Why we love to blow stuff up.
I've always found it interesting how the celebration of our independence has fueled a rich, time-honored tradition of blowing stuff up.
Not just on one day, but for days preceding the 4th and for days following the 4th. For a few days, it also becomes perfectly acceptable to allow your toddler to wander around with a crackling, flaming stick among other toddlers with crackling, flaming sticks. The tradition of fireworks is an incredible marketing success story and proof that it's content that really matters. There's no need for image advertising that aims to convince people that fireworks are cool — you just have to blow the damn things up.
Interestingly, it seems that even our national space program is not strong enough to resist the attraction of blowing stuff up. Hmm. Somehow, blowing up rocks in space seems miles away from the heady ideals of JFK and planetary exploration. But again, it's pretty cool to blow stuff up.
For an interesting take on NASA's rock blasting, podcasting and a few other topics, visit Amanda Congdon over at Rocketboom .
Not just on one day, but for days preceding the 4th and for days following the 4th. For a few days, it also becomes perfectly acceptable to allow your toddler to wander around with a crackling, flaming stick among other toddlers with crackling, flaming sticks. The tradition of fireworks is an incredible marketing success story and proof that it's content that really matters. There's no need for image advertising that aims to convince people that fireworks are cool — you just have to blow the damn things up.
Interestingly, it seems that even our national space program is not strong enough to resist the attraction of blowing stuff up. Hmm. Somehow, blowing up rocks in space seems miles away from the heady ideals of JFK and planetary exploration. But again, it's pretty cool to blow stuff up.
For an interesting take on NASA's rock blasting, podcasting and a few other topics, visit Amanda Congdon over at Rocketboom .
posted by Dean Gemmell at 6:32 AM
2 Comments:
Heh heh. I was thinking the same thing about toddlers and sparklers. "Here, darling, go light yourself and your little friends on fire and jab each others eyes out!"
Dogs and fireworks are also frightening. Nasty combination.
Gerah,
I saw the post on your blog about the 4th right after I read about the NASA meteor smash. Nice work.
Dean
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