Banachek: Difference between revisions

| name = Banachek

| image = Banachek performing at CSICon 2019 = Banacheck.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Banachek at [[CSICon]] in Las Vegas,= 2019.

| birth_name = Steven Shaw

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|11|30||df=y}}

| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =

| occupation = [[Mentalist]], magician, writer, [[skeptic]]

| salaryspouse = | networth =

| spouseparents = | parents =

| website = {{URL|http://www.banachek.com}}

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| televisionalma_mater =

'''Banachek''' (born '''Steven Shaw'''; on30 November 30, 1960),{{efn|Banachek legally changed his name from "Steven Shaw" to the [[mononym]] "Banachek".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/Portal/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0|title=Court ruling of name change|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>}} is an English [[Mentalism|mentalist]], [[magician (illusionist)|magician]], and "[[telepathy#Thought reading|thought reader]].".<ref name="PoI">{{cite web|last1=Grothe|first1=D.J.|authorlink=D.J. Grothe|title=Banachek-Mentalism and Skepticism, Nov. 13, 2009|url=http://www.pointofinquiry.org/banachek_mentalism_and_skepticism/|website=Point of Inquiry|publisher=Center for Inquiry|accessdateaccess-date=29 OctOctober 2017}}</ref>

BanachekHe first came to public attention as a teenager for his role in [[James Randi]]'s [[Project Alpha (hoax)|Project Alpha]] experiment, which exposed the lack of objectivity in [[parapsychology|parapsychology research]].<ref name="website" /> As director of the [[One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge]] conducted by the [[James Randi Educational Foundation]] (JREF), he has since tested the authenticity of many self-described [[psychic]]s, none of whom has managed to pass [[scientific control|scientifically controlled]] tests of their claimed [[paranormal]] abilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1388-randi-challenges-top-qpsychicsq-after-nightline-episode.html |title=Randi Challenges Top "Psychics" After Nightline Episode |publisher=Randi.org |date=August 18, 2011August |accessdate=2011-09-08}}</ref> Banachek legally changed his name from "Steven Shaw" to the [[mononym]] "Banachek".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/Portal/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0|title=Court ruling of name change|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref>

HeBanachek is currently a fellow of the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]], a program of the [[Center for Inquiry]],<ref name="csifellow">{{cite web|title=Center for Inquiry News: Cause & Effect: The CFI Newsletter -– No. 99|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cause_effect_99/|website=www.centerforinquiry.net|accessdateaccess-date=8 February 2018|language=en|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208134003/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cause_effect_99/|archivedatearchive-date=8 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>, and the President of the [[James Randi Educational Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.randi.org|title=James Randi Educational Foundation|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104153258/http://randi.org:80/ |archive-date=4 November 1999 |access-date=}}</ref>

Banachek collaborated with fellow teenager Michael Edwards on James Randi's Project Alpha experiment at the newly founded McDonnell Laboratory for Psychical Research of [[Washington University in St. Louis]].<ref name="Alpha">{{cite journal|last1=Randi|first1=James|authorlink=James Randi|title=The Project Alpha Experiment: Part 1: The First Two Years, and Part 2:Beyond the Laboratory|journal=Skeptical Inquirer|date=Summer 1983|volume=7-8|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/160343103/James-Randi-The-Project-Alpha-Experiment-Skeptical-Inquirer-1983|accessdateaccess-date=27 OctOctober 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogan |first1=Joe |title=JRE #1163: Banachek |url=http://podcasts.joerogan.net/podcasts/banachek |website=Joe Rogan Experience Podcast |accessdateaccess-date=22 SepSeptember 2018}}</ref> Over theFrom course of1979 fourto years1982, Banachek and Edwards replicated numerous mentalist effects, so thoroughly convincing researchers of the authenticity of their alleged paranormal abilities that some could not later be persuaded that they had in fact been deceived.<ref name="Alpha" /><ref name="MoM">{{cite journal|last1=Polidoro|first1=Massimo|authorlink=Massimo Polidoro|title=Notes on a Strange World: Miracle or Magic?|journal=Skeptical Inquirer|date=March 2011|volume=35|url=https://www.csicop.org/si/show/magic_or_miracle|accessdateaccess-date=27 OctOctober 2017}}</ref></blockquote> The revelation that a pair of untrained teenagers had succeeded in hoodwinking a well-funded team of scientists exposed the lax methodology and lack of scientific control rife in the field of parapsychological research<ref name="Cows"/><ref name="MoM" /> and led to permanent closure of the laboratory.<ref name="JN" />

