Michael Shermer on Spoonbending

[@jesseherbert2585]

I teach statistics at the college level, and have tried this with a group at a regular Christmas Eve party with multiple aged guests present. Guess what happened? Nothing interesting, AT FIRST. However, as folks were leaving the porch heading back into the house assuming the "show" was over, a young woman still cradling her fork in upturned, WIDE OPEN palms (wrists together, fingers spread far apart like angel wings--she in fact seemed almost hesitant to keep touching the fork, as if it might be electrified) was gently laughing & sinking to her knees, quietly saying "it's bending!" in awe and wonder...I and perhaps one other watched as it sank into a distinct bend before our attentive eyes, and when she showed her very skeptical & sharp mother, the woman immediately thought it was remarkable. You could see it in the bend itself. There is no way she should have accidentally done that with the orientation of her hands, from my perspective at least. Just sharing this. Still, find out for yourselves people! This is about first hand experience, combined with an open mind AND a willingness to release a sort of modern arrogance that assumes just because science has done so much for us, it is the only valid way of getting things done. It is not, NOR need it be cast aside if things like this ARE possible. As we collectively mature beyond black and white (or all-or-nothing) thinking, perhaps even folks like me will join the "able to also" side of the equation. I look forward to that moment, especially because my research into this has indicated that once able to bend metals in this fashion, one enjoys lower rates of becoming ill (for example). That is still at the anecdotal (albeit commonly reported) level, for now anyway... Till then I will continue with peer reviewed tactics such as intermittent fasting, grounding/earthing, adequate sleep/exercise, taking time to relax, breath and meditate & utilize flotation therapy as funds permit (which has also been glowing in peer reviewed literature of late). Plus used by top super bowl teams (Google it for yourself if you are so inclined, most noble inter-networked wanderer!). And if you read this far, I also spoke about this in a physics class I taught. The next day, a student claimed to have achieved success on his own, whereupon another nearby student challenged him to do it right then with a spoon he had. The first student agreed to try, and did it after some concentration as we all watched. He appeared to twirl it easily before our eyes, as if it was no longer made of metal. I.e. his fingers did not display much depression where he held the utensil, something much less the case when I had a strong individual do the same thing with a similar shank thickness spoon. This student (who other instructors and students knew as a kind and serious individual who was unlikely to pull pranks) later paid me a visit after graduation and gifted me with a finely/artistically twirled spoon saying his mother was not happy due to much of her silverware being "altered". A welding friend with a keen eye for heated metals confirmed what they say in this video: no evidence of bulk heating. Seems to also align with what Jack Houck found himself: grain boundaries appeared more to be where the energies are focused, rather than throughout the crystal lattice. Jack, like myself, was a materials scientist (though he worked for Boeing, I for a national lab) prior to becoming an educator (of sorts), and has looked into this more than some might realize. Bottom line: science is all about replication and consideration of alternatives. I respect what Michael Shermer has presented. His idea about adrenaline is a necessary consideration worthy of postulating and considering. As more explore this phenomenon, I simply predict that it will not be settled upon as a collectively concluded "most likely explanation", based on my own observations, to date...

[@Samuel-t9m]

Thank you so much for sharing this info! Mind if I ask if you managed to move towards doing these things yourself?

[@St.Garoosh]

Forget bending spoons, learn to write in paragraphs..

[@colettedubois7594]

@@St.Garoosh you were having difficulty with the adpositions then? personally it reads much better this way than chopping things up with annoying commas.

[@colettedubois7594]

If I practice maybe it will lead to being able to travel out of body. It's worth a try and I'll keep you posted.

[@CarolAnnNapolitano]

I bent a big spoon one time, the ice cream was to hard.

[@macc240038]

I find this to be the case often. People who when presented with clear cut indisputable facts who stubbornly insist that there's a mystical reason that they believe is responsible. I quote P.T. Barnum. There's a sucker born every minute. And in the twenty first century that should be changed to every second.

[@piggyfish2829]

Jack Houck doesn't have an agenda at all. He doesn't want to make any money or anything from offering these sessions. He simply wants everyone to be able to bend spoons with their minds, because he is a benevolent man and he knows it will make the world a better place.

[@sharms888]

"They do bend pretty easily" lady that sums up everything !!!!

[@ben528ify]

Everyone who still believes in psychokinesis, please raise my hand.

[@rikcoach1]

Lol

[@wanketta]

i've done this on a very large, heavy spoon, and it scared the hell out of me. anyone who has a negative comment here has not tried it, and if so, they have not put in enough effort. Just don't try it on something of value.

