kook that you are. All of this is just a Google search away. You must wish it was the old days, when people wouldn't so easily have found out about you frauds.

You need to get some respect. You have nothing on James Randi, who is one of the greatest magicians of all time, rivaling Houdini (though he would never say so). If you don't, I'll summon my team of super-fighting-spirits to come and get you, because, ya know, those things are possible.

[desertgal]

For this you deserve a good beating.

Ah, but Randi probably doesn't even remember that Jimbo exists. :D

[Jim Callahan]

Ok man thanks for the fun and giggles you last post was deluxe.

Jim

H.O.A-X

[skeen]

Ah, but Randi probably doesn't even remember that Jimbo exists. :D

No, of course not. I expect Jim will be tossing burgers in no time.

[arthwollipot]

Why should I not find humour in his final end.Do you often laugh when people die? You must be a riot at funerals.

[Jim Callahan]

From what I heard he was praying durring his last episode in the hospital.
Maybe it was just a rumor but it is kind of funny if it was true.
(Possibly he was out of it and what does that say)?

Anyway I was offering a bit of dark humour and I am sorry if I upset any of you.

It might have been funny to me but I deal with a good deal of darkness and I see now my comments were not suitable for those who do not also.

I say sorry.

Jim,

[arthwollipot]

From what I heard he was praying durring his last episode in the hospital.
Maybe it was just a rumor but it is kind of funny if it was true.I would be very much surprised if this were true.
I say sorry.Apology accepted. By me, at least.

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

Thanks for the sorry, but damn, your kind of a dick.

-Kyle

[Jim Callahan]

Thanks for the sorry, but damn, your kind of a dick.

-Kyle

Man you are not the first to say that.

Just wondering how often have you said that sort of thing to a freind?
Really?

Sometimes I make the misstake of treating even people I do not know as I do people i do.

If you see that in me I bet you have a few buddys that have said the same thing about you.

Man I really gotta get some sleep.

See ya later,

Jim

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

I never said I wasn’t a dick…I am sure I am. I just think coming onto Randi’s message board and talking about glad when he dies BS is a real dick move. That’s all. So besides that and being a lying mentalist, I am sure you have tons of great qualities too. You just hardly ever bring them here.

-Kyle

[Robin]

There is a quote, commonly attributed to PT Barnum, that more accurately explains UG's success.

[not daSkeptic]

This is just a forum of no value.... Hope you really don't see it as anything more.

If you do let me know becouse I do not.

Liar! If this forum truly held no value for you, you wouldn't be here. But please, keep it up. JREF will keep recording everything.

[Legend]

This thread's purpose wasn't to start an attack on anyone.

Jim - shutup. Everyone else making comments to or about Jim - shutup too.

Get this thread back on topic before it ends up in AAH. Which I don't want, nor did I intend.

Alex.

[athon]

The reality is that those clips are damn useful for people in my line of work. Showing them to kids, they instantly see how easily people can be fooled by nonsense. I rarely get any comment other than 'Is he for real?', along with a lot of giggling.

If Uri really falls for the whole 'no such thing as bad publicity', he needs to sit in on one of my classes. He works better as a vague anecdote - those clips show him to be the fraud he is.

Athon

[articulett]

I have the same experience. I teach 14 year olds. I tell them that when I was their age I "believed in" Uri's powers.

He is a fabulous lesson on how easy it is to fool ourselves. I tell them about the people he fooled and show them the Tonight Show clip. It's always a great learning tool.

[CFLarsen]

What is Randi's "message" that makes his death a laugh riot?

[arthwollipot]

Claus,

This thread's purpose wasn't to start an attack on anyone.

Jim - shutup. Everyone else making comments to or about Jim - shutup too.

Get this thread back on topic before it ends up in AAH. Which I don't want, nor did I intend.

Alex.

[Legend]

My message sounds rude. Sorry.

It was meant as a stern mediation, but came across otherwise. All I meant was to stop things before it got out of control.

You know...

Alex.

[quarky]

Here's a slightly off-topic story I need to share before I forget it:

I live in Bible-thumping Appalachia. I have a hill-billy friend, and we were cracking black walnuts. If you've ever tried, you'll know that the nut-meats are very difficult to get out of the hard shell. He told me that he once spent about 12 days getting the nut out in one whole piece. He wouldn't tell me how he did it; doesn't much matter.

Anyway, he covered the whole nut meat in another shell, and tucked it into a bowl of un-shelled nuts. He and another friend were shelling some nuts, and my friend mentions that he can get the whole nut meat out, which , naturally, the other guy doesn't believe.

