A group of people involved with the Bay Area hacker space Noisebridge organized an impromptu science fair to be held outside an Insane Clown Posse show, when the band and their juggalo fans recently passed through San Francisco. Doctor Popular at Laughing Squid has an extensive blog report up, with videos and links to photo sets. Snip:

SFSlim tweeted that the group was physically threatened by ICP’s crew and Violent J, one half of the Insane Clown Posse, even bragged about it on his twitterhole. A clown with no sense of humor… who’d a thunk it?

If you don't know what any of this means, start with this Boing Boing post, and then this one. (photos: y3rdua)

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Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

MORE: Event • Funny • Mockery • music • pop culture • punk • Ripoffs • Technology • Weird

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The Snowden Principle

Chocolatey Shatner

Pfft: that’s some stone cold bullshit. Real Dark Carnival can take it just as good as it dishes out…
GeekMan

Not surprised on how self-serious these guys actually are. People always claim that they dress/act/talk a certain way for the sake of irony, but more often than not, it’s because they just like to dress/act/talk that way. When someone comes along and tries to have some non-aggressive fun with that, you get violent with them: what better way to indicate your own insecurity with your trademark culture!

If you like to dress as clowns, just do it, and embrace those who want to follow along. Otherwise, you’re just perpetuating a new brand of elitism.
- Anonymous
  
  clown elitism
- Jack
  
  People always claim that they dress/act/talk a certain way for the sake of irony, but more often than not, it’s because they just like to dress/act/talk that way.
  
  I agree GeekMan. Especially nowadays. We’re living in such a post-ironic world, that folks don’t even realize there is no “joke” connected to what they do/say.
  
  I also wanted to say: “Fucking Butterflies: How Do They Work?” is genius! Nice job-balos!
JoshuaZ

I blogged about this almost a month ago. These articles don’t mention one of the other very relevant details such as how ICP’s security people tried to take away Noisebridge’s camera even after Noisebridge had left.
Xenu

Old news is so exciting!
mgfarrelly

“You guys want to learn about science?”
“Nah I’m cool.”

That’s golden.
tim12s

Fucking elitist clown bullshit.

Just making things difficult for the rest of the world’s clown population. Before long, clowns will start going around developing chips on their shoulders, expecting shit from Scientists AND Juggaloes. Then of course, the Man will start hassling all clowns regardless. Then where will the world be for a poor clown?

How do you get 17 clowns in a car? THAT’S a motherfucking mystery. And not one that needs to be answered by a scientist, that’s for motherfuckin’ sure.
Tensegrity

An excellent project! Too bad the science was not successfully dropped, but there was definitely learning that occured. Sadly it was on the part of Noisebridge–it is an important less to nerds, hackers, and other rationalists that ignorance is viewed by many not as an affliction to be treated and triumphed over, but as an aesthetic to be consciously embraced. Just look at the truthers, birthers, young-earth creationists, etc. Ignorance is something many people wear as a badge of honor. It’s sad, but true.
- Tensegrity
  
  I meant to write ‘it is an important *lesson*’
- nerd
  
  Bravo! But surely erudition that crunkalicious has been banned in some holy text.
Brainspore

Is there widespread concern that a significant number of people get their science education from ICP?
Beryllium

~/ science explains miracles /~

Ah, LoadingReadyRun, there’s nothing you can’t make awesomer.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/loadingreadyrun/1629-Scientists-Rebuttal-to-ICP
Anonymous

And I don’t wanna talk to a scientist
Y’all motherfuckers lying, and getting me pissed
RevWubby

Voilent J crowed that they “ran off those scientist haters”…

So, let me get this straight…

In song form, he asks some questions about how stuff fvcking works, then when some people ACTUALLY show up to accurately answer his question, and he has them threatened and forces them to leave…

Violent J. is the very epitome of the willfully ignorant douche. I now place him firmly in the camp of the Discovery Institute and Fred Phelps.
Anonymous

Once again, I feel compelled to post my rant.

