Comments on: Dopey the hamster, and his private LEGO elevator. http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 03:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: tomic http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229380 tomic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229380 Yeah it's not cruel, except perhaps existentially. Clearly Dopey is trying to reach the food, so tortuously put just out of reach. He's not THAT stupid, merely at the limits of cognition and physical skills. Movies like THE CUBE are this for humans. We all have our limits. My oldest dog, very smart socially, has a hard time with spatial problems. To bury a rock, she puts the rock on the spot, then digs. It goes flying. She brings it back, and repeats. She almost gets it. Or, the goal is actually something else I don't understand. Have you never written code you just can't get to work? It's only a matter of degree... Yeah it’s not cruel, except perhaps existentially.

Clearly Dopey is trying to reach the food, so tortuously put just out of reach. He’s not THAT stupid, merely at the limits of cognition and physical skills.

Movies like THE CUBE are this for humans.

We all have our limits.

My oldest dog, very smart socially, has a hard time with spatial problems. To bury a rock, she puts the rock on the spot, then digs. It goes flying. She brings it back, and repeats. She almost gets it. Or, the goal is actually something else I don’t understand.

Have you never written code you just can’t get to work? It’s only a matter of degree…

]]> By: fatbactory http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229384 fatbactory Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229384 I used to have a hamster that would leap from anything you put it on, regardless of height. Nice animal but not smart. Anyone who's seriously thinking about cruelty is a victim of personification. I used to have a hamster that would leap from anything you put it on, regardless of height. Nice animal but not smart.

Anyone who’s seriously thinking about cruelty is a victim of personification.

]]> By: Chevan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229646 Chevan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229646 I wonder what's triggering the elevator - a button in the middle of the platform? A light sensor? Neat video, and thanks for linking it. I wonder what’s triggering the elevator – a button in the middle of the platform? A light sensor?

Neat video, and thanks for linking it.

]]> By: arkizzle http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229392 arkizzle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229392 Dopey is not trying to reach his food. Watch til the end. He is trying to make it into his penthouse. Dopey is not trying to reach his food.

Watch til the end. He is trying to make it into his penthouse.

]]> By: MiketheGreat http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229396 MiketheGreat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229396 It's okay Dopey, I hate jumping puzzles too. This is why I've never finished the original Super Mario Bros. It’s okay Dopey, I hate jumping puzzles too. This is why I’ve never finished the original Super Mario Bros.

]]> By: morcheeba http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229397 morcheeba Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229397 I think he needs a little indoor skydiving setup to take him upstairs... something like this, but on a smaller scale: http://www.skyventurecolorado.com/ I think he needs a little indoor skydiving setup to take him upstairs… something like this, but on a smaller scale: http://www.skyventurecolorado.com/

]]> By: Justin Ried http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229400 Justin Ried Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229400 @34: It's not cruelty, but it certainly would have been kind of the owner to let Dopey have the treat after all of his troubles. That's what I (and I suspect most sympathetic happy mutants) would have done. Eventually he gives up and goes to bed. It's all so... anticlimactic? Perhaps the owner was trying to tell a deeper tale of the trials and tribulations of existence - that persistence doesn't always pay off... but I doubt it. @35: Yes he did totally want that treat ^_^ @34: It’s not cruelty, but it certainly would have been kind of the owner to let Dopey have the treat after all of his troubles. That’s what I (and I suspect most sympathetic happy mutants) would have done.

Eventually he gives up and goes to bed. It’s all so… anticlimactic?

Perhaps the owner was trying to tell a deeper tale of the trials and tribulations of existence – that persistence doesn’t always pay off… but I doubt it.

@35: Yes he did totally want that treat ^_^

]]> By: Sethum http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229404 Sethum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229404 I think the food is tied up there just to give Dopey a tasty reward for exercising by reaching up. Dopey definitely is not trying to use the elevator to get to the food, although it looks that way at first. I'm guessing that the designer of the elevator may have increased the game to the door just to make sure it would take a few tries while he/she was filming... How boring would that video be if Dopey made it on the first try? I think the food is tied up there just to give Dopey a tasty reward for exercising by reaching up. Dopey definitely is not trying to use the elevator to get to the food, although it looks that way at first.

I’m guessing that the designer of the elevator may have increased the game to the door just to make sure it would take a few tries while he/she was filming… How boring would that video be if Dopey made it on the first try?

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229413 Lea Hernandez Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229413 Reading these comments, I thought I'd stumbled into a Cute Overload comment thread on a picture showing a baby and a cat. The only thing that could make some commenters more exercized would be a baby laughing as the hamster fell. Dopey's box is not that far away. He could've made it in one try if he wasn't...dopey. Also, many of those crash sounds aren't Dopey smacking into the floor of his cage, they're foleyed in. Last, a fall from twice his height isn't the same to Dopey as it would be for us. Dopey weighs a few ounces. Reading these comments, I thought I’d stumbled into a Cute Overload comment thread on a picture showing a baby and a cat. The only thing that could make some commenters more exercized would be a baby laughing as the hamster fell.

Dopey’s box is not that far away. He could’ve made it in one try if he wasn’t…dopey. Also, many of those crash sounds aren’t Dopey smacking into the floor of his cage, they’re foleyed in.

Last, a fall from twice his height isn’t the same to Dopey as it would be for us. Dopey weighs a few ounces.

