Forums > Social Discussion > What is the state of poi's recognition/popularity currently?
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Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
Okay, a hard question to answer, especially for those of us new to the hobby or for those who live in more isolated locations and don't know many other spinners. But what is the overall state of poi as compared to say five or ten or more years ago? Are there more or less people doing it in say the last year or two compared to farther back? I'm very new to poi, but am aware that like all things, trends ebb and flow with the passing of time. Unless mistaken, I've gathered that this forum used to have a far larger community from what people have mentioned and also digging through threads from '03 and '06. And also take into consideration that different countries and communities will have different levels of interest in the art at any time. So this question really goes out to the few people here who have been on this site consistently for that much time or for people who have been spinning for a very long time.
EDITED_BY: brenonfire413 (1266774248)
Okay, a hard question to answer, especially for those of us new to the hobby or for those who live in more isolated locations and don't know many other spinners. But what is the overall state of poi as compared to say five or ten or more years ago? Are there more or less people doing it in say the last year or two compared to farther back? I'm very new to poi, but am aware that like all things, trends ebb and flow with the passing of time. Unless mistaken, I've gathered that this forum used to have a far larger community from what people have mentioned and also digging through threads from '03 and '06. And also take into consideration that different countries and communities will have different levels of interest in the art at any time. So this question really goes out to the few people here who have been on this site consistently for that much time or for people who have been spinning for a very long time.
EDITED_BY: brenonfire413 (1266774248)
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
addict
413 posts
413 posts
GOLD Member
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posted:
Oh, phew. I usually pick up on a trend at around the same time everyone else does, so it's nice to see that I'm coming in at the dying end of one for a change.
Oh, phew. I usually pick up on a trend at around the same time everyone else does, so it's nice to see that I'm coming in at the dying end of one for a change.
p|.q|r:|::s|.s|s:|:.s|q.|:p|s.|.p|s
SILVER Member
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
Oh cool, thanks. Pictures FTW!
Yeah it's just like punk rock, by the time I could really appreciate it the 90's were over and all the best small bands were on the decline, breaking up or selling out completely. It's still out there, but in a much different face so to speak.
In a way that's a good thing, because once something gets too much recognition, people that want in only for name's sake dilute the presence and spirit of the hobby. Think of how many kids walk around all day holding skateboards but on close inspection the decks are always pristine and never torn up.
Oh cool, thanks. Pictures FTW!
Yeah it's just like punk rock, by the time I could really appreciate it the 90's were over and all the best small bands were on the decline, breaking up or selling out completely. It's still out there, but in a much different face so to speak.
In a way that's a good thing, because once something gets too much recognition, people that want in only for name's sake dilute the presence and spirit of the hobby. Think of how many kids walk around all day holding skateboards but on close inspection the decks are always pristine and never torn up.
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
GOLD Member
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
Posted:
Yay, I feel special lol. I think it caught more in Europe and of course Texas, than where I am. The most I'v heard of other people doing fir things here was my cousin once saw what he described to me and I identified as fire rope dart on the streets in Detroit. Although I did find a group of circus performers that hold open practices every Monday that I plan on going to in the summer
Yay, I feel special lol. I think it caught more in Europe and of course Texas, than where I am. The most I'v heard of other people doing fir things here was my cousin once saw what he described to me and I identified as fire rope dart on the streets in Detroit. Although I did find a group of circus performers that hold open practices every Monday that I plan on going to in the summer
The only luck is bad luck.
Shut up before I stall my poi up your ass
GOLD Member
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posted:
It's pretty big in Seattle, though it's concentrated mostly within the Burning Man and rave community. Many people will have at least seen fire spinning if they don't know someone who does it.
It's pretty big in Seattle, though it's concentrated mostly within the Burning Man and rave community. Many people will have at least seen fire spinning if they don't know someone who does it.
p|.q|r:|::s|.s|s:|:.s|q.|:p|s.|.p|s
SILVER Member
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
Out in this forsaken land, poi would only be popular if they were sold at Wal Mart or if their was some biblical interpretation of jesus or one of his apostles spinning. Such not being the case it's pretty rare. And yeah there's plenty of Texas spinners but that's a good five hour drive to the closest large city (Dallas) which would be worth it for a big event, but not to spend the afternoon!
