Is it possible we could all be suffering from some sort of illness because we are so obsessed with rollercoasters?
Or is it just a little gas! ;)
Seriously, though - what is it about rollercoasters that fascinate you?
Actually I think it is ALOT of gas....ooops sorry...scuse me...did i do that? Just kidding. We are the types of people who would love flying fighter jets in combat.
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What is life without it's ups and downs
***MSN Messenger = j_wdowicki@hotmail.com. ***
What makes me laugh is that people say we're "daredevils" and "stupid" for doing such a "dangerous" hobby. Then they get in their death machines, er, cars and drive home.
The real daredevil hobbies are things like skiing, skydiving and even football, where people actually *do* get hurt.
Going to be Stark Raven Mad in about 68 days :)
Seriously, though - I have not spent much time trying to figure out why coasters fascinate me, they just do. I guess the sensation of speed they give, I mean most coasters don't go as fast as a car on the highway but seem much faster. That feeling when a coaster seems to be trying to throw you out of it, is also one of the things I like, a good solid pop of airtime is the best.
I also find coasters, wooden mainly, to be aestheticaly pleasing, like great big wood sculptures or something, is that weird? I don't know.
Personally I think everybody should have something they obsess over or some kind of hobby, I mean have you ever met someone whom had no interest in anything? they are boring and bland!
(stepping down off my soapbox now)
To answer the topic, A VERY LOUD YES!!!
I got an email from a friend who does engineering along with his parents. He also had something to do with the Ukraine Air Force, not sure. He said NASA says rollercoasters are dangerous & that Fighter Pilots are *scared* to ride them due to unpredictable Gs and ruptures of organs & capillaries!! I pressed my friend further & this is what he had to say. I will get more out of him soon.
"Yeah, NASA said that rollercoasters have what they called side-g(s). Because carriages are fixed and follow a specific line, you can experience also what is called multiple g(s). This rarely happens in a plane, no-matter what the g(s) are. Average human body is capable of experiencing 4.7g and 12.5 in a G-suit. Anyway, it's kind of a long story."
Pilots experience 12Gs buy turning on a diameter of 500ft at 500mph or something like that! Now that is lunatic!
I plan to go for a joyride in jet one day. Should be the ultimate rush! You can go for a ride in a MIG29 or SU27 ('Copies' of F-15 Eagles) in Russia. This will burn ya wallet! As seen in JAG on TV.
I'm obsessed with coasters & anything that flies, full-size & model & want to become a pilot. Unfortunately I can't cos I'm deaf & can't use the radio!! Bugger. Oh well, at least I have my coasters & joyrides at a premium! ;-)
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Home Park - Wonderland Sydney, Australia.
*** This post was edited by CoasterGod on 3/2/2001. ***
Well, the thing that fascinates rollercoasters the most for me is the fact that, as a machine, they really do nothing. You get on and get off in more-or-less the same place you started. The multi-million dollar devices are pretty much worthless. On one hand, I like the feeling of freedom -- speeding through an overbanked curve or rolling right up into a zero-G roll. Those are great moment. I guess when it comes right down to it, I like going fast. Rollercoasters are one of the few ways to "go fast" and still be very safe. The feeling of the wind whipping by your face as you dive down the first drop is something I love. I guess I'm definitely going to have to get myself a convertible ;).
Well, it's surf the net and either obsess over porn, or coasters!!
And I do not want to burn in the afterlife.....
Seriously, who or what can thoroughly explain our
fanaticism; it is generally not any one factor.
The thrill of cheating death?
That old cliche "the need for speed"?
The feel of wind rushing thru your hair/wig/toupee?
Or is it the curiousity of just how long those sunglasses will stay on?
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The Northwest will Join the Best-in 2003!!!
I like the whole notion of multi-million dollar investments that are there to make me laugh. It's slightly absurd. I like that.
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
--Groucho Marx
I have to agree with Jimbo. I think they are aesthetically pleasing. Ever since I was a kid, I have been intrigued by anything that involves a fixed path, or track. Not just coasters, but trains and electric race sets, also. It is the sense of controlled adventure that fascinates me. Now THAT is weird!
I think we all like rollercoasters for the same reasons. We all have genes that make us want to be thrilled or reach new hieghts. Most of us have probably went or wants to go sky diving because it is a new thrill. Rollercoasters give us thrills we all need and want.
i going to have to say that i love roller coasters so much because i am so into engineering and arcitechture and i think that the layouts of roller coasters are really cool. I also like roller coasters so much because
THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN TO RIDE!
I totally agree with Jimbo.