Comments on: Woman dines with cardboard cutout man in San Francisco http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 09:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658688 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658688 It sounds like a Flat Stanley thing. The children's book 'Flat Stanley' by Jeff Brown and Scott Nash sparked a sort of game for elementary classrooms where they make 'flat people' in class and then mail them to friends and relatives who don't live nearby to get pictures of them experiencing different things in different places. It sounds like a Flat Stanley thing. The children’s book ‘Flat Stanley’ by Jeff Brown and Scott Nash sparked a sort of game for elementary classrooms where they make ‘flat people’ in class and then mail them to friends and relatives who don’t live nearby to get pictures of them experiencing different things in different places.

]]> By: SamLL http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658690 SamLL Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658690 Another case of life imitating <a href="http://www.homestarrunner.com/qualitytime.html">Homestar Runner</a>? Another case of life imitating Homestar Runner?

]]> By: shipman http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-659459 shipman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-659459 This story just makes me sad. This story just makes me sad.

]]> By: Bimmi http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658692 Bimmi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658692 My first thought when I saw "San Francisco" was "eh, it's probably an art thing." My first thought when I saw “San Francisco” was “eh, it’s probably an art thing.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658693 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658693 Please don't judge the entire United States by what one sees in San Francisco. California, San Francisco in particular, does not represent the views of the of the rest of the USA. Please don’t judge the entire United States by what one sees in San Francisco. California, San Francisco in particular, does not represent the views of the of the rest of the USA.

]]> By: codesuidae http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-671241 codesuidae Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-671241 I'd be impressed if halfway through dinner the woman slipped away while the waiter wasn't looking and a similar-looking friend took her place, just to see if anyone noticed. I’d be impressed if halfway through dinner the woman slipped away while the waiter wasn’t looking and a similar-looking friend took her place, just to see if anyone noticed.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658700 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658700 homestaw wunnew homestaw wunnew

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-659215 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-659215 http://sf0.org/tasks/Flat-Stanleys-Rumspringa/#praxis There are other tasks this woman might have been performing. http://sf0.org/tasks/Flat-Stanleys-Rumspringa/#praxis

There are other tasks this woman might have been performing.

]]> By: crayonbeam http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658705 crayonbeam Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658705 Flat Stanley gets around. http://www.flatstanley.com/ Flat Stanley gets around.

http://www.flatstanley.com/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-660498 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-660498 This was my first thought as well. Probably not a nutty lady, but someone doing something cool for a kid. This was my first thought as well. Probably not a nutty lady, but someone doing something cool for a kid.

]]> By: Bazilisk http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658708 Bazilisk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658708 It IS probably a cleverly disguised art piece. But. <Crappy Journalism-Style Trend Piece> Men prefer their artificial lovers high-tech, ideally on an LCD screen, while women users go for the more crafty, homespun feel of cardboard. </Crappy Journalism-Style Trend Piece> It IS probably a cleverly disguised art piece. But.

Men prefer their artificial lovers high-tech, ideally on an LCD screen, while women users go for the more crafty, homespun feel of cardboard.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658969 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658969 "It IS probably a cleverly disguised art piece. But. Men prefer their artificial lovers high-tech, ideally on an LCD screen, while women users go for the more crafty, homespun feel of cardboard." Not for me! I don't want paper cuts there. “It IS probably a cleverly disguised art piece. But.

Men prefer their artificial lovers high-tech, ideally on an LCD screen, while women users go for the more crafty, homespun feel of cardboard.”

Not for me! I don’t want paper cuts there.

]]> By: Gloria http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658720 Gloria Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658720 "But think of the wasted time spent attempting to communicate with something that is incapable of reciprocating your effort in any way." Sounds like some flesh-and-blood relationships. There are plenty of broken relationships out there -- where one partner gives all the love, deluded into thinking that they're being loved in return when they're being abused or taken advantage of. Happens all the time. I see those as much more twisted and disturbing. In comparison, a relationship like this woman's is a mere curiosity. "What happens if you believe the other party to be a god?" Are you *trying* to solicit snarky comments about religion? “But think of the wasted time spent attempting to communicate with something that is incapable of reciprocating your effort in any way.”

Sounds like some flesh-and-blood relationships.

There are plenty of broken relationships out there — where one partner gives all the love, deluded into thinking that they’re being loved in return when they’re being abused or taken advantage of. Happens all the time. I see those as much more twisted and disturbing. In comparison, a relationship like this woman’s is a mere curiosity.

“What happens if you believe the other party to be a god?”

Are you *trying* to solicit snarky comments about religion?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-660000 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-660000 It's worth noting that Peter and Stan are the two main characters on Seth MacFarlane's shows, Family Guy and American Dad. Just sayin'... It’s worth noting that Peter and Stan are the two main characters on Seth MacFarlane’s shows, Family Guy and American Dad. Just sayin’…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-661024 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-661024 I would argue that some musicians do treat their instruments like people. The instrument can have a temperament and a soul. WBR, Donn <!-- http://filesmixx.com --> I would argue that some musicians do treat their instruments like people. The instrument can have a temperament and a soul.

WBR, Donn

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658722 Robert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658722 I hate these stories where the author clearly couldn't be bothered to come up with more than just a cardboard-cutout of a character. I hate these stories where the author clearly couldn’t be bothered to come up with more than just a cardboard-cutout of a character.

