U U. ~%\ "~~ D,_EC_,E-M_ B-E,-R 711973 Approved For Release 2W/08/tO CIA-RDP96-00787ROO02002W9-9 t q q [TAIN has recently been experiencing the strango scientific Community 'Lo come to terms with something )penings that seem to accompany Mr Uri Geller totally beyond its powers of explanation-indeed some erever he takes his one-man show. Knives and forks thing which in a religious context Would be called a te been bent, broken watches restarted and feats of miracle. Just as the public wants scientists to validate )arent telepathy performed. No generally accepted Mr Geller, it would also want them to explain hirin and, )lanation is yet forthcoming. however awkward this question may be, it should not kithough the phenomenon of Mr Geller is new to be avoided. If Mr Geller indeed possesses extraordinary itain, he is well known both in Israel and the United abilities it is immaterial whether lie is an isolated un XeS for his performances. TR iz~ iii-poftant -1--at hC rom-it~,Wp plif-nornenon or whether a larec number of ims to be doing these stranu people can be taught the skills, and it is immaterial that ge things not as an illusionist ~ng sleight of hand or deceptive material but as some- he manifests the abilities in ways up to now better known o. invested with a previously unappreciated power. He to music-hall illusionists than to scientific investi-ators. Prepared to back up this claim very convincingly by The challenge would still exist-that well established rformin- in such inauspicious surroundinLs as the back scientific laws as apparent to laymen as to scientists are a taxi in the company of the Science Correspondent not inviolate under the influence of some presumed the Staiday Times. If be is an illusionist lie runs the mental process. k of being detected every time he shows off. his skills, It is difficult to see how research into the causes of rticularly when his performance goes on to videotape. such extraordinary happenings could proceed. One irther. any stagehand knows how an illusionist works, suspects that any approach which involved extensive ,t none has yet revealed Mr Geller's secrets. instrumentation would end unsuccessfully. Technology It needs to be said, however, that not everyone is con. has an unerrinc, ability to suppress human skills. Never- i 0 theless a boost for sychical research would be very 'iced that Mr Geller is other than a arcat illusionist p .d that there seems to be somewhat more scepticism welcome. There are too many loose ends lying around Israel and the United States than has yet developed for comfort,'and psychical research has not yet been able Britain. For a fairly cool assessment Time of March to shake off its mildly eccentric character and its ability 1973, should be rdad. Nevertheless he has clearly to attract fierce criticism. Lied a prinia facie case for further investigat .ion and The viewing public, shown a chest operation under is to be hoped that the proposal by the New Scientist acupuncture one week and an exhibition of knife bending at lie submit to 'examination by its panel will be taken the next, is bound to ask searching questions- about con even though he has already been examined extensively vent.ional scientific wisdom. a team at Stanford Research Institute. What does all this mean for the scientist-and not -.cessarily only the scientist interested in psychic yulys Ag, 0 :search? There are two distinct challen2es to him, The first is that analysis of this phenomenon must be V., bsolutely neutral and above boa rd. One of the remark- JI ble things about this whole affair has been the way the ublic has asked that it be investi-ated bv scientists. It .4- V~ 1% ~ U` as been common to hear phrases such as "I will not be ~4 NAl M appy until a panel of scientists have pronounced on it". 7, ZI: ii mediaeval times it was priests, later it was noblemen, i Victorian times businessmen and now scientists who re the arbiters of acceptability and correctness. It is TnE London Association of Correctors of the Press held a ot possible to believe that this situation will last much conversazione on Saturdaylast*undcr the presidency of NIT. B. )nger though it is difficult to decide who will eventually H. Cowper, editor of the Queen. We are glad to notice that upplant the scientist in this role-trade unionist, profes- the principal items of the programme were of a scientific cha. iona I footballer or television announcer. Nevertheless, racter. Mr. E. R. Johnson, Chairman of the Association, read vbile this duty still falls to the scientist he has a great a paper on-the past work of the Association, enumerating some esponsibility to be utterly objective and entirely open. of the papers and discussion,; on philological topics Nvlhich had Mere have been some doubts cist on the Stanford investi- engaged its attention, and while comrnerdiDg the study of philo. 1.9y, the advantage of an acquaintance With one or other of ,,ation becaLlSe Of the lack of publication of the results the exact sciences was set forth. )Mr. G. Chaloner, Late Secretary tpart from a report at a conference. On the other hand of the Association, and lecturer on Chemistry at the Birkbeck t is undesirable that Mr Geller should be used either by Institution, calightened the meeting as to some of the properties ;omeone deli-litim, in the occuit or exceedingly sceptical of hydrogen, accompanying his zernaiks with ippropriatc. expeii- ments. I r. J. 1'. Young di.-.coursed on the glacial period, and The second challenge to scientists will arise if'invcsti- exhibited some fossils illustrative thereof. Phe wonders of the microscope and stercose 'ope also contributed to the enjoyment of ~mtions con tllnue S llj~MOJYJO: ClAL*Rl9P§%00787R000200200029-9 ind with tic prese evi ence iis cer ain y cann U ruled out. It would then Lie urgently necessary for the From Nawre, 9, 114, December 11, 1873.