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[QUOTE=Robnark]I know, $183 million of ticket sales in america so far...

or did you mean the eejits with the homemade lightsabers?[/QUOTE]

yes

Seriously, we went to see it as well. But chances are my partner and I would have just rented the movie at some point had our ten-year not *really* wanted
to go
I would not, however, camp out for tickets. We simply purchased them online a few days prior to the event.

Some people ENJOY that kind of thing though. It's the experience of waiting in line for something with a group doing just the same thing that makes the movie all that much more exciting. It's not for me, I HATE waiting, for anything.

My friend tried out for American Idol when it all started in Washington last fall or whenever it was. She and her mom got wasted in line and partied instead. She didn't make it, but she had fun doing her thing and trying. Her mother got caught sneaking booze into American Idol too and they kicked her out while my friend had to try out.

If there had been an incident like that near me, I think I would have gone just to amuse myself at their expense. People didn't bother here that I heard of though.

The two Brits suffered severe burns when their homemade sabers exploded. The two had been videotaping their clash. They have been hospitalized at Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire since the accident Sunday.

I hope it was a good mental facility equipped with the latest in shock therapy. Sheesh.

Poor guys.

And I don't mean because of the burn injuries

I would hope it could function as a wakeup call to their brains about the realworld's existence, CE, but I don't think that's about to happen, soon.

And they say the US is filled with loopy folks who like living in fantasy worlds.

Well, alright--there may be some point to such remarks: the wealthier and more insulated a culture basically is compared to others, the more inclined its people are inclined to live in la-la land. The 18th century French aristocracy dressed up as make-believe shepherds and shepherdesses. We just have more money to fritter away, so more of our modern population can exist without external reference to reality. This is progress, I suppose.

[QUOTE=fable]I would hope it could function as a wakeup call to their brains about the realworld's existence, CE, but I don't think that's about to happen, soon. [/quote]

One can always hope, but like you I doubt.

I have never seen any statistics about this although I would like to, but the amount of reported cases of people who live in fantasy worlds have increased immensely in Japan, and I've seen reports from Europe as well. It is very difficult at this stage to say whether this reflects a true increase, or if there is an increased tendency to pay attention to the phenomena due to debates about the adverse effects of computer game addiction and such. In Japan at least I do think the reports reflects a true increase.

Perhaps the need to escape reality have a U-shaped relationship to weath. Kids living in the streets in the ghettos and developing world, often use whatever drugs they can find in order to survive the harsh conditions. It's not uncommon that for instance young boys who prostitute themselves for survival use half of their income on glue and other cheap drugs rather than saving the money for a future they don't think they have.

[QUOTE=C Elegans]Perhaps the need to escape reality have a U-shaped relationship to weath. Kids living in the streets in the ghettos and developing world, often use whatever drugs they can find in order to survive the harsh conditions. It's not uncommon that for instance young boys who prostitute themselves for survival use half of their income on glue and other cheap drugs rather than saving the money for a future they don't think they have.[/QUOTE]

So this would be a personal reaction to avoid reallife, on the basis that it's unpleasant (or worse)? Interesting. In an international culture where material wealth and instant gratification rule, I can see why kids would try in response to occupy fantasy worlds that emphasize ethical codes and simplistic solutions to complex problems. If you can't fight Bush or bin Ladan, isn't it easier to imagine beating Darth Something-or-Other?

But really, what an expenditure of energy and time on something controlled cynically by others for profit. And what are you left with, when it's over? That sense of lightness which comes from having spent money.

I bet these people had a great time before the "lightsabers" exploded

They must not have been using the force properly when they aligned the crystals in their sabres. Only a fool turns one on himself the first time.