Out in this forsaken land, poi would only be popular if they were sold at Wal Mart or if their was some biblical interpretation of jesus or one of his apostles spinning. Such not being the case it's pretty rare. And yeah there's plenty of Texas spinners but that's a good five hour drive to the closest large city (Dallas) which would be worth it for a big event, but not to spend the afternoon!
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
SILVER Member
Unofficial Chairperson of Squirrel Defense League
4,061 posts
Location: South Africa
Unofficial Chairperson of Squirrel Defense League
4,061 posts
Location: South Africa
Posted:
Not that big as a community in RSA, although there are a fair few good people around. Most of them do not get online, sadly.
Not that big as a community in RSA, although there are a fair few good people around. Most of them do not get online, sadly.
'We're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad." [said the Cat.]
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "Or you wouldn't have come here."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland
GOLD Member
enthusiast
324 posts
Location: SouthDakota, USA
enthusiast
324 posts
Location: SouthDakota, USA
Posted:
I don't know anyone in my region that's really into poi. But I kinda live in the middle of no where so yeah...
I don't know anyone in my region that's really into poi. But I kinda live in the middle of no where so yeah...
Listen to Your heartbeat and dance...
SILVER Member
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
It seems quite a few of us here live in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately there's places like here and the many many YouTube tutorials to teach tricks and show what others have come up with.
It seems quite a few of us here live in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately there's places like here and the many many YouTube tutorials to teach tricks and show what others have come up with.
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
the state of this board (# of active members posting) might less be a reflection on the popularity of poi (within the english-speaking community) on this planet but rather a reflection of the popularity of WoW, FB and individual blogs...
the state of this board (# of active members posting) might less be a reflection on the popularity of poi (within the english-speaking community) on this planet but rather a reflection of the popularity of WoW, FB and individual blogs...
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
stranger by the day
924 posts
Location: At the Back of the North Wind
924 posts
Location: At the Back of the North Wind
Posted:
how does WoW come into it?
Does hop have a guild going or something?
how does WoW come into it?
Does hop have a guild going or something?
Just a dancer in the dark
GOLD Member
enthusiast
324 posts
Location: SouthDakota, USA
enthusiast
324 posts
Location: SouthDakota, USA
Posted:
That would be interesting if it did. I don't play WoW myself but like watching others play. I scare myself sometimes with how much I know about it.
That would be interesting if it did. I don't play WoW myself but like watching others play. I scare myself sometimes with how much I know about it.
Listen to Your heartbeat and dance...
SILVER Member
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
A Spinner character class perhaps? Good idea FT! I've never played WoW, had a roomie who did and that was enough exposure to turn me off to the game. Screw that, I spin poi to avoid getting caught up in those kinds of past times!
A Spinner character class perhaps? Good idea FT! I've never played WoW, had a roomie who did and that was enough exposure to turn me off to the game. Screw that, I spin poi to avoid getting caught up in those kinds of past times!
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
SILVER Member
20% more: DIET ASBESTOS©
34 posts
Location: Lower Mantle, USA
20% more: DIET ASBESTOS©
34 posts
Location: Lower Mantle, USA
Posted:
Originally Posted By: brenonfire413Screw that, I spin poi to avoid getting caught up in those kinds of past times!
My sentiments exactly!
...annnnyways, over here in NC most people have never heard or seen poi spinning. Which is cool, because it is easy to blow minds, but sucks because I'm spinning in a vacuum (metaphorically of course )
Outside of the party/rave/festival scene around here, poi is an unknown term.
Originally Posted By: brenonfire413Screw that, I spin poi to avoid getting caught up in those kinds of past times!
My sentiments exactly!
