I Was Thinking... Desire for Danger & Destruction

Several weeks ago, the Dodge County Fair drew large crowds at their grandstand shows. A variety of races, bull riding and a demolition derby filled the stands with families. While each separate event offered a somewhat different venue, they all had a couple things in common, the chance of danger and destruction. There seems to be something about the human psyche that is attracted to an element of danger.

The bull riding event packed the grandstand with eager observers. Matching a cowboy on the top of a 1600 lb. bull is quite a mismatch, evidenced by the fact it is considered a successful ride if he can stay there for 8 seconds. Most did not.

No matter how you look at it, putting a person on the back of a huge animal with pronounced protruding horns and a nasty attitude always spells out danger. Being thrown to the ground with considerable force is bad enough but worrying that the huge beast may then either step on you or attempt to gore you adds to the insanity. But it isn’t just the rider who is in peril.

Several others in the bull ring volunteer to be there to try and distract the bull after he has deposited his rider on the ground. They purposely try and draw the bull’s attention to themselves so the dumped rider can scramble to safety. This requires quick reflexes and a little bit of a death wish. While no one attending the event hopes to see anyone get hurt, the chance of danger creates the excitement that brings people back year after year.

The other grandstand events featured vehicles of some sort providing excitement for the fans. Years ago, stock car racing had been a regular Sunday evening occurrence at the Dodge County Speedway, but now it only happens during the fair. Still fans gather to see the racers compete on the dirt oval at high rates of speed. While fans watch to see who can beat the others to the checkered flag, added excitement is generated as cars bounce off each other or occasionally lose control and spin out.

Speeding cars operating at extremely close proximity all trying to negotiate four turns will bring collisions. While fans say they don’t go to races to see crashes, this natural outcome adds to the adrenalin rush. I still remember the night a car barrel rolled three times down the track.You sure hope the driver will be okay, but the chance of some type of mishap adds to the attraction of racing.

On Saturday night we thought we arrived early enough for the demolition derby but found everyone else had the same idea.The stands were again packed. But this was not a race around a track. This was an endurance contest to see who could survive while destroying your opponents.

At one time or another, most of us may have had a desire to just smash something. This may have resulted in a broken dish or glass, a hole in the sheetrock, or a broken door. While most of us usually can restrain ourselves from too much damage, we enjoy the chance to see someone else do it.

Again, no one wants to see anybody get hurt, but when a car delivers a really heavy hit the crowd erupts.The more damage the better.

The fair’s trailer race is a combination of racing and destruction all in one. You try to be faster than your competitor while at the same time hoping to destroy their trailer to knock them out of the race. It is truly, as the name implied, a special type of mayhem.

The desire for danger isn’t limited to the grandstand either. The carnival also offers several opportunities to scare you for a short period of time. Rides that twist, toss, spin, or elevate you for a while, allow you to experience a sense of excitement and being close enough to danger to elicit some screams.

We all enjoy some excitement in our lives. Some can achieve it by watching competitive sporting events, others need to experience it firsthand. Downhill skiing, parasailing, or sky diving does it for some people. Water skiing, riding in a hot air balloon, or going on a zip line may be enough for others.

But while I might like to take a couple of laps with a NASCAR driver, I have no desire to outlast a bull for eight seconds.I may have a desire for some excitement, but I have a definite line between bravery and stupidity.

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