[QUOTE=Magrus]Some people ENJOY that kind of thing though. It's the experience of waiting in line for something with a group doing just the same thing that makes the movie all that much more exciting. It's not for me, I HATE waiting, for anything. [/QUOTE]

I love it doesn't have to be just movies though, it can be anything I am interested in, I've stood hours in line for computer games (WoW) and for signatures from comic makes (Don Rosa, and several other Norwegian comic writers)

I wait in line for booze and food. I hate that though, waiting in line at check outs. If I have to wait in line at the movie theatre, uh-uh. I go get some alcohol, get drunk, come back, and wait again and make comments. They tend to relocate then so I get to the head of the line faster. Makes my life easier.

fable wrote:So this would be a personal reaction to avoid reallife, on the basis that it's unpleasant (or worse)? Interesting. In an international culture where material wealth and instant gratification rule, I can see why kids would try in response to occupy fantasy worlds that emphasize ethical codes and simplistic solutions to complex problems. If you can't fight Bush or bin Ladan, isn't it easier to imagine beating Darth Something-or-Other?

That's what I (and many in the behavioural sciences) think, yes. I think nobody has a problem understanding the psychological mechanisms behind a 9-year old boy buying glue in order to enter a state of consciousness where cold, hunger, violence and prostituting himself hurt him less. In the rich world though, material wealth, instant gratification and the idea that you have a right to be happy probably influence people to choose escape as a cpoing-strategy. Choosing escape as a coping strategy becomes more and more common the more helpless people feel and the less they believe they can affect the outcome of their situation. In todays international world when even the youngest kid is aware of the global problems, feelings of being powerless are increasingly common too.

I think one reason why so many young people today are attracted to worlds that include magic and high-tech, is that these concepts provide a way of gaining power and changing the power balance without having to work a lot for it. In a world with magic or sci-fi high-tech, there is no relationship between your effort and the outcome. It provides a short-cut to power and success, just as some people believe crime can provide a short cut. Then of course not everybody who enjoys fantasy or sci-fi try to use it as a coping strategy, a lot of people use it just as entertainment, but for a subgroup of people in can provide an unhealthy alternative to reality.

But really, what an expenditure of energy and time on something controlled cynically by others for profit. And what are you left with, when it's over? That sense of lightness which comes from having spent money.

Again, I think this is similar to the small-instant-gratification rules over long-term-larger-and-lasting-gratification that you find in people who committ crimes or people who are addicted to shopping. And what is most sad is what you point out, that the cynical industry of course exploits these traits in vulnerable humans.

So strange you CAN make it up.

[QUOTE=C Elegans]Again, I think this is similar to the small-instant-gratification rules over long-term-larger-and-lasting-gratification that you find in people who commit crimes or people who are addicted to shopping. And what is most sad is what you point out, that the cynical industry of course exploits these traits in vulnerable humans.[/QUOTE]The great C E paraphrases the most important of Anti S-word truths (I did correct some spelling though...).

Unfortunately the Darwin Awards have a long and ignoble record for promoting urban myths (hence the so strange you CAN make it up). Also, more pertinently, this incident is not a valid Darwin Awards entrant as it did not remove either party from the gene pool. This is an essential and rarely waived requirement.

For the record. I am not and have never been a member of COMM in any form. Unless Martha Stewart HAS served hard time I have no allegence to the glove puppet named Weasle what-so-ever and remain his sworn foe and nemesis.

What baptized christians have ever done to be accussed of having me as an ally defies my humble intellect. But as an altruist (of sorts) I do feel the need to give some succour to a minority religious group.

Wail and tremble for soon all the great truths of SYM will be revealled in their terrifying magnitude. For yeah it is only 15 until the end of all things, and I now have ADSL. Curdis ! Rejoice! For there is no need to renew your insurance policies.

[QUOTE=Curdis]The great C E paraphrases the most important of Anti S-word truths (I did correct some spelling though...).

Unfortunately the Darwin Awards have a long and ignoble record for promoting urban myths (hence the so strange you CAN make it up). Also, more pertinently, this incident is not a valid Darwin Awards entrant as it did not remove either party from the gene pool. This is an essential and rarely waived requirement.

