# How did Uri Geller (psychic) divine pictures people had written?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [March 7, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260 "2013-03-07T03:25:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 12
### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/221 "2013-03-12T20:48:58Z")
Try to understand that Geller has repeatedly made false claims about his acomplishments and abilities, _and that he say that he is NOT a magician and does NOT do magic tricks_. He says this on-stage AND off-stage, to audiences AND friends. Since he denies being a magician, that leaves either psychic or liar.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/222 "2013-03-12T20:55:04Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> Many of the things claimed about Geller in this thread are wildly inaccurate bits of bullshit.
Not in regards to him claiming to help police solve crimes (which you think is a lowlife type person).
You said “that there is a difference between someone performing tricks on stage, and the mediums that Houdini exposed.”
See Czarcasm’s post above. You’ve been shown that he claims his performances aren’t magic tricks and that he’s not a magician. He’s even sold kits that include crystals and “teaches” how one can develop ESP and psychokinesis and that the kit can help one find “Wealth, Health and Well-Being by Dowsing and Divining.” He’s exactly like the mediums Houdini exposed.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/223 "2013-03-12T20:58:42Z")
Try to understand, it’s apiece of theratre. All tgheatre is a lie, of a sort. When an actor appears on the stage and claims to be Richard III or Hamlet, he is lying.
Uri Geller is no different from this. And Houdini would agree. Most sceptics do. The ones that don’t are a fringe group.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/224 "2013-03-12T20:59:50Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#):
>
> You’ve been shown that he claims his performances aren’t magic tricks
I’ve shown that they ARE magic tricks.
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### Author:  [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/225 "2013-03-12T21:03:59Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> Try to understand, it’s apiece of theratre. All tgheatre is a lie, of a sort. When an actor appears on the stage and claims to be Richard III or Hamlet, he is lying.
>
> Uri Geller is no different from this. And Houdini would agree. Most sceptics do. The ones that don’t are a fringe group.
Where’s the theatre in [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uri-Gellers-Crystal-Pendulum-Dowsing/dp/1842931946/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241604479&sr=8-3)?
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/226 "2013-03-12T21:05:35Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> I’ve shown that they ARE magic tricks.
We know they are. You know we know they are. The issue is his claims, which you also know and are attempting to ignore.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/227 "2013-03-12T21:06:59Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> Try to understand, it’s apiece of theratre. All tgheatre is a lie, of a sort. When an actor appears on the stage and claims to be Richard III or Hamlet, he is lying.
>
> Uri Geller is no different from this. And Houdini would agree. Most sceptics do. The ones that don’t are a fringe group.
Richard Burton never claimed to be Hamlet after the play was over.
edited to add: So far you’ve besmirched Houdini, professional magicians and the theatrical arts. I guess if you can’t repair the Geller’s reputation, this is the only recourse you’ve got.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/228 "2013-03-12T21:10:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Richard Burton never claimed to be Hamlet after the play was over.
Suddenly [this sketch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbS2WJdav6c)comes to mind.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/229 "2013-03-12T21:11:06Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#):
>
> You didn’t give the answer. Now I assume you’re saying that he’s _kind of_ a lowlife?
Maybe Geller’s a middle-lowlife.
Anyway, I can’t suss out what definitive claims, if any, Peter is making about Geller at this point, so trying to extract specifics is likely to prove fruitless.
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### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/230 "2013-03-12T21:16:49Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#):
>
> Where’s the theatre in [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uri-Gellers-Crystal-Pendulum-Dowsing/dp/1842931946/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241604479&sr=8-3)?
[The same theater as this load:](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=3271936&postcount=87)
> [@Does dowsing for water really work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-dowsing-for-water-really-work/162555/87):
>
> Okay, folks, my first post on this forum.
>
> ```
> First of all, I would like to suggest that dowsing does in fact work, and here is a plausible explaination of the mechanism. As a dowser walks around a terrain he gains subliminal clues from the local geography. At a particular point on his tour, his subconcious screams at him "Oi, mate. Water. Here. Now." With a little practice he can train himself, so when he gets that message his muscles give an involuntary twitch. Of course, that little twitch causes the rod to dip downwards suddenly.
>
> Cecil offers that as a proof that it doesn't work. I say it does work, and that's HOW it works.
>
> From my reading on dowsing I think that most dowsers would agree that they are causing the stick to move. It is the dowser, not the stick that detects the water.Some dowsers claim that they don't need a rod, that their body itself twiches when they pass over water. Dowsers used to be called 'twitchers' and the purpose of a divining rod is to magnify slight twitches in the muscles to a point where they are easily observable. You can say things like <<Any of four minor muscle movements will result in the stick taking a sudden lurch downward>> or <<The "force" you felt was ideomotor action>> all you want, this does not disprove dowsing. Based on my reading it would seem that most dowsers would agree with that, even if they don't know the scientific terms.
