People Love seeing other People in Pain

WARNING:
This post contains material and images not suitable for the young or those who have just consumed food. The stuns as described in this post are possible only at the discretion of the person attempting it and all related references made to the show/movie "Jackass" solely belongs to the creator and founder of the production. No person, animal or prominent business enterprise were harmed during the production for the content in this post.

(Insert Theme Music Here)

Title Screen and disclaimer of the show/movie "Jackass". I totally dig their symbol.

A total turnoff huh?

A couple of days ago, a bunch of crazy close buds and I decided, "hey, instead of hanging around aimlessly, lets go eat as much food as our stomachs can hold." (Well, it was actually my persistent request).

We headed to Sakae Sushi for a little afternoon buffet which proved worth both the time and money; a rough estimate of $17 for the quantity equivalent to two meals or so.

That, however, wasn't the bottom line.

About three quarters into our meal, we decided to "spice" things up and the kid within us took over. A couple of my friends decided to "dare" the rest of us to undertake and consume a vile concoction of Japanese spices (namely Wasabi and Ginger slices, due to the fact that we were in a Japanese Restaurant at that time).

"Eat this and drinks will be on me."

Awesome. Free drinks. Though consuming the concoction was pointless and somewhat treacherous, I decided to give it a go. The picture above is the result of my 3rd concoction.

Looks horrible doesn't it?

Quite awhile back, I stumbled (or was introduced, more rather) to a series entitled "Jackass" which was broadcast on MTV. It featured a group of daring (and often regarded as "crazy") people who performed crazy and often obscene stunts.

They would do things like riding bicycles up stairways, wear funny costumes down streets and during this particular episode, one of the members of the "crazy family", Steve-O, attempted to swallow a live goldfish down into his stomach which he then proceeded to vomit out, with the fish still alive and swimming. (For those interested, do a search on Youtube for little clips and snippets of various stunts)

From a media business's point of view, Jackass is a genius masterstroke. Mainly due to the fact that it operates on a very simple theory in business; Low costs, High profits.

Why is this so?

A lecturer of mine managed to shed some light on the reason as to why the show was able to do so well;

People Love seeing other People in Pain.

And in retrospect to what he told us, I found truth in that statement which I subject to the human nature. I guess in a way, the human behavior yields humor in seeing other people getting hurt, a satisfaction of sorts.

Yea. As compared to the stuff on Jackass, I'm sure what I pulled off back at the Japanese restaurant is insignificant. But there was one other major difference too.

The people who star in Jackass actually enjoy being there. They enjoy getting hurt, they enjoy doing stuff people would consider stupid and most importantly, they enjoy whatever they're doing.

To them, the greatest reward isn't money, fame or anything physical. It is the satisfaction of being able to complete a stunt and laugh their butts off while doing so.

To the normal majority, it may seem like stupidity but I feel that its something deeper. Its about enjoying something you do and getting a huge laugh out of it. This also constitutes to being different, stepping and standing out and making a point. And for this fact, I admire the guys from Jackass.

Sure life isn't by any means, a joke. But it isn't an emotional void either.

The greatest reward isn't physical and as in my case, I'm sure that without the reward of drinks on the house, I wouldn't even want to consider sampling the concoction. In a way, this is something that the seemingly "crazy" guys from Jackass understand, giving reason to whatever they're doing.

To me, the only thing that replicates such an attitude is the sole reason to the fabrication of my bucketlist, which by the way, is recently updated and can be viewed here, http://metallic-stains.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-like-well-new-goal-in-life.html

The society has a perception that "doing something different and stupid is totally pointless and outcast".

I feel that we should develop our own perceptions and look beyond the surface and be less superficial. Release our filters and stereotypical perceptions as the world should be embraced with its full purpose.

Alright, I'll stop here for now; plenty to digest I'm sure (no pun intended).

Remember to check back soon for updates not forgetting articles. The new semester is about the unfold and personally, there's no better time for it.

Cya'll later.