For the record. I am not and have never been a member of COMM in any form. Unless Martha Stewart HAS served hard time I have no allegence to the glove puppet named Weasle what-so-ever and remain his sworn foe and nemesis.

What baptized christians have ever done to be accussed of having me as an ally defies my humble intellect. But as an altruist (of sorts) I do feel the need to give some succour to a minority religious group.

Wail and tremble for soon all the great truths of SYM will be revealled in their terrifying magnitude. For yeah it is only 15 until the end of all things, and I now have ADSL. Curdis ! Rejoice! For there is no need to renew your insurance policies.[/QUOTE]Bop! You're wierd! You did that in the other post too...

[QUOTE=Curdis] For yeah it is only 15 until the end of all things, and I now have ADSL. [/QUOTE]

You have got ADSL to you hut in the middle of the nowhere? Excellent, see you soon again then.

PS I really need a new secretary, think about it, will you? DS

I can keep a secret

@Oozae - Thanks for noticing. Although there may be more meaning in my missives than you imagine (It is so hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff around here with so many borderline lunatics and so much turgid rambling). Your name? Oozae 9 mm perhaps?

@CE - This post as secretary. Do I have to wear hose and a mini-skirt? Or am not to be a proper secretary? If you are after someone who can be incredibly rude to essentially every-one and prevent all outside access (as well as jealously hoard all stationary supplies) then I think we may be able to deal.

My ASDL is not to the hut which is now a house *thank you very much* but to my shop. I am now the purveyor of fine musical instruments in my humble burg. It was the natural extension to my existing Gear Acquisition Syndrome, kind of like the junkie stepping up to dealer. Forgive me but I must sign off.

Curdis ! Only a slim dozen yet remain to witness the end. It is the time to make rash promises which you are never likely to keep.

Welcome back and you were always a COMM Now where is my bunny?

Not a COMM, a non-COMM, the anti-weasel in fact.

[QUOTE=CM]Welcome back and you were always a COMM Now where is my bunny? [/QUOTE]
Thank you for your kind welcome CM/Fas. I am going to stop denying my allegence to COMM only because it is:

a/ So obviously not true;
b/ Boring even to me, and;
c/ Not even worth the electrons (as there is no bite to the whole dark empire shamozzle anymore anyhoo).

Cuddles first ,
Bunnies later. - Curdis ! Only eleven and the iceman cometh (or is it the ice pick man?). Don't start any novels which you hope to finish.

[QUOTE=Curdis]@CE - This post as secretary. Do I have to wear hose and a mini-skirt? Or am not to be a proper secretary? If you are after someone who can be incredibly rude to essentially every-one and prevent all outside access (as well as jealously hoard all stationary supplies) then I think we may be able to deal.[/QUOTE]

I think you'd be perfect. Someone who can spell better than I and wear a little tight hose (no shirts covering the butt is allowed) and be incredibly rude to everybody who is trying to reach me, is exactly what I need. If you can also make good coffee, it's set.

*Good* coffee?

CE,

I really must insist on the skirt, how about a compromise, I'll only wear a maid's apron.

I'm also not sure my Scandinavian spelling will be up to the job, but I can be VERY rude in Swedish verbally, so maybe I won't have to communicate further with any local trouble makers.

Now *Good* coffee that would be the sort you'd let your mother drink and allow in close proximity to children. I don't make that. I do however make *EVIL* coffee:

1st use only the freshest beans.
2nd grind before every shot.
3rd no dripolator (etc) Expresso on a gas ring only.
4th single shots only.

Flat Whites will be served if you can bear the rasied eyebrow and extremely dismissive and haughty overtones.

Requests for frothy milk abominations will be completely ignored or greeted with derisive laughter.

WARNING: consuming two in a row may cause permanent health damage. This is *not nice* coffee.

Curdis !
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