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Forgetomori has a good blog post exposing jackasses through the ages who pretend to levitate as a way of bilking deluded suckers.
Levitation secret revealed (70 years ago)
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Yes, real levitation should not require a cane, suckers!
Next: an in-depth look behind the ears of children. Are they really hiding untold troves of quarters?
I like the simplicity "The Maharishi's" method better. Just take a still photo while jumping up the air!
I want one of those chair canes. Is that a weird reaction to this piece?
Did someone ever post a straightforward video demo of how David Blaine does his "Street Levitation"?
Brainspore: If I had taken a sip of beverage, it would be all over my keyboard. Thanks for the lol. XD
@ Haineux: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+david+blaine+levitates
Brainspore: great job.
"Confidence men", "tricksters", "frauds", "scam artists" -- sure.
But "Jackasses" ?
DavidGet, thanks for lmgtfy! I'll be using it a lot :)
Anonymous9.. why not?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Where's the egress?
Moderator @11;
For me I would guess that the term is one of the obvious that indicates the cross bread animal. The other one being 2:a contemptibly foolish or stupid person; dolt; blockhead; ass. (dictionary.com)
I have to agree in terms that while the fraud term is appropriate it would be the foolish who believe it is anything other than fake. That would mean the conned are jackasses. I have many far more appropriately degrading words I would call these "people" who prey on the beliefs of others. I would not have responded to the question for Anonymous, but I too was wondering the word choice presented by the author. Sorry if it offends.
Charlatan is the word...
If you could use some exotic booze, there's a bar in far Bombay....come fly with me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euci0_BBmNE
I wish people really could levitate.
Wow...that guy was India's version of "James Randi"...even down to the beard and skepticism...Great video and I am always dubious of these charlatans.
If I could levitate I'd be floating on air...
@Anon 4:
Foolish to want one? Hell, no - I think these loating yogi chairs are going to be next year's must-have garden feature - "Amaze Your Friends!"...
A funnier version of the levitation trick here:
http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/learn-to-levitate-the-easy-way/
In the European Legislative Elections of 1994 in France, there was a candidate of the "Natural Law Party" that proned yogi flight as a national policy.
I remember ROFL with a comment I saw then requesting a patch for MS Flight Simulator.
Look out for the "Parti de la Loi Naturelle" promotional Video there : http://www.wikio.fr/video/1096525
This fakir is a faker.
How does Criss Angel levitate in broad daylight from one rooftop to the next?
"Jackass" seems a bit strong...
I prefer "street performer".
-- MrJM
Thank you for helping us to curate Indian religions. How about working to expose this one: Buddhists claim that all things are empty of intrinsic identity, but, MRNS!!!, they are not!!!
I would go much further than just "jackass" and call these people complete amoral assholes.
There's a difference between when guys like David Blaine (even though I have not much love for him, he annoys me to bits) levitate and when these guys do it. Illusionists don't pretend that they really know magic and the secrets to the universe and that people should go on pilgrimages to see them and offer gifts. These yogis do.
They rob people of their money by tricking them into thinking that they have a spiritual connection to other worlds and that they can improve their lives by "appealing to the gods" or somesuch nonsense, of course for a small fee.
These people are no better (much worse, IMHO, because they play on people's emotions and hopes and dreams) than pickpockets who use misdirection and sleight of hand to rob people of their wallets. They should be fucking ashamed of themselves.
The dudes were just trying to have a sit. Think of it as a really fancy way of sitting, keepin ya pimp hand strong. Sure, I might deliberately wrap my sari around so it looks cooler, but I never said I wasn't sitting on something, damnit. Were you there when broheem was asked if he was really floating or he was just sitting on a chair cane? Did you hear any of them lie? No0.
Yes, a chair cane. I feel the same way.
@25
yeah, typical Indian "amoral assholes." How dare they fleece the rich and priviledged british upper classes who took their country by force and massacred civilians. and took the tea and made zillions out of it. damn them and their clever fraud.
ashamed of themselves? yeah right. if you are stupid enough to believe this can be done, against all the laws of physics*, you deserve to lose your money. just like all those who pay for a premium rate phone call to hear thier ridiculous horoscopes.
* yeah, i know, we just haven't worked out how to do it yet.
@ Waylonwillie: Wake up.
@16 NUORDER
That's exactly what I was thinking... Randi gave up chasing down Uri Geller and started exposing people on other continents
That jackass is probably eating a lot better than many of his peers.
Interesting. The secret of the trick is the one absolutely anyone would come up with in two seconds.
IT'S STILL REAL TO ME, DAMMIT!
@JIMH
I'm trying, dude, but I keep getting taken by these phonies!!! Life in Rishikesh is a lot harder than you might think!!!
Look up "Balducci" levitation -- a friend and I achieved it once-- it would become easier with practice, like everything else.