After a few purposefull failed attempts, he reaches down in the bowl and gets his special walnut, 'breaks' it open, and pulls out the whole nut. The stunned friend went on to spread the story around the mountain, claiming it was a miracle.

My friend laughs and says to me "I wonder if that's how Jesus got started?"

[Legend]

What the hell?

Just something I wanted to get off my chest before I forget: what's the speed of dark?

J/K. I love that story.

Alex.

[tkingdoll]

I can't be bothered to read this whole thread, has anyone yet pointed out that it works both ways? Without spoonbenders like Geller, Randi's career wouldn't have been so stellar either. I'm sure no-one ever donated a million dollars to Uri Geller.

Really, without the criminals, we wouldn't need the police. It's a symbiotic circle. The irony of thanking Randi for keeping Geller in the public eye is hilarious.

[skeen]

Jim, you heard no such rumor, and no-one believes that you did. Further proving what a pathetic liar you are. You're really a spectacle.

Yes, I can really imagine the nurses leaking this rumor out, and it goes through all sorts of dark shadowy channels until it finally reaches the silly phenomenon man. That's not even remotely believable; do you not see how ridiculous your claims are?

[Jim Callahan]

Jim, you heard no such rumor, and no-one believes that you did. Further proving what a pathetic liar you are. You're really a spectacle.

Yes, I can really imagine the nurses leaking this rumor out, and it goes through all sorts of dark shadowy channels until it finally reaches the silly phenomenon man. That's not even remotely believable; do you not see how ridiculous your claims are?

Hey man I was just offering what I heard.

People do strange things when they are in bad or altered states.

Anyway does it matter?

Let us stay on topic.
I think it is a good move Uri thanking the skeptics.

Best Wishes,

Jim

[skeen]

Hey man I was just offering what I heard.

People do strange things when they are in bad or altered states.

Anyway does it matter?

Let us stay on topic.
I think it is a good move Uri thanking the skeptics.

Best Wishes,

Jim

Yes it does matter, because you're inventing a rumor, and trying to perpetuate it. You heard nothing. You would be the last person to hear such a thing, you're just a charlatan.

As for Uri thanking the skeptics, yes, it is a good move. It's an attempt to get us off of his back, and it is transparent in nature. There must be very few people in the world that think that Uri is for real.

As for you, I doubt anyone thinks you're real, unless they're woo's themselves. Poor you, you never had a chance eh? Would you like some swirl with your chair? :D

[Jim Callahan]

Yes it does matter, because you're inventing a rumor, and trying to perpetuate it. You heard nothing. You would be the last person to hear such a thing, you're just a charlatan.

As for Uri thanking the skeptics, yes, it is a good move. It's an attempt to get us off of his back, and it is transparent in nature. There must be very few people in the world that think that Uri is for real.

As for you, I doubt anyone thinks you're real, unless they're woo's themselves. Poor you, you never had a chance eh? Would you like some swirl with your chair? :D

I am sorry what i heard upsets you so much.

At least we agree on it being a good move by Uri.

Best Wishes,

Jim

PS. I am real and have proven it time and again.

[cj.23]

Happy New Year Mr Geller. We have a few friends in common, and siome people who spent an evening with you insist you are a lovely bloke - well I guess you may well be. I am however, and i know you will never read this, puzzled by your post. Not a word of "how I advanced psychical research", not a single word of "and here is to all the other psychics out there" - instead you choose to praise the sceptics (and hell, I guess i'm a sceptic) who have given you the oxygen of publicity.

Now I recall another 70's psychic, now i believe extremely wealthy - Mathhew Manning. He has vanished in to obscurity, but still does his stuff and i think in circles where these things matter must be, in terms of earnings and work, the second most famous psychic. I like Manning's near anonymity - I wonder what he is up to these days? I was rather shocked years ago to discover the fellow i had read so much about was living as my sisters neighbour, but I respected his privacy, and did not knock or intrude. I'm sure he ahs beter things to do than talk to psychic investigators. Manning appears to run a slick, commercial operation - and do very nicely without us sceptics??

If you are a fake Uri, why not finally confess? Is it not time for you to show how you did it? Is the meystery worth more than the international fame and adulation that you could gain as a truly spectacular magician who enlivened many lives, and brought joy to many? If you are not - then why not mention others in the field? It's an odd blog post, and I see your point -- but really, it does sound like a showman who has simply decded to NEVER share his tricks.