[@truthseeker2275]

We are conditioned not to break our stuff, so when we first try to bend a perfectly good utencil there is a psychological barrier that makes it seem hard, once we get social validation in a group like that it seems a lot easier.

[@mrjimmbo]

Uri Geller was asked several times to bend the spoon without touching it live on TV. He refused ... wonder why?

[@gyanwithgyanibaba2594]

Hyyy

[@johnnywick1110]

damn, 16 years old comment...

[@deethebee80]

Uri bent one of my spoons 🥄 2 foot from my face and it was 100000 % real !

[@arashnonexistent9033]

@@johnnywick1110 hi

[@richardgibson1872]

@@deethebee80 no it's not. stop with your delusions.

[@scaven9er]

Actually, proper scientific procedure would suggest questioning it, being sceptical, and then to test it, not automatically disbelieve. Science is not closed-minded, it's the opposite. If you go into a venture with a closed mind, you will only look for what you want to find. If Confucius didn't say that, he should have done :)

[@juniorhacksaw4783]

Command the object top bend? What happens if the object doesn't understand English?

[@AnnaëlleD]

In fact, that's not the words you will use that matters. It's the intention. When you speak you want to communicate a message that ever exists in your consciousness. Speaking is just a mean to communicate. There are other means. When doing PK, you just send the intent without giving it the form of a aerial vibration a sound. Do you understand? That's how telepathy works too. Pure direct communication.

[@patriciocruzat-netservbras8355]

It is the same phenom that happens with "Dr." Emoto's water. It understands any written or spoken language! HAHAHA!

[@shadowolf3998]

Its the intent not the words, what the heck... It can be done without speaking the words but they just had a party so why not :P

[@AnnaëlleD]

@ Sorry, I'm not interested in being more popular than Jesus. BTW, what do you want me to prove?

[@handsomeheart2000]

It's not about English, German or Spanish, it's a quantum energy technique where the words frequency combined with its thought by people make it possible

[@Mojofilter17]

How exactly could one show proof that Bill wanted no photos taken?

[@Ken.-]

I love how all these children learn about malleability here.

[@JimWatsonTheframingMagician]

The metallurgist showed a spoon bent at the weakest part. Where's the explanation for your bending it at the bowl? Did you ask him how much pressure that would take?

[@MCSubliminalSol]

Imagine walking into a room with a man commanding people to yell at their utensils

[@Mojofilter17]

What is the honesty challenge?

[@Landshark23]

And who would be assigned the task of judging this contest?

[@awesome220]

Please post a video of it, then.

[@Ken.-]

I have WAY too many straight spoon and forks. Is there any way I can pay some guy to bend them all for me? With just the power of his mind? Or hand...whichever works fastest. Why can't this guy regrow his hair with his thoughts?

[@lazerbud]

I still can't see any evidence of Geller being revealed

[@webbxpert]

as you apply pressure the metal heats up (without bending), once it warms up it becomes pliable. Try bending a spoon back and forth until it snaps, as soon as it breaks (carefully) touch the tip of where the metal yielded.

[@scottbing8201]

Wrong

[@corymccracken327]

Whats supposed to be the point of yelling “bend”? The forks can understand english?

[@nick_steele9790]

Some do, but most speak Italian I think

[@MCSubliminalSol]

You remember that shitty after-school special, where the kid never really needed his "magic trousers" to hit that home run? This is the same thing.

[@AnnaëlleD]

It's very comfortable to think PK and TK are unreal, isn't it? What about the power you would get if you realize that you can control your life, not being forced to follow "science", being able to heal yourself and your family without pharmaceutical products? What about the responsibility it gives to you to have this power? But, you're right. If you are not ready, then still be a very strong skeptic.

[@colettedubois7594]

@StGaroosh, like I said... once mastered, perhaps out of body travel would be easier

[@shademcshade6935]

Am I getting this right, he is saying that he was able to bend the thick spoon at the party, but could not duplicate the results on his own with his sheer force. It didn't show that they were bent by heat which seems to suggest somehow the metal was able to fatigue and be bent. The fact it wasn't heat seems obvious as people would burn their hands with the heat necessary, so it is either some superstrength through adrenaline or unknown metal fatiguing. He believes it is adrenaline, but has not proved it. but completely discounts the idea of something unknown. If someone has actually done this, they would understand how the metal does become soft and pliable in their hands. I was a skeptical until experiencing this. I'm not surprised he didn't feel this though. The fact is the skeptic is the same as the zealot, they only see what they want.

[@AtheistRex]

Yea, because people can bend spoons with their mind, right.

