Forums > Social Chat > Poll for fire perfomers

Posted: 2nd Dec 2003
not a very nice thing for those people to say.
although.....it would add to the entertainment in a twisted sort of way

Posted: 2nd Dec 2003
Some people feel the need to talk even when there's nothing sensible to say, and they feel uncomfortable saying anything positive; if they're watching a fire performer it'll be 'set yourself on fire!', if it's a unicyclist it'll be ''fall off'.

I'm sure they don't mean it.

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32


Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!

Posted: 2nd Dec 2003
I would say a low number are just there to see someone burn themselves, if any.

People like to see others in pain, and relish in their misery and mistakes. Some do it as a mockery because they want everyone to clearly know that they are cooler than everybody else! Others do it out of more of a curiousity. I think that's more what we're talking about here. Society has a fixation with action, gore, and violence. Those people that say things like, "I hope she catches herself on fire," are the same people that watch "RealTV" and "Cops." (2 somewhat reality based shows here in the states)

They are intrigued by seeing someone burn up or seeing horrendous car crashes. These folks also like action movies. In the movies, you get special effects and these fantastic awe inspiring explosions and intense adrenaline pumping suspenseful scenes. Seeing someone light themselves on fire in person may not have the special effects, but it's REAL, making it even more suspensful and to watch. Get's more adrenaline goin because now you are realistically concerned about the persons well being. For the most part, i don't think they genuinely want the person to get hurt, but it's that part of us that likes gore and violence that inspires such remarks, I'm sure.

On that note, I don't really fall into that category. I'm not one for violence and action movies or "Cops."

"We can't stop here! This is bat country!"

"Welcome to the U-S-A,
We'll treat you right, unless you're black or gay, or Cherokeeeeee!!"
-Brian Griffin from "Family Guy" (the dog)

Posted: 2nd Dec 2003
i'm pretty sure some people also would rather a performer can do something they can't dangerously and seemingly irresponsibly, than professionally and well pulled off. That way they can shrug it off as something not worth doing.

Posted: 2nd Dec 2003
I've heard it a few times.
There are things to concider. The performer was a female...how many people there were girls saying it? I find that girls in the crowd tend to react more unpleasantly towards performers if they are female. The performer is drawing attention from all the men in the crowd away from the girls.

Drunkeness. How many of the people saying it were drunk? Me bet is most. Which means they had no control over their mouths.

Next is ego. If you watch the people who say that crap, they are the "life of the party..center of attention" types. They need some way to get attention. Making a joke out of the fact they are being shown up (unintentionally) is a way to cope while trying to steal attention.

And finally there are those sick freaks who really do want to see it. I have come across one or two of those in my day.

It happens at every show. Whether or not they say it, there is someone who thinks it. There is always someone who doesn't like what we do, thinks they can do it better or secretly longs for us to mess up. The concept of no longer being tall man on the totem pole is a strong motivation for people acting like arses.

As a performer it is about how we deal with it, and the best way is to do so with dignity and decorum as a professional and let them think what they want. In the scope of our lives, they are nothing. In the end, we come out on top. We get the attention and we don't light ourselves on fire (at least unintentionally, hopefully) and give them the satisfaction. What a better way to shut them up than to get off the stage with a gracious bow and smile?

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK

Posted: 3rd Dec 2003
And if the performer really did get injured how many of them would be puking their little heads off in the corner?

All mouth and no trousers: there are very few who would genuinely like to see someone hurt, the rest just say crap because of the various reasons Pele put forwards, but they still need to be beaten with a pair of beamers.

There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.

Posted: 3rd Dec 2003
I personally hate home video shows that thrive on other ppls pain and I would be doing the personal manta of "please be safe...please be safe"

So far the audiences I have spun for have been older women and family so they are all happy to hold the wet towel of safety and never want to have to use it.
Someone put a link to a porn page on this BB where there was a vid of some poor sod who caught on fire while breathing. It was disgusting the number of audience who laughed.

Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

Im in a lonely battle with the world with a fish to match the chip on my shoulder. Gnu in Binnu in a cnu

Posted: 3rd Dec 2003
About the tv shows...I can think of one that sums it all up....

Jacka$$


Johnny Knoxville, Bam, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, Steve-O and a few others gained extreme fame and notoriety by doing stuff which injured themselves and people found it funny (okay, some of the stuff wasn't hurtful but just so stupid it was funny). The movie sold out show after show. And to top it off they ended up with public support from pop icons like Tony Hawke, who people really want to emmulate. People watch not hoping they will hurt themselves, but knowing they will.

However, in a twisted stretch of the world, I am glad people have that facination as it helps to keep me in business. Like I said, they just won't get the blood they want. For that they can pay too much money to go see Jim Rose.

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK