I meant to publish this post yesterday, but you know what? It’s not a joke. So here goes:
Some time in the long-lost 1970s, a guy named Uri Geller became a worldwide star by going on different TV shows and doing the impossible.
Under bright studio lights, with millions watching, Geller bent solid metal spoons, made stopped watches run again, and saw through walls and closed doors — using only the power of his mind.
(Yes, this is from the video I shared a few days ago, if you managed to watch it till the end.)
Then there was this second guy, a former stage magician named The Great Randi.
Randi started following Geller around from TV show to TV show. He’d appear a week later, and expose every one of Geller’s mysterious and transcendent acts for what they really were.
“It’s just parlor tricks,” said Randi. “Don’t believe this guy or his lies. He’s trying to con you, prey on your weaknesses, and probably steal your money.” And he showed exactly how Geller did did his illusions.
So what do you think happened?
Maybe you’ll say it was predictable. But it was eye-opening to me:
Uri’s popularity was unharmed.
Meanwhile, people starting booing poor Randi and chasing him off TV. “We’re going to commercial break,” shouted one TV host at Randi, “and you can piss off!”
Now that you know this interesting story, you can do with it what you will.
I know what I will do.
My conclusion is that hitting the road with an “Enlightened Rationalist” act is a sucker’s game.
I’d much rather win the love and loyalty of people who have the urge to believe — and fight for what they believe.
And that’s why I’ll be changing my own skeptical and cynical ways. I don’t expect the change to be immediate, but it will come, and soon.
You’ll be able to find it in my new newsletter, which I’ll call Destiny & Power. If you want to read this new newsletter, joining it is free and easy. You can do it right here, in just a few seconds.
And if you don’t want to read it, well, I hope you’ll change your mind. Because Destiny & Power welcomes and embraces everyone.