[@shademcshade6935]

The mind is way more powerful than we realize. This is just one small aspect. Remote viewing and other avenues are glimpses of the potential. The mind is like a parachute, it must be open to take you to new places.

[@AtheistRex]

Shade McShade Any evidence for those assumptions?

[@shademcshade6935]

Yes, I've successfully remote viewed, I took a course and had some incredible success. It actually shocked me how it unfolded. Of course I can't give you anything but my direct experience. You don't know me so I wouldn't expect to change your opinion.

[@AtheistRex]

Shade McShade Uh-huh. Of course you can't provide evidence. Very convenient. Sounds like bullshit.

[@ishmaeldaro]

Didn't Penn and Teller do a segment on this exact guy?

[@Goproflying]

I'm not at all strong, but have still managed to bend a solid steel wheel brace about 30 degress while attempting to remove wheel nuts from my car. Next trick is a spoon, I might need some practice.

[@Mojofilter17]

Post hoc?

[@okocro627]

The spoon bending was explained approx. 50 years ago, after the Israeli magician Uri Geller (see Wikipedia) was performing that trick. It works when you soak the spoon with the mercury, and then rubbing with the fingers the soaked area the metal becomes so called "amalgam", which is easy to bend. I am positive that all the spoons and forks were provided by the magician. If the visitor would bring his own spoon the magician definitively wouldn't be able to bend it, of course making sure that he doesn't have a traces of mercury on his fingers!

[@scottbing8201]

Your wrong. Open mind. The world depends on it.

[@insanetester1015]

@@scottbing8201 Without a brain everything is possible. Even the most obvious junk.

[@colettedubois7594]

@@scottbing8201 well we're still waiting lol

[@irondude71]

Sometimes I bend my spoons when the ice cream is too soft.

[@xXMadTXx]

They should use a thermal camera.

[@tsferg]

"I am also a published writer I don't need you to correct mu writing." Wow....... that must be some book.

[@Landshark23]

And what would this "honesty challenge" involve?

[@tsferg]

Why did he reject you? Is it because you wouldnt agree to 100% accuracy? Or because you wouldnt agree to a double blind test?

[@tsferg]

well did I get 2 out of 3?

[@chrishall7915]

If you had PK powers then why would you use them doing something as pointless as bending cutlery?

[@WayaWolf]

H A R lol

[@scottbing8201]

To test it. Eye roll....

[@vladabas]

If its not the brute force they are using,why dont they bend 2 inch steel rod?

[@Gymnopedie55]

If you are Bill Perron then you responded to the June 9, 2006 SWIFT. I would love an explanation than of what seems like a complete refusal to do a double-blind test and a refusal to take photographs during the test. Are you simply saying Randi made up your response? You wrote that Randi "should be ashamed" for imposing what seems to any reasonable person adequate controls.

[@whatying]

workers at the recycle are thinking: what the fuck are those people eating

[@ghostgate82]

@inertialcapacity So....did it hurt?

[@roy.v]

but will it blend?

[@tsferg]

And the search I did for Randi on the website you mentioned just brought up articles that some guy who claimed his dog had ESP, and Randi wouldnt acknowledge him. Is there something specific you wanted me to find to narrow it down?

[@MrMusiclover558]

The awkward moment when I used to bend spoons all the time when I was like 5 and it was easy

[@AnnaëlleD]

Even if PK is real, 6:18 « there will always be believers looking for another explanation. » Sorry, but this video tends to prove that PK is real. Skeptics become stupid when they absolutely want NOT to change their point of view just because they have decided not to believe in anything else that "science" tell them to believe in. That's sad (for them).

[@scottbing8201]

Yes, very sad. It's a major downfall of humanity. Love out

[@insanetester1015]

Change my point of view that humans are ignorant, dishonest and fall for the simplest of tricks?

[@insanetester1015]

@@scottbing8201 The major downfall of humanity is the tolerance of superstitious, ignorant, and coward humans.

[@newy219]

what about criss angel? he makes spoons bend without touching them

[@Mojofilter17]

And how could Randi show evidence of this? And why is it Randi's responsibility to show evidence?

[@tsferg]

"Those who wish to believe in astrology should realize that there is no scientific foundation for its tenets." A Statement by 186 Leading Scientists, signed by 186 leading scientists, including 18 Nobel Prizewinners.

[@Killjeser]

People like these are sooo entertainiing!

[@Mojofilter17]

Why won't you answer my question? How could Randi show evidence of this? And why doesn't Bill provide evidence? If there is no evidence on both sides then it is just one person's word against another.