Dear Haters,

We know how fuckin’ magnets work. Yes, the lyrics to “Miracles” come off as corny. Whenever ICP tries to get “deep” (which they do once or twice per major album) it either results in something memorable (see “Pass Me By”) or something ripe for ridicule like this. So, you (being the haters you are) nitpick every silly little thing about this song, ignoring the overall theme and even the key line, which is “everything you believed in as kids.” I don’t think you necessarily have to be a fan of ICP’s to feel what they’re talking about in this song. Remember what it was like before you grew up and got so damned cynical? Remember what it was like to be a kid, when everything was so new and exciting, and so many things seemed…yes I’m gonna say it…magical? I miss that, and apparently, so do ICP, and looking back fondly on youth is not an unusual subject for them, if you’re familiar with their catalog. Now, when I look at my two-year-old son (who, of course, looks just like daddy), and see a smile on his face, and hear him laugh, I get that magic back. Everything is beautiful, incredible and unexplained to him. He doesn’t know about death, disease, war, or poverty, and for that I envy him somewhat. He’s the most beautiful thing in this world, and he’s a miracle. The fact that I have the family I have is a miracle, and I thank God for them every day. If you don’t appreciate the beautiful and magical things that this life can provide, so much so that you feel compelled to laugh at those who do, I pity you. But, hey, go on and laugh at the clowns, and their clown-faced fans. We’re used to that. While you’re doing so, we’ll be enjoying and appreciating some of the great things about life.
- HerkyDerky
  
  If Feynman doesn’t know how magnets work, then if you do… that’s a miracle!
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMFPe-DwULM
- JoshuaZ
  
  Anon @30,
  
  You once again miss the point. We can enjoy the world around us, and marvel at it, while understanding how it works. Indeed, understanding how things work often makes them more amazing, not less so. Steeping in ignorance to preserve a feeling of magic is worthy of ridicule.
Anonymous

Lay down with morons…

Wake up looking like a d*psh*t.
dequeued

While I liked the video and what they did, I do have one piece of criticism.

I can almost see where the Juggalos are coming from.
I’m sure most of them never went to college, and probably a lot of them didn’t even graduate high school.
So, they probably really resent these “know it alls” who think that they’re “better than them” with their clean labcoats and fancy-schmancy degrees.
- phisrow
  
  Would you say that those “know it alls” are incorrect?
  
  Unless you are willing to argue that ignorance is better than, or at least equal to, knowledge; the conclusion that people who have knowledge are(all else being equal) better than those who don’t, and the people who don’t have it and don’t want it are on the very bottom is hard to avoid.
  
  I don’t wish to be mistaken as advocating a genocide of the juggalos or anything(plus, I didn’t actually finish my BA, so I’d probably end up against the wall when that particular revolution comes); but if they celebrate ignorance, they are in fact worse than those who seek knowledge(barring some other morally salient factor differing dramatically between the two populations).
  
  Resentment is certainly natural enough; but natural and justified are not synonyms…
  - IWood
    
    1) All else isn’t equal.
    
    2) There’s a difference between being judgmental and making judgments.
    
    3) Wat
- mellowknees
  
  Willful ignorance is different than not going to college.
  
  I didn’t go to college, either. I grew up in a single mother household at poverty level, I was a latchkey kid, my dad is a raging alcoholic…the list goes on.
  
  Want to know what I did? I went to the library and read books, all on my own. I read and read and read, and when I was done, I read some more. I still read and educate myself to this day.
  
  And even without a college education, I’ve worked for the same company for over 20 years (been here since I was 18). I make a comfortable living and can provide for myself and sustain my household.
  
  So, I have to disagree. Knowledge is available everywhere – you just have to be willing to seek it out.
teapot

As a non-American I am sometimes so thankful that I don’t have to endure the existence of such stupid ‘subcultures’ on a daily basis. Hit close, and they’re gone.

Unfortunately celebration of ignorance is universal, so there is no escape from that.

I take my hat off to these scientist smart-asses. And Beryllium’s link is very enjoyable.
- echolocate chocolate
  
  Must be interesting, living on another planet.
Doctor Popular

I’m happy to see this story still spreading. I hope that we will soon start seeing science fairs popping up everywhere ICP goes. BTW, the LS story above was actually written by me, not Scott.

