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Post by EGBFan on May 2, 2007 4:49:38 GMT -4
I'm posting this in fan projects, because I am constantly wanting to know this stuff for stories.
Item # 1: happy-slapping
Would a New Yorker know what I meant?
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Post by Dr. Vincent Belmont on May 2, 2007 18:10:47 GMT -4
I'm posting this in fan projects, because I am constantly wanting to know this stuff for stories. Item # 1: happy-slapping Would a New Yorker know what I meant? Well, I'm not a New Yorker, but I've never even heard of "Happy-Slapping." I looked it up. It seems to primarily be a European fad. From what I understand, people are assaulted on camera as a form of practical joke. Things like that get you arrested in America...no questions asked. I recently discovered an American series of DVDs called "Bum Fights," (I realize the word "bum" has a different meaning from its British predecessor) in which individuals are recorded attacking homeless without provocation for entertainment (the sickest things seem to amuse people). I imagine this "happy-slapping" is similar.
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Post by EGBFan on May 3, 2007 6:33:15 GMT -4
That is absolutely correct. You get arrested for that sort of thing in the UK as well (of course you do) - it has become an increasing problem over here with the growing popularity of mobile phones.
The really dumb thing is that it's so unnecessary - if phones and digital cameras didn't have short video features, no one would be able to happy-slap anybody. I bought a seriously cheap digital camera after Christmas that can capture thirty seconds of silent video footage, which isn't really a lot of use for anything. As my family all pointed out, the only thing you can really use it for is happy-slapping.
The way I understand it, happy-slappers pick their victims randomly - just anyone who looks defenceless and would look funny getting smacked around on poor quality video. I've never heard of it leading to serious injury (not that I'm saying that makes it any more admirable), but that's not to say it never does - I just don't know.
Well, anyway, thanks for that. I really just wanted to know if a British character would have to explain what he meant by "happy-slapping" (or possibly "happy-slapper") to an American character - guess the answer's yes.
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BlackMaria
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Sharpening the Fence Posts
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Post by BlackMaria on May 3, 2007 22:42:57 GMT -4
Some sickos post the assault & batter human beings on YouTube, as if it's an positive accomplishment.
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