• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Help needed for TAM Talent Show skit

MattusMaximus

Intellectual Gladiator
MattusMaximus
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
15,948
Howdy all,

My submission for a physics & skepticism demonstration at TAM has now been officially accepted. And now I must plan, so I am here to ask for assistance...

I need to get some equipment to Las Vegas, or I need to borrow said equipment while there. I require the following items:

-- cinder blocks
-- a heavy sledgehammer (two handed)
-- a bed of nails
-- a second bed of nails
-- face mask

It all goes together like this...



Now, I have access to all of these at home (north of Chicago), and I can ship the damn things. But if these items are in the vicinity of LV, then it might be much easier to use those than have me ship these across the country.

If anyone can provide suggestions and/or assistance, on either providing items in LV or shipping them, please send me a PM. And thank you in advance - I'll be sure to give you a front row seat so that you may personally enjoy the blood splatter! :D

Cheers - MM

ETA: Before you ask, I already have an assistant. Arthwollipot has graciously offered to wield the sledgehammer in my skit. I know that many of you would like to swing a sledgehammer into my guts, but too bad - Arth gets the honor :p
 
Last edited:
:D

While we're at it, everyone who wants to learn how to tear a phone book in half should bring one of those too. I'll be tearing books at the party after the show.
 
I'm driving down and have a 10 lb sledge with a 36" handle I can bring.
 
I don't know why you're bothering. My act of dropping my trousers and "doing the helicopter" is a sure bet to win. Unfortunately, I can't make it to TAM so I'll be doing it over Webcam which the JREF have agreed to project onto a giant screen. Brace yourself... ;)

Cheers,

Chris
 
You could ask Dr Adequate. He confided in me that Articulett does this to him each time he leaves the toilet seat up.
 
arthwollipot said:
:D

While we're at it, everyone who wants to learn how to tear a phone book in half should bring one of those too. I'll be tearing books at the party after the show.
Click to expand...

No Need. Every room has a phone book in it. Right next to the Gideon Bible. :D
 
I'd suggest a visit to one of the many nearby Home Depot stores in Las Vegas if you are confident that you can safely build beds of nails. They also have cinder blocks real cheap $1.17 each. Although, you might end up spending money on an extra power drill that you'd either give away or have to check at the airport.
 
The Central Scrutinizer said:
You damn fool, you're going to kill yourself!
Click to expand...

Not to scare away my fellow talent show competitor, but there is a small chance of death.

The atoms of the cinderblock, like all atoms, are constantly on the move. There is a small but non-zero chance that at the exact moment of the sledge strike, the atoms could line up very neatly one on top of the other and form a makeshift cinderblock spike.

Good luck :D
 
Oh yeah, that reminds me, Mattus. With regards to sledgehammer technique, is there anything in particular that I need to do in order to smash the block? Is it just a matter of whacking it as hard as I can?
 
arthwollipot said:
Oh yeah, that reminds me, Mattus. With regards to sledgehammer technique, is there anything in particular that I need to do in order to smash the block? Is it just a matter of whacking it as hard as I can?
Click to expand...

You don't actually hit the block. It's all done with mirrors.
 
arthwollipot said:
Oh yeah, that reminds me, Mattus. With regards to sledgehammer technique, is there anything in particular that I need to do in order to smash the block? Is it just a matter of whacking it as hard as I can?
Click to expand...

Yes, there is more to it than that. Control is a big issue, because if you follow through too much and smash the hammer into the top bed of nails, there could be one less physics teacher to do the demo. Not to mention, you want to make sure you hit the target :)

Don't worry. With some practice, you'll get the gist of it. Just make sure you're sober at the time - wait until after the show to party!
 
KingMerv00 said:
Not to scare away my fellow talent show competitor, but there is a small chance of death.
Click to expand...

True. But the more likely scenario in case of a colossal screw-up is severe injury - perhaps a large number of puncture wounds and possibly a collapsed lung if I get really unlucky and a nail makes it past my ribs.

Full disclosure: I have done this demo where it screws-up... fortunately in those cases the only damage done to me was blunt force trauma. Imagine getting kicked in the chest/stomach by a horse and you'll get the idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom