Uri Geller certainly faked many of his effects. I think he did not fake at least some of the spoon bending.
To quote myself (ye Gods!):
“Metallurgic analysis of bent cutlery revealed distinct structural differences between the ones bent by psychic means and cheating conventional means. Many other people (thousands) also bent cutlery in spoon-bending parties. The metallurgical differences between the psychic and conventional cutlery remained consistent. The metallurgical changes from a psychic spoon could not be replicated through mechanical means. (Hasted, John. “The Metal Benders.” London, Routledge & Kegan Paul ltd, 1981.)”
When Scepticism Goes Belly Up | Page 2 | The Forteana Forums
So, to claim that Mr. Geller is a fraud based on the belief that metal-bending by unorthodox means is impossible, is not valid.
To claim that he is a fraud because he knowingly lied to the public about his abilities has more credence, although I vaguely think he was or is somewhat delusional about his abilities.
To claim that he is a fraud because his effects can be replicated by orthodox magician tricks is not valid.
To claim that he cheated all the time because he cheated some times is not provable. (By analogy, if anyone has lied at least once, we can assume that person lies every time. Hmmm. That is everyone!)
The truth about him will be unknowable. I think he had some actual psychic abilities, but relied on conventional magic tricks for almost all of his performances. If one thinks that psychic abilities do not exist, then of course my opinion will seem ridiculous. Those pesky, unspoken assumptions which cause us all such problems.... The bigger fraud, to my mind, was
James Randi. Talk about conman!
