Not sure about this

[beige_alert]

I've been reading the fabulous book Adventures from the Technology Underground : Catapults, Pulsejets, Rail Guns, Flamethrowers, Tesla Coils, Air Cannons, and the Garage Warriors Who Love Them. In it, I see yet another reason why I'm not certain if I really want to go to Burning Man or not:

Camp Pump's entry into the radical technology sweepstakes consisted mainly of a collection of large Lucite bell jars and vacuum pumps.

...

The man in charge of the operation sported a bizarrely enlarged scrotum. He appeared very proud of his package and was not at all self-conscious, although he had a sack big enough to double as a saddlebag. Upon entering the area, a straight-talking newcomer sized up the host with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Dude, you've got some wicked big nuts there. What's it feel like?"

...

After enlarging for some time, the pumpers released the vacuum on themselves and bade Camp Pump farewell. They left through the tent flap and walked out into the desert, their newly inflated testicles exposed for public view. As they no doubt had hoped, they gather stares quite frequently.

"As they no doubt had hoped." Indeed. Dude! I want people to notice me! Hey, this ought to work!

You know, I understand the urge to attract attention to yourself. I don't think I want to do it in this particular way, however. I think I'll stick to attracting attention to myself by singing aryana_filker's German filk songs in the United States.

Comments

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

That's pretty doggone weird, but I don't see it as a reason to avoid Burning Man unless there's some pressure to actually do it yourself (which would be totally at odds with what I've heard about Burning Man). I'm not saying that those people being there is a reason to *go*, mind you -- but if the cool stuff appeals, don't let the weird people scare you away. After all, you're used to having weird people around at cons.

I can't help but think that if they *really* wanted attention, they'd keep increasing pressure until the *pop* point...

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

manintheboat, staring over my shoulder, says, "eeeeew. I'll go to Burning Man again, but I'd never go to a con!"

Whereas, I've been to three or four cons but never Burning Man. But when I went to cons I dressed up as a Neanderthal and yelled at people.

[beige-alert.livejournal.com]

Weird people is what Burning Man is all about, and these guys wouldn't actually stop me from attending. Besides, I do like to sometimes be surrounded by people so weird that I look extremely dull and normal by comparison.

It does make one wonder what one would have to do to attract attention to oneself at Burning Man, though. You've got serious competition in the "hey everyone, dig me" field there.

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

A pulsejet on a bicycle. Something truly loud. Or something truly weird-looking, that people can't ignore.

I really want to find a copy of that book: I'll have to chekc the library.