I hope one day to meet you and talk- till then, happy New Year.

cj x

[skeen]

I am sorry what i heard upsets you so much.
You didn't hear anything. :)

PS. I am real and have proven it time and again.
Hilarious. :D

[Jim Callahan]

You didn't hear anything. :)


Hilarious. :D

To Quote Napolean Dynamite "How could you possibly even know that"?

What differance does it make really that I heard it?

None really.

Jim

[Silentknight]

This is a blog entry found on Uri's site. Full of self flattery and insulting thanks to skeptics.

No surprises there. Given that he spends inordinate amounts of time stroking his spoons back and forth (and back and forth) in order to get something interesting to happen, he's bound to do the same with-- his ego.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I am sorry what i heard upsets you so much.

At least we agree on it being a good move by Uri.

Best Wishes,

Jim

PS. I am real and have proven it time and again.

There is no doubt you are real. The issue is: "You are a real what"? ;)

[Legend]

Slowly getting back on topic...

Alex.

[George]

Thanks man for prooving my point.
(So much fun so little time before Randi turns corpse).

Jim

H.o.A-X


You're determined to go out in a blaze of ignominy aren't you?

What happened to panache, style, or dare I say it? Elegance?

Do it right fella.
It is still possible to buy a Honda RC45 for £1,000
OK, The carbs are a bastard to tune, but then it hardly matters does it. You only have to get the thing running once.
Apparently you are determined to fall on your own sword. Well so be it.
No problems.
You couldn't have found a better place to do it.

That bike was always a bugger to start, but Remember!
Wherever you end up, you'll be on your own. No Randi, no Dawkins, no Dennett. No one to mock.
However this is the good news. For the sceptical community that is.
Your words are recorded on, Thor knows how many servers this bolloks is stored on? For as long as hard drives exists You will be remembered as an arch twat. This thread is your legacy mister!

Give it plenty choke then drop the clutch.
Fair well.

[PixyMisa]

Five million is nothing. Fifty-six million people have watched The Mysterious Ticking Noise.

Tx1XIm6q4r4

[Legend]

I give up. Take my thread wherever the hell you people want.

Alex.

[George]

Five million is nothing. Fifty-six million people have watched The Mysterious Ticking Noise.

Tx1XIm6q4r4

I know this is unrelated, but this is to good to miss.

Er, this is a milder one.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiApCqDBaM&feature=PlayList&p=70A236FB8A1D58FA&index=1

I am totally fascinated with these Parodies. There are loads of them.



NONE OF THEM SAFE FOR WORK.

tRY THIS ONE.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lZyK7dvyLsA&feature=related

eR HOW DID i MANAGE TO EMBED THAT? i.VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE. bUT i'M WELL IMPERSSED.

tHIS IS ANOTHER BEAUTY. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lZyK7dvyLsA&feature=related

[SirPhilip]

Not a word about how he tried to get YouTube to remove all clips that showed what a fraud he is. Didn't seem so thankful either at the time..

[ttguy]

CFLarsen
Not a word about how he tried to get YouTube to remove all clips that showed what a fraud he is.


Good to see he was unsucessfull at this. See irritatedbyGeller on youtube

[Bob Klase]

From what I heard he was praying durring his last episode in the hospital.
Maybe it was just a rumor but it is kind of funny if it was true.
(Possibly he was out of it and what does that say)?

From what I heard you wet your pants when Angel offered you a million dollars and wet them again when you figured out you couldn't meet the challenge.
Maybe it was just a rumor, but it's hilarious if it was true.

[gdnp]

Skeptics and psychics are synergistic. No one would pay attention to skeptics if there were not frauds to reveal, but what Geller says is true: it gives him free publicity, and what he sells is a show. If Randi's goal was to shut him down he has been unsuccessful. Geller may be a one trick pony, but he has made his one trick pay handsomely.

The one comment I would disagree with is the suggestion that Geller will not file any more lawsuits. I suspect he will. When it's filed he will get a burst of free publicity, and when it's dropped or it loses either no one will notice or he will get more free publicity. Either way, it's a net positive.

[Dunstan]

The one comment I would disagree with is the suggestion that Geller will not file any more lawsuits. I suspect he will.

I was being sarcastic. It's not as if Geller feels bound by the constraints of truth or integrity.

[Legend]

Has anyone heard about the claims of an Uri an Randi encounter at (I think) a display of David Blaine's?

I believe I read it on Uri's site.

