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News & ArtsFriday, January 25, 2013
Life Yeah, Yeah—People Are Awesome
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Watching this video because my brain needed a break...
...and, yeah, people are awesome. There are lot of these videos out there, and they can make you numb to how awesome people can be. Even cynical. And then 1:30 comes along. (Via Sullivan.)
2
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the clip at 1:30 is for sure a fake: http://www.snopes.com/photos/advertiseme…
3
As a man who wouldn't jump off a building, cliff, or bridge, let me say this: I think the reason you don't see many women in this video is because most women aren't dumb enough to try most of the shit that is shown in this video.
5
For every successful stunt, there's twenty concussions, broken teeth, busted knees, etc. But it's still incredible to watch.
7
Besides, @3, it's more fun to jump off the Rocky Mountains in a hang glider or flying suit (try near Kaslo, BC)
8
@1, @3: circus arts are full of stunts risking paralysis and death, and are dominated by female athletes. As for daredevil stunts, I think there are cultural reasons those seem to be male dominated.
The trick with the hoop was quite impressive.
The trick with the hoop was quite impressive.
9
Yeah there's a couple of those that are fake CGI.
Though the ones featuring Damien Walters are all too real. That guy is incredible. And an all round nice dude. In fact he would make an excellent interview for The Stranger (hint. hint.).
Though the ones featuring Damien Walters are all too real. That guy is incredible. And an all round nice dude. In fact he would make an excellent interview for The Stranger (hint. hint.).
12
Ya, to that point, I only saw an endless reel of (mainly) jocks doing stunts. It's too bad the whole video wasn't the little skateboarder.
Ya, to that point, I only saw an endless reel of (mainly) jocks doing stunts. It's too bad the whole video wasn't the little skateboarder.
13
Tehanu @1, true equality will not be when all fields and achievements have exact demographic representation [e.g. 51% of the population is female, then 51% of stunt footage features females]. While some women are stronger than some men, men [as a population] are stronger than women [as a population].
Also, I am often tempted to agree with Dan @3 that women are more sensible than men [I've never seen a group of women goad each other into gulping 800,000 Scoville heat unit hot sauce].
Also also, I really want the one-legged soccer goal around 3:30 to be real.
Also, I am often tempted to agree with Dan @3 that women are more sensible than men [I've never seen a group of women goad each other into gulping 800,000 Scoville heat unit hot sauce].
Also also, I really want the one-legged soccer goal around 3:30 to be real.
14
@6
---
Thanks for the link. It shows baseball player Evan Longoria "catching" a foul ball to avoid the reporter being bonked on the noggin.
I know so little about baseball that when I quickly scanned the headline I thought it said Eva Longoria. I was like: "What is that girl from Desperate Housewives doing catching a baseball??
---
Thanks for the link. It shows baseball player Evan Longoria "catching" a foul ball to avoid the reporter being bonked on the noggin.
I know so little about baseball that when I quickly scanned the headline I thought it said Eva Longoria. I was like: "What is that girl from Desperate Housewives doing catching a baseball??
15
oh shut up @1
Men have higher risk-taking behaviors for a lot of complex reasons (some even genetic, and, OH SHIT, evolutionary!! I know some people can't handle that behaviors differ in sexes for genetic reasons, but, get over it) that are socially reinforced to this day.
Men have higher risk-taking behaviors for a lot of complex reasons (some even genetic, and, OH SHIT, evolutionary!! I know some people can't handle that behaviors differ in sexes for genetic reasons, but, get over it) that are socially reinforced to this day.
16
I've jumped from one building to another. As a kid I jumped from single story house to single story house. As an adult I jumped from a 4 story to a 3 story in Los Angeles. Yes, it was stupid, but man it was fun. I still love activities that make you stay in the moment: white water; cliff diving; surfing....
And, the young man and his skateboard at 1:30 was wonderful!
And, the young man and his skateboard at 1:30 was wonderful!
17
Do we have to have an argument about biological determinism here? Jesus, sometimes it seems a liberal arts education can fuck up a wet dream. Enjoy the fucking clip.
18
@6 It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
.
.
.
(Then it's just a game: "Find the Eye!")
:)
.
.
.
(Then it's just a game: "Find the Eye!")
:)
19
"Tehanu @1, true equality will not be when all fields and achievements have exact demographic representation"
Yeah, my comment wasn't about men's higher propensity to do stunts, it was about the generic word "people" being used when it should actually have been "men." Not a big deal, but just saying that when I read "people are awesome" I kinda assumed it was about, you know, people.
"oh shut up @1"
And hugs and big wet smoochy kisses to you too.
Yeah, my comment wasn't about men's higher propensity to do stunts, it was about the generic word "people" being used when it should actually have been "men." Not a big deal, but just saying that when I read "people are awesome" I kinda assumed it was about, you know, people.
"oh shut up @1"
And hugs and big wet smoochy kisses to you too.
23
Although it's not nearly as dangerous as the other stunts, I was impressed by Rohan Ajit Kokane, the little kid roller skating under the cars. A couple years later, and a little bigger, he set a Guiness world record. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k68lX7IUh…
24
@22, if the clip had been only women doing amazing things, and had been called "people are awesome", you'd bet your ass someone had piped up "but that's not people, it's women!"
Men are people, women are women, according to society's norm. Which makes it relevant to point out when someone calls a clip comprised of all men "People are awesome".
Men are people, women are women, according to society's norm. Which makes it relevant to point out when someone calls a clip comprised of all men "People are awesome".
25
Also, there are examples of women-people doing awesome, risky stunts. You just have to search for "girl stunt biker", or "girl skater" or similar. Since, girls are girls, not people.
27
@13: The kid on crutches scoring the soccer goal IS real. Great story: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/…
28
Never say something like "people are awesome", Dan. The very first commenter will pop up and prove you wrong every time.
And I agree with #5, these are just Darwin Awards waiting to happen.
And I agree with #5, these are just Darwin Awards waiting to happen.
30
I hate hate hate when actual real stunts are spliced together with cheap FX. The real stuff is so beautiful.
Here's a hint, FX kids-- objects in the air can't suddenly accelerate upwards. Angular momentum is a beautiful thing, but 60 years of research have failed to produce gyroscopic flying saucers.
Here's a hint, FX kids-- objects in the air can't suddenly accelerate upwards. Angular momentum is a beautiful thing, but 60 years of research have failed to produce gyroscopic flying saucers.
32
For those complaining about wanting to see women do awesome things let me introduce you to two great websites: Google and YouTube.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
33
@31 - Actually, there is evidence that men are biologically wired to be less risk-averse. Do you have some refutation of this or do you just like to be a dismissive jerk?
34
My daughter's in this one! at 1:15. Though not jumping off building, just doing her every day circus gig. Which is awesome.
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