Uri Geller & the Skeptical movement

[thatguywhojuggles]

Is having a character like Uri Geller around a benefit or a hindrance to the skeptical movement?

[Zep]

Provided the skeptics make GOOD use of all the available channels of propaganda, twits like Uri make good public punching-bags, i.e. object lessons.

[jmercer]

He's of limited value. Continually using any single fraud as a target will eventually create a sympathetic backlash having nothing to do with logic or truth.

Limited value isn't the same as valueless, however. ;)

[Mercutio]

I just showed a movie in my class today in which a parapsychology researcher is asked about Uri...and responds [not verbatim] "I have spoken with researchers whom I believe, who say that they have seen Uri commit fraud...others whom I also trust say that they have seen him perform under conditions which prohibit cheating...he is a very difficult case." (or, something close to that)

If Uri can get True Believers (tm) to admit that he is sometimes faking, Uri is a boon to the skeptical movement.

[jmercer]

Just so long as we don't make him a martyr. :D

[misawafan]

I do know that he's hilarious. Watching him, any time he has a camera on him or an audience nearby, attempt to display his "powers" is wonderful stuff. It could be a cruise ship, a restaurant, a homeless shelter, the election in Iraq, a funeral - If Uri can get there we'll get to see him attempt to move compasses, bend stuff, etc.

[CFLarsen]

Mercutio,

Could you email me at editor@skepticreport.com?

[thatguywhojuggles]

Wouldn't it be a strange turn of events if Uri Geller suddenly announced that he as a magician was aware of how easily the public is fooled by simple magician's tricks. Indeed, announcing that he was a skeptic all along and the last xx number of years was just a secret experiment in promoting skepticism. That in fact, he let himself get caught because he wanted to promote the view that mediums, especially celebrity mediums are fakes and frauds. Then announces that he plans to spend the rest of his years fighting on the side of the rational thinkers. To join the ranks of magicians who moonlight as paranormal debunkers.

Would you buy it? Would you trust him?

[Nex]

Originally posted by thatguywhojuggles
Wouldn't it be a strange turn of events if Uri Geller suddenly announced that he as a magician was aware of how easily the public is fooled by simple magician's tricks. Indeed, announcing that he was a skeptic all along and the last xx number of years was just a secret experiment in promoting skepticism. That in fact, he let himself get caught because he wanted to promote the view that mediums, especially celebrity mediums are fakes and frauds. Then announces that he plans to spend the rest of his years fighting on the side of the rational thinkers. To join the ranks of magicians who moonlight as paranormal debunkers.

Would you buy it? Would you trust him?

That would be a strange turn indeed... and no, I wouldn't buy it as anything more than an aging fraud trying, after all these years, to save a little face after admitting the truth to himself.

Then again, my opinion does rely on him having a sense of guilt and some courage to face it. Silly me.

[Ashles]

Uri should be a HUGE asset to the skeptic movement.

He is an internationally recognised purveyor of 'paranormal' activities with whom most people are familiar.

And he has been thoroughly, repeatedly debunked.

There is uncontested video showing him actually bending stuff with his hands.

He has sued people who have called him a fraud and lost repeatedly.

Yet for some reason most people I speak to still seem to think he is genuine, or at least say "Well how does he do it then?".
I start to explain and their eyes instantly glaze over, because line of sight and bending with his hands are just too mundane as explanations.

If I said "He has a laser beam which an assistant aims at the spoon" they'd be more likely to believe me because it's more interesting.

How can someone so obviously performing by illusion and trickery still have so many people believe in him?

Hell, even Jambo doesn't believe in Uri any more. Are there still that many people even more gullible in the world (don't answer)?
(and no offense meant Jambo, we know you're only joking)

[Rolfe]

Originally posted by Ashles
If I said "He has a laser beam which an assistant aims at the spoon" they'd be more likely to believe me because it's more interesting.You're SO right. When I was a teenager and first saw Uri on TV, I pondered quite a lot about what he was doing. I did wonder if he had some sort of invisible substance on his hands that would soften metal. (OK I realise now there's no such substance.) I even wondered about the big ring he wears on one finger, and if he was slipping the end of the spoon under that to get enough leverage to bend it.

The revelation that it was even more blatant sleight of hand was really quite dull. It would have been so much more interesting if it had been a clever trick!

Rolfe.

[RamblingOnwards]

Originally posted by Rolfe
The revelation that it was even more blatant sleight of hand was really quite dull. It would have been so much more interesting if it had been a clever trick!

And easier on the ego. We're all okay with getting caught out by a clever trick, but who wants to admit being caught out by a stupid trick?

[patchbunny]

Originally posted by thatguywhojuggles
Wouldn't it be a strange turn of events if Uri Geller suddenly announced that he as a magician was aware of how easily the public is fooled by simple magician's tricks. Indeed, announcing that he was a skeptic all along and the last xx number of years was just a secret experiment in promoting skepticism. That in fact, he let himself get caught because he wanted to promote the view that mediums, especially celebrity mediums are fakes and frauds. Then announces that he plans to spend the rest of his years fighting on the side of the rational thinkers. To join the ranks of magicians who moonlight as paranormal debunkers.

Would you buy it? Would you trust him?
What, James Randi and Uri Geller, teamed up as the Dynamic Duo, battling John Edwards, Sylvia Browne, and the Penguin?

I just can't see it.

At one point, sure, I think Uri could have gone that route. But now, he has no credibility to even attempt such a move. If he were to switch gears I'd just assume the psychic biz wasn't paying as much anymore, and he was looking to score a few bucks with a new shtick. Perhaps a line of specials on FOX or the like.

Now if Penn & Teller and Randi were to endorse Geller's move, and admit the whole thing was a big put-up job, that's another story. That's when I start looking for pods.

--Patch

[Ashles]

Surely there must be a level at which somebody just becomes a figure of fun and I think Uri has long sinced passed that point judging by, amongst other things, this (http://www.uri-geller.com/daredev.htm) .

[ReFLeX]

Originally posted by Ashles
If I said "He has a laser beam which an assistant aims at the spoon" they'd be more likely to believe me because it's more interesting.

I know I would be.
Why is the comic book writer in the above post convinced by the key bending? Why couldn't he tell he was using his hands, even though he had his own hand on it?

[Ashles]

To sell more comics to impressionable kids.

[thatguywhojuggles]

Originally posted by Nex
That would be a strange turn indeed... and no, I wouldn't buy it as anything more than an aging fraud trying, after all these years, to save a little face after admitting the truth to himself.

Then again, my opinion does rely on him having a sense of guilt and some courage to face it. Silly me.

Would you offer him more respect than if he continued being a fraud for the rest of his life?

[Ashles]

The latest adventures of Uri:

[Ashles]

Part 2:

[DeVega]

Even worse - have you seen Mr Geller flogging his jewellery on QVC? I ALMOST bought something just from curiosity! (But restrained myself!)

DeVega
:D

[TheBoyPaj]

He has a nice line in large belt buckles. "Guaranteed extra leverage!"