Some things are completely and utterly absurd. And while they are perhaps funny, nothing awesome in and of itself is happening. They are merely stupid. The idea of awe is an entirely different concept which can very rarely be seen coming. It can even make history if it takes place in the right context. However, sometimes the two things meet in precisely equal measures and some kind of magical alchemy occurs which simply defies analysis. Well, despite that, here's some analysis........
1. Soundtracks of the 1980's
I was tempted to put the entire 1980's in here to be honest but then I thought about Howard the Duck, Alf and Dallas. Dreadful. So it's just soundtracks. I cannot think of a single 80's soundtrack that doesn't fit the TV show or film it's attached to perfectly. It's true accross the board, whether it be a show about an unlikely group of mercenaries operating within the United States, a film about a Nazi punching archeologist or even a Three Musketeers adaptation told with dogs. The soundtracks are all absolutely ridiculous not to mention brilliant! In no way do they work outside of the contest they were meant to be heard in, but before youtube came along they never were! I'm not sure whether it was the shoulder pads or the cocaine, but whatever it was, things have never been quite as all out awesome since. Sure, you can point out any Clint Mansell soundtrack and say it's 'better' than the theme to the fall guy. And it would be. But I know what I'd rather listen to if I was a stuntman/detective chasing a kidnapper along the roof of a moving train.
2. Formula One
We take Formula One for granted. It just 'is'. We never imagine a world without it because it's always been there right? Well actually no, and if you really think about it and look at the ingredients that make up Formula One, it's completely insane It's safety record is questionable at best and accidents happen on and off the track. No normal person would think it was a sensible idea to do this. If you were to pitch the idea of multi-million pound teams using drivers with no apparent regard for their own personal safety and an insatiable lust for winning (or sometimes just insatiable lust) racing cutting edge cars around the streets of Monaco you'd be told to politely 'absolutely not under any circumstances'. But because of the awesome factor we just don't seem to care. And nor should we. F1 is nothing if not spectacular. Some people love the racing and some weird people (with anger issues) love the crashes. But whatever the reason, it's great entertainment and an absolutely awesome spectacle.
3. Mixed Martial Arts
It was related to me recently by a massive fan of the sport that no one really needs to be a cage fighter! There are all sorts of reasons for the popularity of MMA, not only for spectators but also for the fighters themselves. I think it basically comes down to a chance to be involved in the only situation where you can legally choke someone unconcsious. Most people would like to choke out a co-worker or kick a shop assistant on a daily basis, well these guys get to act on that impulse and they actually get paid for it. I bet you're regretting that career in management systems analysis right about now? Go home and punch a pillow big man. Otherwise..........
Two men fighting inside a cage is absurd. Yet give these very same simple ingredients to the UFC and you get something awesome! What other sport could have given us Bas Rutten? MMA is as violent as Mad Max and much less destructive than a riot. Also I can't watch a riot in my front room, unless something has gone really, really wrong.
4. Wing Suits
There's not really anything I can say about this, other than, if you think the awesome outweighs the absurd in this equation you probably have some kind of death wish. And I don't mean in a Charles Bronson way, I mean in a Mohamed Atta kind of way. On the Awesome side of things you get to feel like Batman, now think about how absurd that is.
5. Drinking
Ah drinking. Now, I might be a spectator when it comes to Formula One, MMA and Wingsuits but I have seen things you people would not believe when it comes to this one (including a man being tebagged on the end of a bar whilst unconcsious, he now manages the same bar). I have reached the conclusion that whilst being utterly absurd, drinking is awesome in away that is greater than the sum of its poisonous parts. There is no state other than drunk when you would take an invitation to become involved in 'fight club' at face value and then STILL think it sounds like a good idea. Drinking is the way most people solidify friendships among their peer group. It's also the condition under which many people take their first tentative steps towards forming romantic relationships. However, while you might form lasting bonds with other human beings, you might also form lasting scars on your body due to your own rampant stupidity. It's fine to enter a vomitting contest, but you probably shouldn't attempt skateboarding or international travel. I have learned all of these lessons the hard way.
