Uri Geller

Uri Geller (born December 20, 1946) is an Israeli-British entertainer, author, and self-proclaimed psychic known for his claims of paranormal abilities, including spoon bending, telekinesis, clairvoyance, and the ability to dematerialize and rematerialize objects. Geller has achieved international fame and notoriety for his performances and alleged psychic feats, becoming a polarizing figure in the worlds of magic, science, and paranormal research. Dr. Andrija Puharich and Uri both attributed these abilities to extraterrestrial contact.

For a fascinating personal take on his years of work with Uri, see Andrija Puharich's lecture here.

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Early Life and Background

• Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, to Hungarian-Jewish parents.
• Geller claimed to have developed psychic abilities at the age of five after witnessing strange phenomena, such as a spoon bending in his hand without physical force.
• He served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a paratrooper and was wounded in the Six-Day War (1967).

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Rise to Fame

• In the 1970s, Geller rose to prominence through his public demonstrations of alleged psychic abilities.
• His signature acts included:
  • Spoon Bending: Manipulating metal objects with his mind.
  • Telepathy: Claiming to read minds or influence thoughts.
  • Psychic Drawing: Reproducing hidden or remote images through telepathic means.
• Geller’s televised performances captivated audiences worldwide and earned him both fame and skepticism.

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Scientific Investigations

1. Experiments with Andrija Puharich

• Geller collaborated with Dr. Andrija Puharich, a physician and parapsychologist, who introduced him to Western audiences.
• Puharich conducted experiments to test Geller’s psychic abilities and speculated that Geller might have extraterrestrial connections, claiming Geller’s powers were linked to a group of entities called “The Nine.”

2. Stanford Research Institute (SRI)

• Geller participated in experiments at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the early 1970s.
• Researchers such as Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff studied Geller’s purported abilities under controlled conditions.
• SRI published findings suggesting Geller demonstrated remote viewing and other psychic phenomena, though the results remain controversial and criticized for lack of rigorous controls.

3. Criticism from the Scientific Community

• Many scientists and skeptics, including James Randi, accused Geller of using stage magic techniques to simulate psychic phenomena.
• Randi’s 1975 book, The Truth About Uri Geller, detailed methods allegedly used by Geller to deceive audiences and researchers.

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Key Claims and Abilities

1. Metal Bending

• Geller claims to bend spoons, keys, and other metal objects through mental focus and subtle physical manipulation.
• Critics argue that sleight of hand and misdirection account for these feats.

2. Telepathy

• Geller often claimed to read thoughts or transmit mental images, both in controlled experiments and public demonstrations.
• Skeptics attribute his successes to cold reading and psychological suggestion.

3. Influence on Technology

• Geller has claimed to stop or manipulate the functioning of mechanical devices such as clocks and watches, often in televised events.

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