[@kev3d]

Well said. I often ask what is more powerful; Believing in a "power" that at best can only yield anecdotal evidence for its existence (If true, only useful for ruining cutlery) OR that we can develope tiny objects that fit in your pocket that you can use to talk to people across the globe? Excelsior Spoonbenders, I have a bridge I can sell you cheap.

[@tsferg]

I can get 60 % or more with my horoscopes. Thats the thing...the way you guys all word your horoscoped, they apply to everyone! I think Landshark 23 is groggy in the morning, and gets cranky when he doesnt eat enough through out the day and hats being stuck in the rain. Landshark23, did i get 2 out of 3 (66%)?

[@Rico-Suave_]

Watched all of it

[@ChannelMath]

anyone who lifts weights can see what's happening: metal gets warmed up and gets softer, while muscles get warmed up and get stronger.

[@awesome220]

Where's your proof?

[@tsferg]

What do you have against Micheal Shermer? Its a TV show, not a scientific study.

[@TomFynn]

What? I thought there was no spoon?

[@tsferg]

Hey Bill Perron (skepticslayer). Why dont you use your dell and the stars to predict my personality traits? Send the results to my personal page.Maybe you can wow me in to believing. I did it perfect to Landshark. How well will you do?

[@JediPoncho]

Brilliant!

[@freighttrain777]

That maybe, but the things I've seen with my own lying eyes and experienced in my soul can never be replaced by any "skeptic" out there, as they are simply trying to hide behind the fact that they're "smart" enough to fall for these type of things. Logic is not the only way of evolution it is simply a portion of it.

[@freighttrain777]

umm.. not to you maybe, but it's there! I've seen it in action and has personally experienced the effect of it!

[@Landshark23]

What are you talking about?

[@infinit888]

"Especially since the room wasn't on fire, in the middle of an earthquake, or about to explode" [Sarcasm]Yes, especially since we all know that those are the only reasons for adrenaline secretion.[/Sarcasm]

[@Shermanbay]

Skepticslayer1234: is that you, Peter Morris?

[@BillDaCatt]

Stainless steel is fairly soft compared to other steel alloys, but it is easily 'work hardened'. This is why it's easier to make a bend than it is to undo a bend. It's also the reason that drilling stainless steel can be quite difficult.

[@mrmontoya7]

all these spoons are making me hungry time for breakfast

[@danumm555]

Nobody mentions metal fatigue... if you keep putting forced on a metal object, it will get easier and easier to bend. It is a major hazard with aircraft. Why people find the least likely explanation the most exciting and want to eject science, is strange. The notorious Yuri Heller who claimed to be able to bend cutlery and move objects with the power of his mind back in the 70s, was debunked decades ago by skeptics such as James Randi, who were able to reproduce his tricks perfectly without making supernatural claims. Has everybody forgotten that?

[@eMJayRecordz]

I bent my computer screen watching this with such concentration :/

[@freighttrain777]

I've been among very interesting individuals and I've personally seen them levitate and exit their bodies, return with amazing detail information. I'm not interested in getting in details here. But what I am going to say is that there is so much in this world that we no nothing about it. Majority of people are so socially, culturally, religiously conditioned to see the world in such limited perspective... it stops them from exploring more, it's a shame! Life is full of mysteries.

[@kikook222]

Well you can predict a trait of a person and be right like hair color or eye color depending on the parents eyes and hair if the reccesive is 75 or 100 dominant or the domonite has the majority. But its still hard to do and be right.

[@robbcayman]

So, one little kid has a slight bend (most likely prior to the mind bending) and we are supposed to be amazed? None of the rest of them can do it, maybe that kid is divine. This is a miracle and the sign I have been looking for.

[@jtrollol]

Why didn't the leader show how it was done for the cameras? OH YEA CUS HE CAN'T DO IT AND HE'S CRAZY!!

[@warrenrandall6936]

Congratulations! You spent hundreds of dollars on a course teaching you to damage your own cutlery!

[@DylanTownesDrake]

@superkartz absolutely epic comment

[@jrskp3677]

If it was possible, then they should have laid down a few on a table with the camera positioned above it to capture it in real time and a second one filming the first and with an unobstructed view of the emptiness under the table to show nothing else was being done. That would be good evidence. Which didn't happen.

[@tsferg]

Sorry, Bill makes his guesses on a person's character traits, not physical genetic traits.

[@BRADING11]

its just gallium infused with the metal, with just the right amount it makes it possible to bend them without making them crumble almost like paper (NurdRage)

[@negritorican]

Of course the kid with ants in his pants is the one with the bent spoon..lol

[@espada9]

What if your spoon doesn't understand English?

