# More utter stupidity from the NY Times (Fellating Uri Geller)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [July 9, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797 "2023-07-09T03:35:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/1 "2023-07-09T03:35:09Z")
This just crossed my news feed.
> **[The End of the Magic World’s 50-Year Grudge](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/08/business/uri-geller-magic-deep-fakes.html)**
>
> In 1973, Uri Geller claimed to bend metal with his mind on live television. Skeptics couldn’t beat him. Now they’ve joined him.
What the heck is going on here? Does this guy have any critical reasoning skills at all?
No I really don’t think there is an end to any “grudge.” Uri Geller is a charlatan, a con man, a thief. He always was, he still is.
On the other hand, the NY Times is so lacking in shame as to give a platform to David Brooks, so I shouldn’t expect any better.
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### Author:  [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/2 "2023-07-09T03:55:20Z")
James Randi is rolling in his grave.
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### Author:  [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/3 "2023-07-09T04:02:34Z")
Geller is yet another example of the fact that we get exactly what we deserve.
It doesn’t matter how many times James Randi (or numerous others) perform the same tricks, expose faith healers or demonstrate how tent evangelists use hidden earphones. As Randi himself often said, people are just determined to lose their money. That Geller has made a successful career capitalizing on this comes as a disappointment, but not a surprise.
The article mostly summarizes that career, but should be rightly criticized for not holding him accountable as a harmful fraud. The fact that he hired himself out to companies to find natural resources should certainly make him liable to the charge of being a scumbag, if not actual malfeasance. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together realizes this, even without seeing that sorry segment on the Tonight Show. But the fact is, lots of people who saw that didn’t care, much in the way people keep sending money to Peter Popov despite what’s known about him.
Geller is certainly a lowlife, but in the grand scheme he’s symptom, not a cause.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/4 "2023-07-09T04:13:31Z")
The comments to the article help restore my faith in humanity. The essay itself is unfathomable.
Not sure if the OP’s link is a paywall or not, but [here’s a gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/08/business/uri-geller-magic-deep-fakes.html?unlocked_article_code=x7_iocxpcqFdgGY2LnbsjujmWvbwatjsZh3ge5uckAwL4ulzCAg3J7Xz3dV9ReEbTa4dc0Cc5g6KDsAzh6fbaBwVxMObGO8fGIG1OlAn271DHBwoxtCVqrpovOnLgg49LUe6QjyIocY8RacT8r-SvlRpED9sX_z44Bf6gaLk2bCAZ1VH3QHBUcGM6-3_qkntBGqbrIXNBD03y3e6CRnsoVX8DJILpshDeobLo3Ww6OONQ4G09jfkRGyAV3gZtqio0iatnyLdFCZKaRNW1UfMZqJPUAcmNtyrgVFaXRIvivGm7xxbi6dnTxNps4ahox9JIfg1bfwzKYbqlq0FNG1dG0cjBJcrxQ&smid=url-share) just in case.
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### Author:  [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/5 "2023-07-09T04:14:15Z")
I scanned the article and it was ridiculous. The description of Geller’s appearance on The Tonight Show is laughable; it makes it seem as if Geller just decided on a whim not to use his powers that night. No, he didn’t use them because Johnny Carson consulted with James Randi beforehand; Randi gave him the simple advice to provide the spoons for Geller to bend, and to make damn sure that Geller and none of his entourage and handlers got anywhere near them prior to the taping. Geller couldn’t set up his party trick, so of course he couldn’t do it!
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### Author:  [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/6 "2023-07-09T04:32:44Z")
> [@needscoffee](#):
>
> The essay itself is unfathomable.
That’s a good way to put it. I couldn’t figure out what the author was trying to say. He seemed to be trying to have it both ways, while still buying into everything that Geller said.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/7 "2023-07-09T04:43:02Z")
He seems to have a massive crush on the guy. I went into the essay thinking, “Oh, it can’t actually be _that_ bad,” but it really was.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/8 "2023-07-09T05:10:14Z")
That was less an essay, and more an application form to become Geller’s press secretary.
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/9 "2023-07-09T05:14:11Z")
Dang. I thought that conman had died. Wishful thinking?
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/10 "2023-07-09T05:39:09Z")
The article reflects the long time opinions of all the magicians who never came close to the success of Geller. They all would have done the same as he did if they thought of it first.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/11 "2023-07-09T05:47:24Z")
That is absolute bullshit. There is an uncountable number of professional illusionists that are much more successful than he could possibly be. He is a third rate magician at best, and if it weren’t for gullible idiots and those (like the author) who want to be in on the con he would have disappeared into obscurity decades ago. Real artists constantly hone their craft to entertain others.
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/12 "2023-07-09T05:58:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> The article reflects the long time opinions of all the magicians who never came close to the success of Geller. They all would have done the same as he did if they thought of it first.
While this is The BBQ Pit, I, for one, would greatly appreciate some semblance of reputable substantiation for that load.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/13 "2023-07-09T06:02:47Z")
Does this mean that most people that get pissed off at carjackers are just jealous that they aren’t good at it?
And what does this say about people that oppose sexual assault?