On the television special ''The Search for Houdini'' (1987), hosted by [[William Shatner]], Banachek performed an [[escapology|escape stunt]] in which he successfully dug his way out after being chained, handcuffed, locked in a coffin, and buried six feet underground.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Search for Houdini|date=5 May 2010 |url=https://mytvlog.blogspot.com/2010/05/search-for-houdini-1987-tv.html|accessdateaccess-date=20 Dec 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Download Magic website|url=http://downloadmagic.com/stream-magic-dvds/46688-psi-series-banachek-2.html|accessdate=26 OctDecember 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Banachek performs the first Buried Alive on National TV| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtNvVAYWWkY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/HtNvVAYWWkY |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Banachek Buried alive on Japanese TV on August 4, 1992| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ggtD_ptl74 |accessdatearchive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/3ggtD_ptl74 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|access-date=27 OctOctober 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In addition to touring internationally,<ref name="website">{{cite web|last1=Banachek|title=Banachek website|url=http://www.banachek.com/performances/|accessdateaccess-date=27 OctOctober 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019133333/http://www.banachek.com/performances/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Banachek serves as a consultant for numerous other entertainers and shows.<ref name="PoI" /><ref name="JN">{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/thought-reader_banachek/ |first=Joe |last=Nickell |authorlink=Joe Nickell |title=Thought-Reader Banachek |date=July 30, July 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=July 30, July 2009 |publisher=[[Center for Inquiry]] |location=Amherst, NY}}</ref><ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|2547959|Banachek}}</ref> Among the many tricks he has developed is a version of the [[bullet catch]], a [[stage magic]] illusion in which a [[magician (illusionist)|magician]] appears to catch a bullet fired directly at him. Although the bullet catch has earned a reputation for being the most dangerous magic trick,<ref>{{cite web|last1=MagicTricks.com|title="Bullet Catch"|url=https://www.magictricks.com/most-dangerous-trick.html|accessdateaccess-date=26 OctOctober 2017}}</ref> Banachek claims that his version is completely safe. Since purchasing the trick from him in 1995, [[Penn & Teller]] have developed several variations they use in their show at times.<ref name="PoI" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Official Bullet Catch website|url=http://bulletcatch.com/|accessdateaccess-date=26 OctOctober 2017}}</ref> Since 2021, he has presented mentalism and magic in his show ''Mind Games'', a multi-sensory, interactive experience<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Borensztajn |first1=Jordana |title=Banachek |journal=Digital Vanish Magazine |date=2024 |issue=Special Edition |url=https://digitalvanishmagazine.com/6q0d?fbclid=IwAR0WhjWXDCSEzMyt01Tj_erI6cUDOjYZRoSnPYNWiUXwZl_jnLAcjUpgu8c |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> at [[The Strat]] in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radke |first1=Brock |title=Banachek is going big in the intimate Strat Theater with new ‘Mind Games’ show |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/aug/02/banachek-mind-games-live-strat-theater-magic/ |access-date=20 January 2024 |agency=Las Vegas Sun |publisher=Las Vegas Sun |date=8 August 2021}}</ref>

