Hacker News Reader

Comment by pkdpic | Hacker News Reader

TODR > Logic dictates that indiscriminately firing a gun into the air is probably not a great idea.

I'm sold. I'll never fire that gun I don't own into the air randomly like a psychotic toddler again. But I will feel better about staying inside on all those crazy PTSD inducing holidays to avoid stray bullet rain.

Side rant, why are holidays that are oriented around celebrating events credited to military personnel perfectly designed to exacerbate some of the most common chronic psychological ailments of military personnel?

Asking for a friend.

View on HN

My personal theory on celebratory fireworks for national events is that they are specifically intended to create a long lasting association between the sounds of war and the feeling of patriotism. When war breaks out, and someone is used to fireworks already, then the sounds are a bit less scary and maybe they even feel some psychological response of patriotism, planted by the various firework shows they've been to in past holidays. Of course once someone has actually seen war firsthand then they are going to have an entirely different set of psychological responses to those sounds.

If this is true it'd be brilliant. I was prepared to adopt your theory myself, but figured I should at least google it first and that brought me to this: https://www.history.com/news/july-4-fireworks-independence-d...

It says John Adams wrote:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America...I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

It seems he was advocating for celebratory gunfire! The article goes on to say: "[fireworks] would become an increasingly important part of the festivities in the years to come, as public safety concerns caused cannon and gunfire to be gradually phased out of celebrations."

Doesn't disprove your theory (cannon and gun fire would probably be even more effective than fireworks) so I'm adopting it. I'll be sure to spread it around the next time I'm attending a fireworks shew! It also suggests we should have learned our lesson about celebratory gunfire centuries ago, but I guess some people are so slow that even after all this time they still haven't caught on.

I think 'Gun' in the John Adam's quote refers to cannons.

That's likely true.

However, it is worth considering that loading firearms of that era without a projectile was trivial, requiring no special materials or advance preparation (just wadding), and was arguably easier than loading them with one. The amount of powder could also be adjusted. Celebratory gunfire with them would have been different, and would have had different safety considerations.

I think it’s because loud sounds and big explosions are cool to hear and see

Definitely an interesting headcannon^W headcanon. Of course, celebration has always been associated with loud noises - bells, drums, cheering, clapping, whistling - so logically anything with explosions is an extension of that continuum.

Memorial day fireworks are absolutely a dick move.

Agreed... For a very long time you would not get me anywhere near celebrations with fireworks or gunfire, and if I was exposed, it was not a pleasant experience for anyone. Took some time, but things are far better now. Still prefer not to be around, but no longer a huge negative experience.

A roof might provide some resistance, but would it necessarily protect you from bodily harm?

By the time a bullet comes through your roof from a steep ballistic trajectory, probably yes.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com