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/14 "2023-07-09T07:13:34Z")
Your link to the NYT didn’t work, so I searched and found [this (supposed) gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/08/business/uri-geller-magic-deep-fakes.html?unlocked_article_code=W80fiBwT3ws887GO9BNsS8IrOdugZieukcggcq5xmSfFZm7tOEr5RTy7EM8UrJ0F6Zc3jTWxYhisP0r947UnnvdotfU20uGlWUWAtS4x2xO6smyDx1KprBaJheWYJu9WqMx3Z34WRsOMZoVYFSwKyz-4YVsIUJSZKKFgs5Y0Fkhm7fGMQo--GW8ddeLqKgXysYPJapY9j-w5MLvhtdBuwgWYd9Bz5VFIKR6tvGUEE-LvXmK-1ZkaPjAGA-CmpIsiIP1dOuejdWJ6XwOGhYcj_gMaIbmlowrbryTfD3gC-vwWPQ2SpPpY4hXrnGvArVB5c8GbGbfAPwV-tSJNeVCphdo0uho4RBo&smid=url-share).
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/15 "2023-07-09T07:20:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> That is absolute bullshit. There is an uncountable number of professional illusionists that are much more successful than he could possibly be. He is a third rate magician at best, and if it weren’t for gullible idiots and those (like the author) who want to be in on the con he would have disappeared into obscurity decades ago. Real artists constantly hone their craft to entertain others.
This might be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said on the board. Probably not, but it’s in the running. I’m positive you know that the vast, vast majority of professional magicians have never had a chance for the success Uri Geller has enjoyed. And he is absolutely not a 3rd rate magician, he’s definitely 2nd rate.
> [@Monty](#):
>
> While this is The BBQ Pit, I, for one, would greatly appreciate some semblance of reputable substantiation for that load.
First of all, learn to read for comprehension and go back to the OP. Or is the NY Times not reputable enough for your ignorant ass. Then look at this post [correcting my own misimpressions from a professional magician member of the Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/49):
> [@How did Uri Geller (psychic) divine pictures people had written?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/49):
>
> It may be the case that _you_ have never heard of a professional magician calling Uri anything but a fraud, but how large is your data set? I am very confident I know more professional magicians than you do, and have known them for longer, and mix and mingle with them on a more regular basis. The number who have anything bad or unkind to say about Uri is very small They are in a tiny minority. Most are either neutral towards him or like him very much. I’ve been friends with Uri for years, and I think he’s a really nice guy.
>
> Uri has been welcomed to several major magic conventions over the years, most recently the ‘Genii’ anniversary convention last year, where he was interviewed for two hours about his life and work and won a standing ovation. I wasn’t at that particular event, but I was at the Macmillian International convention in 2008 when he was given a prestigious award and spent hours afterwards with hundreds of magicians who wanted to shake his hand, have their photo taken with him and get his autograph. He was enormously popular, and it was rather like watching a rock star sign autographs for a couple of hours for enthusiastic fans!
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/16 "2023-07-09T07:23:44Z")
Oh great. You didn’t even bother to fail to comprehend what you were reading before posting your bloviating nonsense.
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/17 "2023-07-09T08:27:57Z")
I completely understood your assertion.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/18 "2023-07-09T08:37:31Z")
You should read the _rest_ of that thread-It is quite enlightening.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/19 "2023-07-09T08:48:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> Then look at this post [correcting my own misimpressions from a professional magician member of the Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/49):
Dude. You’re leaving out your own reply to him.
> [@How did Uri Geller (psychic) divine pictures people had written?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-uri-geller-psychic-divine-pictures-people-had-written/652260/95):
>
> You could easily know more professional magicians than I do, but I wasn’t referring simply to the few I know personally, but also those that have written and spoken publicly on this subject. Geller may have many fans within the profession, and he may be a very nice person, but he still a fraud in my book.
---
### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [July 9, 2023, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-utter-stupidity-from-the-ny-times-fellating-uri-geller/986797/20 "2023-07-09T09:02:05Z")
As for the article itself: I’ve seen this before. It’s basically the same as the one on the Theranos lady. The NYT has a habit of these weirdly controversial articles.
It literally tries to treat James Randi as a fool near the end. It’s trying to piss people off. At least with the Theranos piece, it felt more like they got someone who was truly hoodwinked and just used her.
I can’t find it right now, but I read an article once about how the NYT will do some trolling, like when it claimed that the best Ramen was with American cheese on top, or claimed a bunch of obviously fake trends. It sometimes does these “opinion” pieces for the controversy.
That said, this one also reminds me of that [piece on Dan Schneider](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/arts/dan-schneider-nickelodeon.html)\*. It was obviously an advertisement for his new show he was pitching. The Geller piece has a bit that seems like it’s promoting a new book about the man.
> Mr. Geller ultimately emerged the victor in this war, and proof of his triumph is now on display in the museum: a coffee-table book titled “Bend It Like Geller,” which was written by the Australian magician Ben Harris and published in May.
\*Sorry, no gift link. I don’t have a subscription. I read it originally from a link elsewhere.
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