]]> By: Day Vexx http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658723 Day Vexx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658723 If I wasn't trying to start some conversation, I'd get a cardboard guy to talk to, so yeah. I was basically just trying to show how this lady's benign dinner ties into Gniobboing's religious context-- if she's speaking to (and presumably for) her cardboard partner, how is this different from those who speak to (and presumably for) their various deities? It's equally absurd, but in the case of religion, the power to affect others is obviously magnified. If I wasn’t trying to start some conversation, I’d get a cardboard guy to talk to, so yeah. I was basically just trying to show how this lady’s benign dinner ties into Gniobboing’s religious context– if she’s speaking to (and presumably for) her cardboard partner, how is this different from those who speak to (and presumably for) their various deities? It’s equally absurd, but in the case of religion, the power to affect others is obviously magnified.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658728 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658728 "Weirdness" does not require any "damage" to be done. Of course it doesn't really hurt anyone, at least not in any substantial way. It's still far outside of the social norm and therefore is "weird." Weird isn't necessarily bad but it is weird. The fact that calling it weird seems to be the natural reaction should be evidence of that. “Weirdness” does not require any “damage” to be done. Of course it doesn’t really hurt anyone, at least not in any substantial way. It’s still far outside of the social norm and therefore is “weird.” Weird isn’t necessarily bad but it is weird. The fact that calling it weird seems to be the natural reaction should be evidence of that.

]]> By: IamInnocent http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658732 IamInnocent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658732 <i>"When I walked up to the table, I felt like I was interrupting a date," Joel tells me.</i> That Joel is a decent human being. “When I walked up to the table, I felt like I was interrupting a date,” Joel tells me.

That Joel is a decent human being.

]]> By: nanuq http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658736 nanuq Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658736 It could have been worse, he might have been inflatable. It could have been worse, he might have been inflatable.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-663872 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-663872 Actually the most worrying thing about this is the fact that she still hadn't been served after 45 minutes of waiting. That plus she gets shopped to the media for doing something that's probably just something she goes through to make eating on her own slightly less embarassing. Could you publish the name of the restaurant so I can avoid going there? Actually the most worrying thing about this is the fact that she still hadn’t been served after 45 minutes of waiting. That plus she gets shopped to the media for doing something that’s probably just something she goes through to make eating on her own slightly less embarassing. Could you publish the name of the restaurant so I can avoid going there?

]]> By: SlashMatrix http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658756 SlashMatrix Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658756 I keep thinking of Tom Hanks in "Cast Away" screaming, "Wilson!" as he tries desperately to save the little volleyball. It was so sad. I keep thinking of Tom Hanks in “Cast Away” screaming, “Wilson!” as he tries desperately to save the little volleyball. It was so sad.

]]> By: Shazbot http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658758 Shazbot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658758 Yes, I think this is a case of someone humbling a kid involved in the Flat Stanley project. My class this when I was back in third grade. I drew a person a four-foot cardboard cutout, mailed it to my father several states away, and asked him to do things with Stanley in various places and take pictures. He humored me of course, and then I presented the photographs he sent back, along with my Stanley, to the class. I had forgotten all about it until I read this story and remembered that I'd done it. I guess it would seem pretty weird if you hadn't heard of the assignment. Yes, I think this is a case of someone humbling a kid involved in the Flat Stanley project. My class this when I was back in third grade. I drew a person a four-foot cardboard cutout, mailed it to my father several states away, and asked him to do things with Stanley in various places and take pictures. He humored me of course, and then I presented the photographs he sent back, along with my Stanley, to the class.

I had forgotten all about it until I read this story and remembered that I’d done it. I guess it would seem pretty weird if you hadn’t heard of the assignment.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658759 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658759 sounds like performance art to me sounds like performance art to me

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-663111 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-663111 This <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley">Flat Stanley</a> thing so many in the thread are talking about is pretty wonderful. This Flat Stanley thing so many in the thread are talking about is pretty wonderful.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658760 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658760 Wilson!!!!! Wilson!!!!!

]]> By: arikol http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-664136 arikol Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-664136 Sure it's a little weird, but as has been pointed out, this behaviour is probably not hurting anyone (unless she is neglecting someone who needs her). Adults behaving strangely is not really a cause for concern. As for the person with the imaginary friend from childhood, of course you knew he was imaginary, it's just annoyingly straight laced adults who think kids are stupid and don't know the difference between reality and imagination. And a (good) psychiatrist would look for other much more scary issues before even starting to look at an imaginary friend as a clinical issue. Sure it’s a little weird, but as has been pointed out, this behaviour is probably not hurting anyone (unless she is neglecting someone who needs her).
Adults behaving strangely is not really a cause for concern.

As for the person with the imaginary friend from childhood, of course you knew he was imaginary, it’s just annoyingly straight laced adults who think kids are stupid and don’t know the difference between reality and imagination. And a (good) psychiatrist would look for other much more scary issues before even starting to look at an imaginary friend as a clinical issue.

]]> By: usfoodpolicy http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658761 usfoodpolicy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658761 Oh, Lisa, if you haven't seen it, you are just going to LOVE the movie, "Lars and the Real Girl (2007)." Tagline: "The search for true love begins outside the box." Oh, Lisa, if you haven’t seen it, you are just going to LOVE the movie, “Lars and the Real Girl (2007).” Tagline: “The search for true love begins outside the box.”

]]> By: octopod http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658763 octopod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658763 upvoted upvoted

]]> By: peanutproduct http://boingboing.net/2009/12/08/the-case-of-the-tour.html#comment-658764 peanutproduct Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658764 I don't think the woman in the restaurant was doing something like Flat Stanley if she ordered food for the cutout and was talking to it/holding its hand. However, the example of the woman with the soldier boyfriend is nothing like the Japanese men with pillow girlfriends though. It says in the article that she takes photos with the cutout and mails them to her boyfriend. I don’t think the woman in the restaurant was doing something like Flat Stanley if she ordered food for the cutout and was talking to it/holding its hand.

However, the example of the woman with the soldier boyfriend is nothing like the Japanese men with pillow girlfriends though. It says in the article that she takes photos with the cutout and mails them to her boyfriend.

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