How would you do the compass trick?

epepke

Philosopher
epepke
Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
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I hope this does not qualify as giving away secrets, because I haven't read this anywhere.

I'm talking about the one that Uri Geller did waving his arms around the compass and willing it to move.

Personally, I'd get one of those small but powerful magnets that are normally used to show off high-temperature superconductors and conceal it in the gap between my little finger and ring finger. If I wanted to get fancy, I'd plaster it in with liquid latex and cover the surface with skin-colored vinyl tape.
 
Put it in your shirt pocket. As you lean in to "influence" the compass, your body gets closer...bingo! Too easy, no?
 
Zep said:
Put it in your shirt pocket. As you lean in to "influence" the compass, your body gets closer...bingo! Too easy, no?
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Ah, but then you can't do it with your shirt off, which is much more impressive, and it's easier to control with your hand.
 
Watch-strap. False fingertip gag. Concealed in the hair(-piece!). In the mouth. Etc, etc.
 
Although not quite the same effect,do it seated and have a big PK magnet strapped to your knee,cross your legs and hey presto compass moves!!
 
epepke said:
Ah, but then you can't do it with your shirt off, which is much more impressive, and it's easier to control with your hand.
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I saw Geller do it with his shirt off on TV once. My thought was the magnet was concealed in his belt buckle. I wish I had been there to throw a hand full of iron filings at him.
 
Have more than one. That makes the compass needle go wild and is much harder to spot.
 
CFLarsen said:
Have more than one. That makes the compass needle go wild and is much harder to spot.
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Anyone ever think of making a mock-compass with a needle made out of a non-magnetic material? Might lead to amusement and gaiety.
 
I remember Uri being on Big Breakfast(morning TV show in UK) and obviously did his spoon bend,but the presenter pissed him off "Youve brought your own spoon..." ;)
 
Ed said:
Anyone ever think of making a mock-compass with a needle made out of a non-magnetic material? Might lead to amusement and gaiety.
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:D :D :D

Hey!!!!

This would make a great item for sale at TAM!
 
When the tv camera zoomed in for a close-up of the compass I'd switch to the video channel showing the second compass being held by my assistant.
 
Put the magnet down your underpants...

A couple of Michael Jackson groin thrusts near the compass...and hey...

Dancing and magic...double the entertainment..

DB
 
Peter S. said:
I saw Geller do it with his shirt off on TV once. My thought was the magnet was concealed in his belt buckle. I wish I had been there to throw a hand full of iron filings at him.
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The only time I saw him do it on teevee, he took his shirt off after he had done it.
 
I would be very surprised if this trick counted as a "secret". Randi has actively tried to expose it to everyone. For example, it's in the Online Encyklopedia under "compass trick". :D

According to Randi (in one of his books) Uri did it at least once with the magnet concealed in his mouth. At least the needle seemed to follow the movements of his head. And since Uri managed to fool so many with that, I guess it could be used... though I'd rather conceal it in some place where I don't risk getting it stuck in my windpipe.

I'd absolutely not conceal it in my hands, unless I'm 100 % sure that no one who watches will try to expose the secret. Anyone knows that a compass can be deflected with a magnet and if I'm making hand movements over the compass, people are looking at my hands.
Also, when Geller did this under 'controlled' circumstances, the place that was examined was his hands. If someone would demand to search you for magnets, they are very likely to check only your hands.
Put the magnet down your underpants...
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That might actually be a good idea, since most people will not shove their hands there to look for magnets. But then the magnet must be fairly strong.
 
Obviously, the mouth is the place. That is exactly the idea when doing such tricks: Make people do the obvious and watch your hands, while you can move a small magnet with your tongue. I'm pretty sure most magnet materials could be swallowed without ill effects, so that would be one way to get rid if it, if anybody got too close.

Also, remember that you don't need a magent to influence a compass; a piece of iron will do.

However, in a test setting, any of these tricks could be disclosed with a magnetometer.

Hans
 
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