[@beansharicots]

The Monroe Institute charges $200+ bucks to teach you to bend a spoon with your hands. Ridiculous.

[@tsferg]

"Why do people believe in astrology? In these uncertain times many long for the comfort of having guidance in making decisions. They would like to believe in a destiny predetermined by astral forces beyond their control. However, we must all face the world, and we must realize that our futures lie in ourselves, and not in the stars." Same bunch O' scientists...

[@Tacticalchief]

opiates can alter your brain chemistry and start un-naturally high flows of adrenaline and other chemicals. In fact some drugs that are opiate based can numb your mind to point where you dont realize that you are tearing muscle tissue so you "seem" stronger. Co-incidentally the reactions cause by opiates occur in the same place that "joy" and "love" occur in the brain. .... I think that is a rational explanation that pretty much debunks any supposed mind to matter transfer of energy.

[@tsferg]

I was just buggin Skepticslayer a bit. He claims he can get 60% accuracy of predicting someones personality traits so I made up 3 for you and figured 2 are probably hits. Just nonsense stuff for fun. But i bet i got 2 right.

[@smalltownatheist]

No kidding, right? A *spoon* is too hard to bend with normal human strength? Let's see him tie a tire-iron in knots, or bend a brick. Great work, Shermer.

[@marcdeckard7064]

Hypnosis.

[@particle409]

lazerbud, Whether you believe video exists of Geller cheating exists or not, is irrelevant. The video exists, no matter what you believe. Search for "Uri Geller" in the KZbin search box. You'll see multiple videos explaining how he does his tricks, and also videos of him cheating.

[@xxIryshPogixx]

thx

[@ShareJesusMinistries]

as a little kid once said from the movie matrix - there is no spoon

[@vexion15]

Dude pause it at 3:13! That dude was in a few episodes of Roseanne! :D

[@cas343]

..Now that guy is definitely a bender.

[@tsferg]

"Please do not respond I am not interested in reading the thoughts of someone who has such shallow and shameful values as you do."- Bill Perron Must have been one hell of a book there Bill....

[@kev3d]

Bends are easy, drawing metal is another matter altogether. Hot metal is more easily ductile, that is, it can be drawn into a wire. "Rub" say...a copper bowl until it can be pulled like taffy. Surely if a loop can be made through heat, an object can drawn. But it won't, because the effect in play is mechanical, not thermal, and it is CERTAINLY not supernatural.

[@Therileynator]

The first thing of that word in physco

[@PsYcH0xChicKeN]

You believe he lies, others don't necessarily think the same. What says that he's lying and Perron's not? Besides which, regardless of who didn't want the camera, it doesn't change the fact that Perron's proposed test was a joke and as transparent as freshly cleaned window.

[@220volt74]

Actually, proper science would be NOT to believe at all, UNTIL you get the evidence.

[@ItsJakeTheBrake]

uhm, people debunk very specific claims...the problem with religion is that it is based on either unprovable/untestable claims or they can't provide any evidence to support their claims. And you could've chosen a better example for "miracles" than the ridiculous Fatima sungazing. I can make people see snakes in trees, even if there are none...its quite simple actually and the more people there are the simpler it gets...hallucination doesn't mean you're crazy.

[@requiemdexter]

"It's extremely difficult to do physically" :)But you could do it with thoughts! HA.

[@paulbottomley42]

While I like the idea, given that stainless steel (by way of common example) has a melting point well over a thousand degrees, and that its often used as cookware, I don't think the heat of a human hand could soften it :P

[@miragehero35]

It is probably just adrenaline, i have a very good friend who, lets say, is on the skinny side. But his twin got trapped underneath a truck in a accident and my friend was somehow able to easily lift the truck off of his twin... So adrenaline is probably a lot bigger of a force than most people think it is.

[@scottbing8201]

Definitely not adrenaline. I'm positive. This is chi power

[@Medbread]

Avatar: The Last Spoonbender

[@dr.christopherdiaz4473]

I came here to get a lot more than adrenaline. This may be one of his weakest debunks. Not tha I believe the spoon guy, but NEITHER of them has provided compelling evidence for or against their ideas.

[@DaveMartinCanuck]

most people there might be there for entertainment purposes. I bend spoons all the time when I use spoons to scoop hard ice cream. All hard ice cream is made from supernatural ingredients, and has an unmeasurable, undetectable, untestable supernatural affect on my spoons. My wife is not buying this line of though though.