The video shown here is from 2007, but it's been making the rounds again. It shows a skateboarder attempting what I assume is a moderately difficult move, and failing a few times before finally suceeding. Uri Geller is on scene, and it's hard to tell if he's helping the lad or merely getting in the way.
From this clip, we've learned that Geller believes he has a magic Sharpie, the ability to lubricate wheels, and the power to remove negative influences from concrete. Apparently, these powers aren't working all that well, because it takes him several tries.
Watch the skater in the clip... especially his eyes. What are they saying? It looks to me like they're saying "Who is this clown, and how can I get rid of him?" He seems relieved when Geller finally walks away with another "success" under his belt.
I don't think the kid actually believed that Uri helped, but consider if he did... all his future successes are now Geller's. If we're to believe Geller, the skater was unable to complete his mission without Geller's "help," and at the end, Geller declared him a "champion." Should this young skater go pro and make a career of it... Geller can take credit. Pathetic.
If you were to edit this clip and remove Geller entirely, you'd see a boy applying persistence, tenacity, and much more skill than I'd ever manage to finally accomplish his goal. It's a shame he had to have the experience ruined by a "mystifier."
He could probably help Jamaica win every medical in the Olympics but instead he does this. Such a tragic waste.
I suspect the youth is more embarrassed at 'letting Yuri down', but its all guessing. Was anyone wondering what his next one would be - his signature on the youths forehead maybe?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by TDjazz,
November 01, 2009
How do you say " What a tool!" in Hebrew?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +3
... written by BartiDdu,
November 01, 2009
There's nothing 'mystical' about visualisation of success. It's a useful technique in common usage in athletes, performers and also in success education. Geller is pathetic. It is remarkable that people keep taking him seriously!
BDd
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +3
... written by Gnardude,
November 01, 2009
As a skating skeptic I can tell you that this is a very basic move, a front side grind. This move was invented in the 70s, and it was performed in empty swimming pools which is much harder.
Also Uri keeps telling him to jump higher but he never leaves the ground.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
... written by Xiphos,
November 01, 2009
The skater eyes are saying "Duuude got any Kush?"
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by Willy K,
November 01, 2009
I watched a few of Michael Levy's other videos on YouTube. Some of them a pretty good. He obviously likes to make videos of local people performing with a special interest in skateboarding. I detect no interest in woo.
As Jeff suggested, I watched the face of the skateboarder when he was near Uri. I noticed him grinning to someone off camera. I would speculate that the video maker "used" Geller's love of self promotion to, what else, promote his own special brand of woo.
I wonder who the woman was? Geller's bodyguard?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by Muckey Spleen,
November 01, 2009
TD, the phrase "what a tool" is EXACTLY what I planned to post. I suppose Geller would want to take credit for the apparent synchronicity of our reactions. Seriously, WHAT A TOOL.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
Comical written by SonOfScience,
November 01, 2009
That's funny. You're right, Jeff; the kid does look relieved when Geller leaves. Ha.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -1
... written by mperkic23,
November 01, 2009
look at this he is using his supporters to make him look good ,at first it seems like it is just for fun but if you think about it more deeply you come to a conclusion that a lot of people who get this video will actually believe this and spread the word about his "amazing powers"
web page link: http://site.uri-geller.com/uri_geller_knows_you
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by bcbwilla,
November 01, 2009
I 2nd what 'Gnardude' said. I'm also a skating skeptic (been at it for about 11 years). He was coming relatively close each attempt, so it's no surprise he made it in only a few tries. That was definitely the result of talent and persistence.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by Kuroyume,
November 01, 2009
Not even being a skater dude, the reality here is easily applicable to any skill: practice, practice, practice. If I were trying to learn a new song or technique on guitar and Uri Geller showed up to 'assist' with his 'powers', I'd call the police. I'll think that Uri has powers when he shows up, I get on a skateboard, and do professional level tricks on the first try (having never skateboarded before). How do you say "F*** off!" in Hebrew?
Uri Geller gets far too much real estate on this forum.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
@pxatkins written by Kuroyume,
November 03, 2009
Remember that Uri sort of launched Randi's skeptical career having his own dashed on The Tonight Show.
One thing to be said about these scam artists: they are persistent and tolerant to any form of injection of reason.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by hopfen,
November 03, 2009
Geller's shtick here is simply demonstrating the placebo effect. If he can get the subject to believe that he (Geller) has the power to influence the outcome, then there is a high likelihood of success.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Not even a placebo written by ateizam,
November 03, 2009
You can call it a placebo, yes, but the guy would succeed in this trick even without Uri. It's just a guy's effort, and learning from previous failures. No magic, no higher power, but just a pure effort.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by Bill Thompson,
November 05, 2009
By the way, it was Uri who introduced Michael Jackson to that british reporter who was supposed to make a documentary that made him have a come-back
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please
register if you do not have an account yet.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
I'll think that Uri has powers when he shows up, I get on a skateboard, and do professional level tricks on the first try (having never skateboarded before). How do you say "F*** off!" in Hebrew?
I suspect the youth is more embarrassed at 'letting Yuri down', but its all guessing. Was anyone wondering what his next one would be - his signature on the youths forehead maybe?