Banachek has appeared as himself and produced several television programs and shows, including ''[[An Honest Liar]]'', ''[[Criss Angel BeLIEve (TV series)|Criss Angel BeLIEve]]'', and ''[[Criss Angel Mindfreak]].''<ref name="imdb" /> He demonstrated his ability to bend forks on ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent.''<ref>{{cite web|title=Unscrewed with Martin Sargent clip| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiXETE_jbzc |accessdatearchive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/MiXETE_jbzc |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|access-date=13 NovNovember 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He toured with the [[stage show]] ''Hoodwinked'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=bf16353a-b91a-48a5-8d26-e528e3076710 |title=If it weren't onstage, it'd be illegal |newspaper=[[The Montreal Gazette]] |author=Greenaway, K |date=10 July 10, 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=31 July 31, 2009 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Woo in Review: HOODWINKED |author=Smith, Alison |newspaper=SWIFT |publisher=[[James Randi Educational Foundation]] |url=http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/314-woo-in-review-hoodwinked.html |date=25 November 25, 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=31 July 31, 2009 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> During his appearance on ''The Alpha Project'' show (2012), he successfully predicted newspaper headlines ten days in advance of publication.<ref>{{cite webnews|last1=Gillis|first1=Wendy|title=Luminato: Mentalist Banachek predicts Star front page 10 days in advance|newspaper=The Toronto Star |date=9 June 2012 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/06/09/luminato_mentalist_banachek_predicts_star_front_page_10_days_in_advance.html|publisher=Toronto Star, June 9, June 2012|accessdateaccess-date=20 DecDecember 2017}}</ref> He launched the ''Banachek: Telepathy'' tour in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tommaney|first1=Susie|title=Banachek: Telepathy|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/event/banachek-telepathy-9425840|publisher=Houston Press|accessdateaccess-date=20 DecDecember 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050902/http://www.houstonpress.com/event/banachek-telepathy-9425840|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Banachek-The Man Who Fooled The Scientists Presents-Telepathy|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/event/local/3453247/banachek-the-man-who-fooled-the-scientists-presents-telepathy|publisher=Crains Detroit Business, May 19, May 2017|accessdateaccess-date=20 DecDecember 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054512/http://www.crainsdetroit.com/event/local/3453247/banachek-the-man-who-fooled-the-scientists-presents-telepathy|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Elected as a fellow of the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]], a program of the [[Center for Inquiry]] in 2017.<ref name="csifellow" />
* Psychic Entertainers Association Dave Lederman Memorial Award (for Creativity in Mentalism), 1997.<ref name="pea">{{cite web |url=http://www.p-e-a.org/awards.html |title=Awards |publisher=Psychic Entertainers Association |accessdateaccess-date=July 30, July 2009}}</ref>

* Awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership at PSYCRETS (British Society of Mystery Entertainers) Tabula Mentis VII in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=PSYCRETS Honorary Awards & Lifetime Members |url=http://www.psycrets.org.uk/html/Honorary_Awards_Members/honorary_awards_members.html |publisher=Psycrets |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235624/http://www.psycrets.org.uk/html/Honorary_Awards_Members/honorary_awards_members.html |archivedatearchive-date=December 30, December 2013 }}</ref>

* {{cite book |authorauthor1=Atmore, Joseph |last2=Dunninger |first2=JosephBanachek |author2-link=JosephBurlingame, DunningerHardin J. |author3=BanachekWells, Scott R. |author4=PalmerGillett, BillS. Christopher |title=Dunninger'sPsychophysiological Thought Reading, or, Muscle Reading and the Ideomotor BrainResponse BustersRevealed |location=HumbleHouston, TXTexas |publisher=H&R Magic BooksInspirations |year=20012002 |pagespage=11173 |isbn=978-0-9706438-1-0 |oclc=6521558460349209}}

* {{cite book |author1=Banachek |author2=BurlingameDyment, Hardin J.Doug |author3=Wells, Scott R. |author4=Gillett, S. Christopher |title=PsychophysiologicalPsychological ThoughtSubtleties Reading, or, Muscle Reading and the Ideomotor Response Revealed2 |location=Houston, Texas |publisher=Magic Inspirations |year=20022007 |pagespage=73206 |isbn=978-0-9706438-12-07 |oclc=60349209310366497}}

==Photo galleryNotes==

* {{cite podcast|title=Banachek -– Mentalism and Skepticism |url=http://www.pointofinquiry.org/banachek_mentalism_and_skepticism/ |website=Point of Inquiry | host=[[D.J. Grothe]]| date=13 November 2009| publisher=[[Center for Inquiry]] |accessdate=11 April 2016}}

[[Category:AmericanEnglish magicians]]

[[Category:AmericanBritish skepticssceptics]]