]]> By: IWood http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229680 IWood Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229680 It's all fun and games until someone's hamster gnaws through its cage at night and roams free in search of human flesh. It’s all fun and games until someone’s hamster gnaws through its cage at night and roams free in search of human flesh.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229429 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229429 hamsters`are good. I recommend a red wine based marinade and no more than three per skewer. hamsters`are good. I recommend a red wine based marinade and no more than three per skewer.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229686 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229686 WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE NIBLETS WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE NIBLETS

]]> By: gonzilla http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229183 gonzilla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229183 It would have been more epic if it was a hamster spinning on a Lego escalator. It would have been more epic if it was a hamster spinning on a Lego escalator.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229184 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229184 It would have been more epic if it was a hamster spinning on a Lego escalator in a field of animatronic strawberries on the moon with sparkle dust, but we take what we get from YouTube, bub. It would have been more epic if it was a hamster spinning on a Lego escalator in a field of animatronic strawberries on the moon with sparkle dust, but we take what we get from YouTube, bub.

]]> By: GregLondon http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229696 GregLondon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229696 I can't tell if the elevator is remote controlled by some human or not. If it's a fully automated elevator, awesome. If remote controlled, I'll ahve to take off a couple points for that. But overall, good stuff. I can’t tell if the elevator is remote controlled by some human or not.

If it’s a fully automated elevator, awesome. If remote controlled, I’ll ahve to take off a couple points for that.

But overall, good stuff.

]]> By: Mindpowered http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229700 Mindpowered Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229700 Let's just be clear on few things. This is cruelty to animals http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7494184.stm "Many of the rabbits have been decapitated and the blood drained from their bodies. " That video is not. Let’s just be clear on few things.

This is cruelty to animals

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7494184.stm

“Many of the rabbits have been decapitated and the blood drained from their bodies. ”

That video is not.

]]> By: pepsi_max2k http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229190 pepsi_max2k Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229190 It would have been more epic if it actually worked. I mean, it's an elavator to nowhere, people! It would have been more epic if it actually worked. I mean, it’s an elavator to nowhere, people!

]]> By: JDspeeder1 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229194 JDspeeder1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229194 But how does he get DOWN??? But how does he get DOWN???

]]> By: SC_Wolf http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229195 SC_Wolf Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229195 @ #3 PEPSI_MAX2K <i>It would have been more epic if it actually worked. I mean, it's an elavator to nowhere, people!</i> You would prefer a Stairway to Heaven perhaps? @ #3 PEPSI_MAX2K
It would have been more epic if it actually worked. I mean, it’s an elavator to nowhere, people!

You would prefer a Stairway to Heaven perhaps?

]]> By: insect_hooves http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229711 insect_hooves Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229711 I <em>think</em> I can haz. I <em>think</em> I can haz. I <em>think</em> I can haz ... Ah fuck it. Nibblets r ghey anyways. (sniff) I think I can haz. I think I can haz. I think I can haz … Ah fuck it. Nibblets r ghey anyways. (sniff)

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229714 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229714 @#55 = teh win. @#55 = teh win.

]]> By: pepsi_max2k http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229208 pepsi_max2k Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229208 >> You would prefer a Stairway to Heaven perhaps? A Stannah stairlift'd do. Though to be honest just a trampoline underneathe would've been infinately more entertaining. I feel no lulz must be had in watching a hampster fall to it's untimely death. Even if it did survive. And fall to it's untimely death. And survive. And fall... >> You would prefer a Stairway to Heaven perhaps?

A Stannah stairlift’d do. Though to be honest just a trampoline underneathe would’ve been infinately more entertaining. I feel no lulz must be had in watching a hampster fall to it’s untimely death. Even if it did survive. And fall to it’s untimely death. And survive. And fall…

]]> By: pepsi_max2k http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229212 pepsi_max2k Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229212 More hampster win: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmd-cJNfCk More hampster win: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmd-cJNfCk

]]> By: DWNLDTH5 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229214 DWNLDTH5 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229214 He still didn't get the niblet though. I was rooting for the little guy. :( He still didn’t get the niblet though. I was rooting for the little guy. :(

]]> By: squarefrog http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229217 squarefrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229217 No-one else think this is kind of cruel? Raising the little guy up, setting him up for a fall! No-one else think this is kind of cruel? Raising the little guy up, setting him up for a fall!

]]> By: MichaelRN http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229478 MichaelRN Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229478 Q: "But how does he get DOWN???" A: By doing the Hamster Dance? Sorry, someone had to say it. Q: “But how does he get DOWN???”

A: By doing the Hamster Dance?

Sorry, someone had to say it.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229740 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229740 You know, if you look at the setup, the hamster could have "teh niblet" when it's in it's house and pulls up "teh string". You know, if you look at the setup, the hamster could have “teh niblet” when it’s in it’s house and pulls up “teh string”.

]]> By: Amelie http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229230 Amelie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229230 This is neither clever nor funny but simply cruel. Bit of a shame to see it on what is otherwise a great blog site. This is neither clever nor funny but simply cruel. Bit of a shame to see it on what is otherwise a great blog site.

]]> By: SeppTB http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229233 SeppTB Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229233 Cruel? Elevator to no where? Did none of you watch this all the way to the end? Its a story of persistence and overcoming obstacles, the hamster triumphs! Cruel? Elevator to no where? Did none of you watch this all the way to the end? Its a story of persistence and overcoming obstacles, the hamster triumphs!

]]> By: alisong76 http://boingboing.net/2008/07/09/dopey-the-hamster-an.html#comment-229747 alisong76 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-229747 Showing up on cuteoverload in 3...2....1..... Showing up on cuteoverload in 3…2….1…..

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