For anyone interested, Zinnia’s level headed explanation of the Miracle’s video is my favorite analysis out there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGy64NJWotg
IWood

It’s true. Here in America everyone encounters multiple representatives of various “stupid ‘subcultures’” on a daily basis. Everyone. All the time. Every single American. Every day. Because they’re so ubiquitous, you see, in America.
- teapot
  
  It’s true. Here in America everyone encounters multiple representatives of various “stupid ‘subcultures’” on a daily basis. Everyone. All the time. Every single American. Every day. Because they’re so ubiquitous, you see, in America.
  
  For future reference: use of sarcasam usually decreases the impact of the point you are making.
  
  The reason I used quotation marks is to illustrate that my point is directed at these pathetic ICP fans, who think they are part of some meaningful subculture. If you don’t get that then there is not much I can do for you and your knee-jerk reactions to anything you percieve as anti-American sentiment.
  
  I have never seen a ‘juggalo’ in Oz, and doubt I ever will. That was the extent of my commentary, and nothing more, so get off your high horse bud.
  
  Same goes for you echolocate.
  - gravytop
    
    Sheesh, Mr. Cranky. In my experience, America has fewer distinguishable youth “subculture” than a lot of countries. Whether it’s Japan with their goths/rockabilly kids/whatever kei, or Britain where punk rock wasn’t born, but turned into an us-vs.-them subculture, the States are sadly lacking in the goofy youth subculture gang department. So the “only in America” implication of your post was somewhat unfounded. Even if that wasn’t your point, sheesh Mr. Cranky….
    - teapot
      
      Sheesh, Mr. Cranky. In my experience, America has fewer distinguishable youth “subculture” than a lot of countries. Whether it’s Japan with their goths/rockabilly kids/whatever kei, or Britain where punk rock wasn’t born, but turned into an us-vs.-them subculture, the States are sadly lacking in the goofy youth subculture gang department. So the “only in America” implication of your post was somewhat unfounded. Even if that wasn’t your point, sheesh Mr. Cranky….
      
      I love how you use the phrase ‘sheesh Mr. Cranky’ as marks to signify the start and end of your point. Do you do this on every message board, or just for lucky folk like me?
      
      So… I am just trying to qualify what you mean by ‘experience’. Have you spent any reasonable ammount of time in, or even been to Japan? Cos your reference to ‘rockabilly kids’ is perplexing… The majority of people who identify with rockabilly there are not kids. It seems you have formed your understanding of subculture in Japan from books and blogs. A good start, but usually off the mark.
      
      Let’s just look at this issue from a purely numerical standpoint:
      
      US population: 300+ mil
      UK population:62+ mil
      Japan population: 125+ mil
      
      Based soley on those figures, I believe it is hard to claim what you are claiming. Also, when did the topic become “goofy youth subculture gangs”? I said ‘subculture’. Nothing to do with youth, goofiness or gangs (though those do usually apply to ICP fans).
      
      Surely this line: “Unfortunately celebration of ignorance is universal, so there is no escape from that.” should placate your fears that I’m having a hit at America. If not: take offence… It doesn’t bother me.
      - gravytop
        
        I’ve been to Japan twice in the last ten or so years. I agree, that’s probably not enough to make me an expert or anything. Have you ever been there?
pAULbOWEN

Also recommend Beryllium’s link. “All manner of science up in this bitch” = lolwin.

Noisebridge lady: could we get her de-juggaloed and brought to my tent please?
Anonymous

So how the fuck DO rainbows work?
Fifth

He don’t wanna talk to a scientist

Them all motherfuckers explaining basic facts, and gettiin him pissed
Anonymous

As someone from Detroit I need to ask you people to stop harassing ICP. They come to you’re town for one damn night, maybe two. The more they tour the less they are here. So please I beg you let them tour in peace. This town has enough to deal with.
Anonymous

I’m sorry, but I can’t get behind this.

You go out of your way to tease and provoke people, you get what you deserve.

Their first error was thinking that ICP fans don’t know when they’re being made fun of.

And let’s be real, they *were* being mocked. You can put any kind of window dressing on it you want but that’s the reality.

Smug hipster BS like this is less of an expression of creativity and more of an attempt to invite conflict.