...annnnyways, over here in NC most people have never heard or seen poi spinning. Which is cool, because it is easy to blow minds, but sucks because I'm spinning in a vacuum (metaphorically of course
)Outside of the party/rave/festival scene around here, poi is an unknown term.
GOLD Member
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
Posted:
^^Da dada daaa! That'd be me too. Wait! I completely forgot the other people who went to Germany with me saw fire spinning once while we were there. And that would be my homedawg Lukas
But yeah, no spinning here except for the Detroit Fire guild which consists of a small group of performers for this one circus that I don't know about because last time I looked at the website it wasn't finished. But they have a little over 200 fans on Facebook so that's most the spinners in MI probably
I absolutely can't wait for the summer! I want to see someone else spin fire soooo badly! And to spin with someone would be amazing! And I could even have my nerdy poi talk with other people
^^Da dada daaa! That'd be me too. Wait! I completely forgot the other people who went to Germany with me saw fire spinning once while we were there. And that would be my homedawg Lukas
But yeah, no spinning here except for the Detroit Fire guild which consists of a small group of performers for this one circus that I don't know about because last time I looked at the website it wasn't finished. But they have a little over 200 fans on Facebook so that's most the spinners in MI probably
I absolutely can't wait for the summer! I want to see someone else spin fire soooo badly! And to spin with someone would be amazing! And I could even have my nerdy poi talk with other people
The only luck is bad luck.
Shut up before I stall my poi up your ass
GOLD Member
Almost again
124 posts
Location: Finland
Almost again
124 posts
Location: Finland
Posted:
I'm a middle-of-nowhere-er aswell. Nobody here knows what poi is, and I only found out about it by random chance on Youtube aswell.
I'm a middle-of-nowhere-er aswell. Nobody here knows what poi is, and I only found out about it by random chance on Youtube aswell.
SILVER Member
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Fire Spinner Exarch
514 posts
Location: New Orleans, LA United States, USA
Posted:
See, and people claim that the internet is only good for porn and Ebay! None of this would have been possible otherwise. If it wasn't for HoP and all the other resources online poi would probably be "that one really cool performance I saw at that one thing" I was kind of surprised when I did a google search and found out that this is basically the premiere forum on poi.
See, and people claim that the internet is only good for porn and Ebay! None of this would have been possible otherwise. If it wasn't for HoP and all the other resources online poi would probably be "that one really cool performance I saw at that one thing" I was kind of surprised when I did a google search and found out that this is basically the premiere forum on poi.
"Are you sure it's safe to drink bleach?"
"Yes, bleach is 90% water, we are 90% water, therefore: we are bleach."
-Nathan Explosion, Metalocalypse
i dream in circles...
336 posts
Location: Scotland
336 posts
Location: Scotland
Posted:
highlands of scotland myself, as far as I know there are only a handfull of spinners in the country that are beyond 'intermediate'
EDITED_BY: liquidtrance (1267299893)
highlands of scotland myself, as far as I know there are only a handfull of spinners in the country that are beyond 'intermediate'
EDITED_BY: liquidtrance (1267299893)
even chuck norris can't pin you down if your on fire
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
try living in gloucester a rural city in the middle of no were try finding somone who intermediate and it will lead u to me me and oh me
try living in gloucester a rural city in the middle of no were try finding somone who intermediate and it will lead u to me me and oh me
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
GOLD Member
Poi Master Smurf
343 posts
Location: Tacoma, Washington, USA
Poi Master Smurf
343 posts
Location: Tacoma, Washington, USA
Posted:
Seattle is pretty decent for spinners as Sister Eleven mentioned. But an hour south the only people i know are my friends. I know theirs a few more spinners around but I cant seem to find them. At the same time I've heard of high school kids getting into it (because of raves I think, that's how I started) so it isnt entirely unknown.
Seattle is pretty decent for spinners as Sister Eleven mentioned. But an hour south the only people i know are my friends. I know theirs a few more spinners around but I cant seem to find them. At the same time I've heard of high school kids getting into it (because of raves I think, that's how I started) so it isnt entirely unknown.
Fly High
Spin Hard
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