It read that Uri spotted Randi and walked up to him to shake his hand. Randi didn't respond, leading Uri to inquire 'why [Randi] didn't shake his hand'. Randi apparently replied: "Because I hate your guts".

I was wondering if this story is true or at least, if you've heard of it...

Alex.

[SirPhilip]

Either way, it's a net positive. The hell it is. Deceitfulness is never good publicity - he wouldn't have gone to lengths to remove anything implying he was dishonest otherwise.

For every routine Geller employs show common people likewise and match it with style and discreetness. Then explain exactly how the trick was performed and nuances. Geller employing the same routine with the same mechanics involved. I can guarantee you he won't be thankful. Challenge Geller to perform it in a manner inconsistent with a common trick, the viewer now knowing exactly what that is. Randi did it with bending a spoon, but I could see a lot more effective camera work driving the point beyond any doubt.

[gdnp]

The hell it is. Deceitfulness is never good publicity - he wouldn't have gone to lengths to remove anything implying he was dishonest otherwise.

For every routine Geller employs show common people likewise and match it with style and discreetness. Then explain exactly how the trick was performed and nuances. Geller employing the same routine with the same mechanics involved. I can guarantee you he won't be thankful. Challenge Geller to perform it in a manner inconsistent with a common trick, the viewer now knowing exactly what that is. Randi did it with bending a spoon, but I could see a lot more effective camera work driving the point beyond any doubt.

Yeah, but most people won't see the video. They'll just remember the name. And the name being well known will get him bookings, and TV shows, etc.

If skeptics have been so successful, why has Geller continued to be so successful?

It reminds me of the purported quote by Adalai Stevenson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adlai_Stevenson):

During one of Stevenson's presidential campaigns, allegedly, a supporter told him that he was sure to "get the vote of every thinking man" in the U.S., to which Stevenson is said to have replied, "Thank you, but I need a majority to win."

The best skeptics can do is convince the thinking people.

[SirPhilip]

It read that Uri spotted Randi and walked up to him to shake his hand. Randi didn't respond, leading Uri to inquire 'why [Randi] didn't shake his hand'. Randi apparently replied: "Because I hate your guts".
I was wondering if this story is true or at least, if you've heard of it...
I wouldn't doubt it. Randi's contempt for deceitfulness is barely concealed. The man's life revolves around fighting crime, complete with headquarters, databases, and a million dollars. The only thing that is missing is the cape..

[Legend]

What are you talking about?

12610

Alex.

[SirPhilip]

The best skeptics can do is convince the thinking people. I'd love to get a team of broadcast professionals together and volunteers and blow that notion right out of the water. Lancaster put a simple site up documenting Browne, got on CNN, and generated an enormous amount of public attention. Browne was not thankful. Not only was it a commendable public service, it was probably instrumental in this (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/01/montel_williams_cancels_his_ta.html). I can guarantee you, though - it's very easy to break the spell. Teaching, after all is an art.

[Skeptic]

Look, folks, I've heard Uri Geller give a talk in Barnes & Noble.

Among his claims:

1). He made 200 parachute jumps when he was in the Israeli paratroopers. (Even the commander of the paratroopers probably doesn't have 50 jumps to his credit. Corporals, like Geller, are lucky to get one or two jumps above the required five during their service.)

2). He was recruited to the Mossad (Israeli secret service) -- but it's a SECRET, you see, so we shouldn't tell anybody. (An actual Mossad agent, needless to say, will not brag about it deliberately to a roomfull of strangers).

3). His recruiter was his airborne infantry battalion commander, who had a part-time job as a Mossad agent. (Oh sure, Uri. Both being a secret service agent and commanding a combat battalion are, as we know, part time jobs. The commute must be hell, though.)

4). He stopped WWIII using his psychic powers to aim peaceful thoughts at Gurbachev during the falls of the USSR. Proof: WWIII hasn't happened yet. (And I have a magic stone that keeps lions away. Proof: there are no lions in my house.)

5). He will bring peace to the middle east (the less said about that, the better.)

6). He caused a soccer player from the opposing team to the one he was "helping" to miss an easy shot. PROOF: the guy missed an easy shot. (See (4) above.)

7). Despite being a Mossad agent, and not actually being an American citizen, the CIA had no problem recruiting him, as well. (Of course, Uri. We believe you...) That, too, incidentally, is a secret I wasn't supposed to tell (see (2) above).