They got what they wanted. Now they can go home and talk about how their theories of ICP fans being aggro-jerks were correct. Go you. Happy now?
- SamSam
  
  They got what they wanted. Now they can go home and talk about how their theories of ICP fans being aggro-jerks were correct. Go you. Happy now?
  
  Actually, all of the videos stressed how much fun the group had with the fans, and how the fans had fun, and how everyone seemed to enjoy it. Did you only see what you expected to see from “smug hipsters?” Or did you not watch the videos at all?
  
  The fans and the Noisebridgers had fun together. The bands enforcers were the dicks. And the band for crowing that they ran the group off.
  - miah
    
    “The fans and the Noisebridgers had fun together. The bands enforcers were the dicks. And the band for crowing that they ran the group off.”
    
    Exactly. The fans actually treated us pretty well. We did get sprayed with some pop but it was all for laughs. We definitely did not threaten/mock anybody. We went there, dressed in science garb, with posters and talked to anybody that would talk to us.
    
    The bands enforcers were not very nice, they wanted us to hand over our posters and leave. When we left after all the fans were inside the enforcers followed us, tried to corner us and then take the camera from one of us.
    
    The management of the concert hall also tried everything they could to get us to move across the street, or restrict us to one end of the block. The police that were there said we could be anywhere, except directly in front of the concert hall.
    
    In general, I think science is awesome. Everybody should keep a open mind and try to learn things, if they don’t want to learn then well they are just missing out on opportunities to further enjoy the world.
TNGMug

There’s that old quote about Cold Play (for ages I thought it was Radiohead, I don’t know why)

“It’s not the band, it’s the fans I can’t stand”

I guess ICP is the other way around. Ya the nerds were there to make fun, but in good taste, if you can’t laugh at yourself what have you got?

Looks like the fans were there just to have a good time. Nothing wrong with that. Too bad management were douchebags.
Anonymous

Clowns scare me!
Cowicide

Corp, Dougie & Sugar Slam ran those scientist haters off and we had a fuckin’ amazing ass concert.

Scientist haters?

Well, these clowns may not have a sense of humor, but they’re certainly laughable.

The “scientists haters” could have probably just dropped a few magnets in front of these morons and they would have stopped in their tracks and just stood there in awe.
- HerkyDerky
  
  What’s an “ass concert”?
  - Cowicide
    
    What’s an “ass concert”?
    
    A concert filled with asses, I think.
  - Antinous / Moderator
    
    What’s an “ass concert”?
    
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_P%C3%A9tomane
    - HerkyDerky
      
      Nice.
      
      reCaptcha: Jean drums.
      
      I think that was the opening of Le PÃ©tomane’s act.
    - Cowicide
      
      heh
      
      “Johnny Depp has mentioned in interviews in Playboy, Vogue (September 1994) and other magazines that he would love to portray Pujol in a film.”
      
      via your source
osmo

Wait, I dont get it… So its a song about how miracolous things feel and then someone comes along and just assume that everyone who listens to it don’t belive those things have a rational explanation? Hell IÂ´d would have been angry too. I mean I know how a rainbow, double, single or triple, is “made” – but the beauty of existence is to me kind of miraculous.

I mean its like someone bitching about the song What a wonderful world because the world is by most parts not so damn wonderful at all – standing outside whereever its played showing pictures of starving children.

I mean its just a song…
- Anonymous
  
  Exactly. I’m a Jugallo, but an overly educated one with one graduate degree completed and another on the way. I don’t hold to everything that goes down, but think of from the perspective of the song and it’s point (that no matter what way you explain the how of it, life is an amazing and still mostly mysterious and wonderful thing). Most Jugallos were not brought up in the best circumstances and with the best opportunities, but life can still be positive. I thought the concept was funny, but I could see Violent J upset over a joke that completely distracts from an point he is trying to make and the actual meaning of the Dark Carnival.
anansi133

Lately I’ve really been missing Carl Sagan.
Anonymous

I think that, as highly educated “scientists”, they would have enough foresight not to be shocked at a less-than-civil response from someone who is named “Violent J”.
- Anonymous
  
  1 gold star for the most relevant response here.

Science for Juggalos: Insane Clown Polytechnic

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