Yes, Uri Geller does bend and break spoons, forks and keys by holding them in his hand and telling them to bend. He also makes broken watches run by instructing them to "work" and performs astonishing telepathic feats. Geller is the 29-year-old Israeli whose paranormal abilities have been acclaimed by many, questioned by some and studied by numerous scientists in this country.
In scientific laboratory tests, he has been able to pick up telepathic messages from other rooms or from miles away, bend or break metal objects without touching them and cause ashtrays across the room to move. "I was sitting in a restaurant having dinner and the forks on one of the other tables started to bend," he.sald in an interview. "That really blew my mind."
He said that he has no idea of the source of his unusual powers. "I don't know what to believe," he said. "But, I am sure that if I tried to tell colors or names or anything else when everyone in the audience was against me, I couldn't do it. I have never had to stand there and try to do that."
He does have an idea that his power over metal objects comes from some sort of physical energy rather than mental power. Scientists involved in psychic research accept extrasensory perception as a reality. They can recount studies showing evidence of clairvoyance, precognition and telepathy.
Some have investigated the extraordinary energy used by Geller to change inanimate objects (psychokinesis) and the special energy given to those who demonstrate the benign gift of healing. Many believe that investigations have lent credibility to the belief in entities beyond this sphere and to the theory of reincarnation.
Most scientists agree that strong ESP ability is as rare as the gift of a great operatic voice and that none who possess it have it to the same degree at all times or can tap It at will. Some think that everyone has it to some extent. They all caution that, along with serious students and the truly gifted, there also are many eccentrics and charlatans.
"Magicians can use trickery to reproduce many of the things I do, Geller said, "I am not a magician. I don't know the tricks they use, I just have these powers." . . .
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