Spoon bending
Spoon bending is the common name for the deformation of objects allegedly by
paranormal means, either without physical force, or by a force that would normally be insufficient for that effect.
In the 1970s, there were many reports of people who claimed to have the ability to cause such events. The most notable in the West was
Uri Geller, a former
stage magician who demonstrated his alleged psychic powers by bending metal spoons (hence the popular name above) as well as metal
keys and several other objects and materials. However the reports were met with
skepticism by most scientists, and many reported performances were eventually exposed as tricks and
frauds by professional stage magicians such as
James Randi.
Stage magic trick
Some people, including many scientists and professional stage magicians believe that spoon-bending demonstrations are nothing more than
stage magic tricks.
In most cases, the trick could be accomplished simply by
misdirection, a basic tool of the stage magician. Namely, the performer draws the audience's attention away from the spoon during the brief moment while he is actually bending it with his hands. The typical bend, where the bowl meets the handle, requires relatively little force.Another possible method is to use a metal spoon that has been previously doctored so that a simple flick will cause it to bend. This can be done, for instance, by repeatedly bending the spoon at the desired spot, until the metal
cracks and weakens. A skilled
magician can disguise a sharp flick so that it appears smooth and natural.
Paranormal phenomenon
Others believe that spoon bending is possible outside the context of trickery, caused by a
paranormal phenomenon unknown to current science. They maintain that the effects of spoon bending through normal force fall short of the manipulations achieved at "spoon bending parties."
Some performers describe the process as follows: First the performer must concentrate and somehow focus on the object to be affected, so as to create a link between himself and the object. After some time, the object is put aside and ignored, which is claimed to sever that link. If these stages have been properly performed, they claim, the material (metal or plastic) will eventually soften so that it can be bent with negligible force. After a short time (said to be thirty seconds at most) the material will return to its original hardness.
As a variation on this process, Uri Geller claimed in the 1970s that he could alter the latent structure of
nitinol, a "shape memory" alloy that was widely featured in the popular science press of the time.
* In the film
The Matrix (
1999), hero
Neo watches a boy bending a spoon with his mind, then he is warned not to try to bend the spoon, because it is impossible; instead, Neo should realize that there is no spoon â€" so it is not the spoon that bends, it is the observer.
* In the Manga
20th Century Boys villain "friend" is able to bend spoons.
* In the
Pokémon games and anime, spoon bending is embodied by two Psychic-type Pokémon,
Kadabra and
Alakazam, who are both depicted as carrying spoons. In addition, the
Saffron City Gym Leader
Sabrina, according to the games, is said to have been a psychic ever since she discovered she could bend spoons with her mind.
*
Martin Gardner,
Science: Good, Bad and Bogus. Prometheus Books, Buffalo NY (1989). ISBN 0-8795-573-3.
*
Video play-by-play of Geller "bending" a spoon*
Fork-You.com - Informational website on cutlery bending, including a step-by-step guide.*
JackHouck.com - Jack Houck hosts 'Pk Parties' where large groups of people get together and attempt spoon bending, with alleged success.*
A set of pictures from an attendee of a Jack Houck 'Pk Party'.*
Summary of online spoonbending PK links*
Report from a former skeptic of the phenomenon who attended a PK party
