The unreliable collective memory

It's a strange thing and somtimes I think am I the only one who remembers? For example in the 70's there was this guy called Uri Geller. He was all over the television and people were almost glued to the tube when he would appear. He calls himself a mentalist, being able to manipulate matter with his brain. His most known act is the bending spoon performance. Of course this kind of psychic power would attract critics and it did finally. For instance the Stanford Research center did some scientific tests, but the protocol and conditions in which he had to perform were really questionable. The scientists taking part in this examanition therefore did a very sloppy job. In their report they left out even some critical statements. But one man wasn't that gullable and as a former magician became a professional critic to deal with all physic phenoma and other people claiming to have psychic powers. His name is James Randi. He just showed in several occasions how simple the bending spoon trick could be performed. It's just a matter of preparation. Alledgely Geller would bend the spoons before his performance untill they would almost crack. This is known as metal fatique. When bending a metal object frantically the metal structure heatens up and causes a weakness in the moleculair structure. At the end little strength is needed to bend the spoon and even crack it. In Johnny Carsons "The Late Night Show" in 1973, Geller was challenged to perform. Only in this case the tableware and other objects were not brought in by Geller. Of course Geller couldn't perform and was exposed. His pittyfull excuse was that he couln't perform under pressure. Soon after he dissapeard from TV and the public eye.

But to my suprise he showed up again with a new show, where he claims to retire soon and is looking for the next Uri Geller. So people are invited and challenged to reveal the same kind of psychic powers. The public and a panel will finally choose the winner who can hold the questionable title of the next Uri Geller. And here is the problem. Did people really forget all about the past? The audience is still as impressed as in the 70's. Even in this time with internet and all the technologic evolutions they let themselves be tricked with the same stupid performance from 30 years ago. It's even sad to see that his trick is still the same basic 3 ones. Reading peoples drawings by mind and reproduce them, bending spoons, and let broken watches again work. Nothing changed and he didn't come up with something new. And though he did some confessions in the past he was never really clear about that he was just a magician and a fraud regarding psychic powers.

I feel very alarmed about the collective memory we share. If a little fraud as Uri Geller can do this, what about the history of this world, and the people that have the power? The Bushes, the necons, the globalized companies and anyone who like to manipulate us? Uri Geller is a perfect example. If he can get away with this, what would stop any politician to get away with even worse tricks and manipulations?