8). His CIA job: to sit next to Russian spies flying back to the USSR and erase the "Computer disks with top-secret material" they were carrying with them using his psychic powers. (Why not just arrest the guy and confiscate the disks? Somehow, I can't imagine a CIA operator saying: "It's OK, Boss. Boris, that mole, flew home with all the missile launch codes, but I've sent Uri Geller next to him on the plane, so don't worry about it.")

...and so on and so forth. You simply cannot believe a single word the man says about ANYTHING, not only about his "psychic" powers, which are rather obviously nothing but well-worn magic tricks. He's just pathological liar, and a bad one, at that.

Does ANYBODY except for a dwindling minority of the terminally deluded takes this clown seriously any more?

[Legend]

Geez. If what you're saying is accurate, thanks heaps for posting this.

Very interesting, big thankyou.

Alex.

[Skeptic]

Another thing I don't understand about Uri Geller. He claims to have a psychic ability to bend spoons and keys.

Even he were telling the truth, which he obviously isn't -- he was caught cheating so many times, only the terminally naive still believe him -- what's the point?

Some "psychic power" that is -- a bit like a comic book superhero whose special ability is to look good when wearing a spotted shirt with striped pants.

Big deal!

[Skeptic]

Legend:

There is a Hebrew expression, "I swear by touching an object" (originally, presumably, some holy book or article) "that what I say is true". It is equivalent roughly to "I swear on the bible".

Well, I swear by touching various objects that, except perhaps (on second thought) that I am not sure now whether he said he would bring about mideast peace or world peace, I've heard him tell us all that with my own ears.

Another tidbit: he was advertised by the B&N staff along the "meet the world's greatest psychic" (it was a book-signing tour) lines, but he was late due to unexpected traffic delays, as the store worker apologetically told us.

[Legend]

If you had a recording of him saying those things, it would be unreal. If that information was given to the right people, it could seriously screw him up.

Alex.

[SirPhilip]

If you had a recording of him saying those things, it would be unreal. If that information was given to the right people, it could seriously screw him up. Alex. Sentiments exactly. $1000 could be raised for the project, more than enough to keep a small domain up for two years, and volunteers here would be happy to contribute to fact checking and airtight investigative work.

[gdnp]

Does ANYBODY except for a dwindling minority of the terminally deluded takes this clown seriously any more?

If any of this from the OP is true, it would appear so:

here is a short summary of my latest work:

* My hit TV series The Successor has stormed the world with huge success and high ratings.
* It has been televised so far in 11 countries, with many in line to acquire my format for 2009 and 2010.
* Germany and Holland have taken the second season of The Next Uri Geller.
* A&E, the American cable network, will broadcast the NBC version of my series Phenomenon in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Mexico and many more South American countries.
* I have six more TV specials commissioned on other topics for Germany to be distributed worldwide.
* The two documentaries produced for Sky in which I explore the dark side of Venice were picked up for DVD distribution and Staya Erusa, the film I co-produced about human consciousness, is now available on DVD in dozens of languages.
* My line of amazing watches and rock crystal jewellery has just had its eighth anniversary on QVC, the shopping channel, and my novel Ella is in the pre-production stages of being turned into a Hollywood movie.


Oh, and I almost forgot my 10 commercials in recent years, the latest being for Nissan Motor cars in Japan.

[Legend]

Sentiments exactly. $1000 could be raised for the project, more than enough to keep a small domain up for two years, and volunteers here would be happy to contribute to fact checking and airtight investigative work.

Now we're talking. This is the type of stuff we should be looking at.

Although living in Western Australia, I may not be of too much assisstance. Except for web searches.

Alex.

[quarky]

I can't be bothered to read this whole thread, has anyone yet pointed out that it works both ways? Without spoonbenders like Geller, Randi's career wouldn't have been so stellar either. I'm sure no-one ever donated a million dollars to Uri Geller.

Really, without the criminals, we wouldn't need the police. It's a symbiotic circle. The irony of thanking Randi for keeping Geller in the public eye is hilarious.

Without the laws, there would be no criminals or police.

Without woo, this website wouldn't exist.

Happy new year, woo.
May you provide us with ample debunkable scams in 2009?

[Legend]

Happy new year, woo.

Happy New Year to woo too!

Epic fail.

I can't help myself with puns, though...

Alex.

[arthwollipot]

I give up. Take my thread wherever the hell you people want.

Alex.Welcome to the JREF, Alex. Threads take on a life of their own... :cool:

[Legend]

Yes. Bill (lionking) pointed this out to me in a PM.

I don't care much anymore. The OP was vague and it is more of a reference and comment thing than a conversation starter.