>
> Some dowsers might agree with the explaination I offered at the start. Others might say that water causes varience in magnetic fields, and THEY are sensitive to that. Others might say that it comes from psychic powers. I don't know if any of those are right, but I find the first the most plausible.
>
> As for Randi, I think he is the biggest fraud of all. His tests are certainly unfair, even rigged. The fact that he hasn't paid out $1million proves nothing. Randi works on the principle that if it can be explained then it isn't psychic, so no money, and if it can't be explained then it doesn't exist so no money. He will never pay out, whatever the proof. A dowser might have 20 years practice tracing underground rivers, but Randi won't test him on that, he must trace a pipe underneath a concrete floor instead, and do it on the first attempt. This is not the same thing at all. If he allows an outdoors test, then they muast do it blindfold, denying them the subliminal clues from the local geography. And if he detects any involuntary muscle movement then it doesn't count because the rod must move itself to win the prize. Randi has made a fortune trading on the gullability of skeptics.:wally
>
> ```
:rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/231 "2013-03-12T21:21:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> So far you’ve besmirched Houdini, professional magicians and the theatrical arts.
No, I’ve defended them against your ridiculous statements.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/232 "2013-03-12T21:56:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> The thing he is selling is entertainment. Claiming it as something real is just part of the show
I understand your point. You are saying he’s like a wrestler who never breaks kayfabe. Even if that were the extent of it, I wouldn’t approve because of the damage he does in “educating” the gullible in a way that makes them vulnerable to fraudsters. That is an irresponsible thing to do even if he isnt a fraud himself.
But on that subject what about when he’s selling magic crystals? You seem to be ignoring that issue.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/233 "2013-03-13T00:14:03Z")
> [@Princhester](#):
>
> But on that subject what about when he’s selling magic crystals? You seem to be ignoring that issue.
That surprises you?
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/234 "2013-03-13T00:44:46Z")
> [@Princhester](#):
>
> But on that subject what about when he’s selling magic crystals? You seem to be ignoring that issue.
That’s slightly naughty of him, but nothing to get up in arms about.
It’s about the same level as the horoscope in my daily newspaper. Something I don’t take seriously or even bother to look at, but it’s not worth protesting about.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/235 "2013-03-13T00:56:57Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> That’s slightly naughty of him, but nothing to get up in arms about.
>
> It’s about the same level as the horoscope in my daily newspaper. Something I don’t take seriously or even bother to look at, but it’s not worth protesting about.
Do you consider it snake oil?
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### Author:  [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/236 "2013-03-13T02:11:08Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> That’s slightly naughty of him, but nothing to get up in arms about.
Sorry, ethics is my field and what you call ‘slightly naughty’ is an attempt to diminish the gravity of the fraud. Which, to give you credit, is at least finally an admission from you that he did something wrong.
But the wrong he did wasn’t just an act for entertainment purposes (see stage magicians and pro wrestling) wherein the actors, when pressed, admit it’s just an act. Geller actively tried to convince people that he had psychic powers and he profited from that lie. You wouldn’t call a fake faith-healer televangelist just ‘slightly naughty’. Neither was Geller.
He was a fraud.
When pressed in lawsuits, he walked the fine line of only suing people for claiming his showmanship was bad and not for saying he was a fake. Well, that’s not an admission of saying his ‘psychic ability’ was just a show for entertainment. And if he’s finally acknowledging it was all a stage act… well, as much as he can be commended for coming clean, he needs to be damned for holding out so long. Just because he isn’t actively defrauding people right now doesn’t mean he once was a long-time fraud, which he was.
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/237 "2013-03-13T02:28:35Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#):
>
> Suddenly [this sketch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbS2WJdav6c)comes to mind.
Great clip. Had forgot about that one. Richard III’s: can never have too many.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/238 "2013-03-13T02:37:46Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> That’s slightly naughty of him, but nothing to get up in arms about.
We probably aren’t going to agree on how “naughty” it is. That is a subjective matter.
What the “magic crystals” thing does do however is throw light on your whole idea that the psychic thing is just Geller’s kayfabe; just amusing window dressing. If it were merely that, and understood by all to be that, Geller wouldn’t be able to sell “magic crystals” claimed to actually have paranormal properties, would he?
Seems to me he (a) intends to be and knows he is understood as actually having paranormal powers by some (b) knows he doesn’t (c) takes financial advantage of his deception. Sounds like fraud to me.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/239 "2013-03-13T02:59:32Z")
> [@moriah](#):
>
> Sorry, ethics is my field
Apology accepted
> [@](#):
>
> and what you call ‘slightly naughty’ is an attempt to diminish the gravity of the fraud.
Saying it’s so does not make it so.
Most magicians disagree with you, and they are in a position to know.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/240 "2013-03-13T03:01:54Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> Apology accepted
>
> Saying it’s so does not make it so.
>
> Most magicians disagree with you, and they are in a position to know.
Magicians don’t hold the right to define fraud for society.
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