Alex.

[Skeptic]

I must disagree, alas, that I missed on opportunity to make Geller look silly if I had recorded and published those comments.

First of all, to make Geller sillier than he already is would take something much more serious than that.

Second, he is already on record claiming (among other things) that he was visited by aliens from outer space and that he had teleported himself from Grand Central Station to a friend's house in Chappaqua, New York.

By comparison, his lies now are small fry; at least they don't violate the laws of physics -- which is as close as Geller ever comes to telling the truth.

By the way:

1). His show in Israel, "The Successor" (as if Israel didn't have enough problems) was, contrary to his claim, more or less universally panned, and he himself seen as a pahetic figure.

2). A close relative of mine knows for a fact that Uri Geller did serve some of his reserve service time in Military Intelligence.

Geller, like many entertainers in the 70s, officially recruited to the IDF's Entertainment & Education corps (rough translation from the Hebrew name) which would send them to do shows for soldiers in various bases.

My relative tells me he was an eye witness when, one time in the mid-70s or so, Geller had appeared, and done his magic tricks, in a Military Intelligence base! So, the hell with you, skeptics -- who says he has no connection to top-secret Military Intelligence?

3). Geller is living proof that those who said "evil is its own punishment" knew something about what they were talking about. Consider: Geller is a millionaire, a celebrity, a man who lives the good life in a mansion... but, on the debit side, he HAS TO BE URI GELLER, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

An horrific thought, don't you think? I mean, what would YOU do if you woke up one morning and found out that you are Uri Geller? You'd kill yourself, most probably...

[gdnp]

3). Geller is living proof that those who said "evil is its own punishment" knew something about what they were talking about. Consider: Geller is a millionaire, a celebrity, a man who lives the good life in a mansion... but, on the debit side, he HAS TO BE URI GELLER, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

An horrific thought, don't you think? I mean, what would YOU do if you woke up one morning and found out that you are Uri Geller? You'd kill yourself, most probably...

Yet Geller chose to be Geller, and I did not. He does not appear to be suffering too greatly. In fact, based on this post, he seems to be laughing all the way to the bank.

It is a dangerous fallacy to assume that others think like you do.

[TheDoLittle]

I hope this doesn't mean a sex tape is in his future. "Look, look! It is starting to rise, to levitate, all on its own." No Uri, there is a perfectly logical explanation for that.


Problem is when he rubs it, his "fork" days are over.

[Legend]

I must disagree, alas, that I missed on opportunity to make Geller look silly if I had recorded and published those comments.

First of all, to make Geller sillier than he already is would take something much more serious than that.

Second, he is already on record claiming (among other things) that he was visited by aliens from outer space and that he had teleported himself from Grand Central Station to a friend's house in Chappaqua, New York.

By comparison, his lies now are small fry; at least they don't violate the laws of physics -- which is as close as Geller ever comes to telling the truth.

By the way:

1). His show in Israel, "The Successor" (as if Israel didn't have enough problems) was, contrary to his claim, more or less universally panned, and he himself seen as a pahetic figure.

2). A close relative of mine knows for a fact that Uri Geller did serve some of his reserve service time in Military Intelligence.

Geller, like many entertainers in the 70s, officially recruited to the IDF's Entertainment & Education corps (rough translation from the Hebrew name) which would send them to do shows for soldiers in various bases.

My relative tells me he was an eye witness when, one time in the mid-70s or so, Geller had appeared, and done his magic tricks, in a Military Intelligence base! So, the hell with you, skeptics -- who says he has no connection to top-secret Military Intelligence?

3). Geller is living proof that those who said "evil is its own punishment" knew something about what they were talking about. Consider: Geller is a millionaire, a celebrity, a man who lives the good life in a mansion... but, on the debit side, he HAS TO BE URI GELLER, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

An horrific thought, don't you think? I mean, what would YOU do if you woke up one morning and found out that you are Uri Geller? You'd kill yourself, most probably...

We're talking about seriously fraudulent claims. It would hurt him, somehow.

Alex.

[pakeha]

Speaking of Uri Geller,
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:3FSScEVRRqcJ:www.centerforinquiry.n et/blog/2005_uri_geller_michael_jacksons_career_comeback_t o_be_most_dramatic_ever_s/+Uri+Geller+MJ+2009&cd=10&hl=es&ct=clnk&gl=es

[pakeha]

Did any of our UK posters see Uri Geller's ITV show last Sunday evening
"My Friend, MJ"?
I saw the promo on Geller's website just now.