posted on October 15, 2000 06:03:58 PM
In my attempt to assist dman in unearthing the source of the "High School Deadbeat Bidder Contest," I came on this site, which has saved the weirdest ebay auctions ever, including the nefarious Pocket Lint Auction. Go on, take a look. Ebay's down anyway.
Even though I have seen this before, it got me to wondering....are you thinking that the high school deadbeat bidders story is an urban legend? Like not to blink your brights to an oncoming car (full of gang bangers) with their brights or they will do a drive by shooting?
posted on October 15, 2000 06:14:39 PM
Let's just say it has all the earmarks of an UL, and absent credible evidence to the contrary, I'm not swallowing it.
posted on October 15, 2000 06:26:46 PM
bobbysoxer,
That story is based in truth. I live in sothern California, and some years ago on the night of Jewish holiday someone circulated a copy of an "order" to gang members that they were to turn off their lights and then fire at cars that flashed head lights.
My rabbi actually announced this during the service, and the tv news warned people about it. When we drove home we were very tense.
As it turned out, it had been a prank. But for one night it really had us scared to drive.
Somehow this actual event, though it was a hoax, has now turned into an urban legend.
Just food for thought, since ebay ain't pulling in money to buy food at the moment.
posted on October 15, 2000 06:35:16 PM
My favorite auction was one I just happened to stumble upon while browsing E-Bay.
It was for a single light bulb. The seller had a real funny description that said the bulb, which was from a closet, was all he had left to his name after his divorce!
posted on October 16, 2000 04:06:14 AM
I'd agree with you, bobbsoxer, that all successful urban legends begin with a grain of truth, or at least of plausibility. That's why they - and every scam from side-show freaks to diet pills,for that matter - are successful. The scammer takes a speck of fact, magnify it with a distorted funhouse mirror, capitalize on fear or wishful thinking, and come up with a confabulation of utter nonsense. It's the same process kids use to convince themselves there's a monster under the bed. (I'm reminded of comic Judy Tenuta's classic line: "Hey, it could happen!" - therefore it DID happen, and who are we to question?)
[ edited by HartCottageQuilts on Oct 16, 2000 04:12 AM ]
posted on October 16, 2000 08:58:26 PM
HCQ- Very Funny link! I had a blast reading some of the auctions. Toenails? and NO BIDS, OMG...why not? Hey the college spouse for only $15,000.00 to be my slave? Cheap! Man the workload around my house would send her running back home! ... and who would have the time to enjoy her, oh so, intelligent company. Oh well, hope she got her degree anyways. LOL, Thanks!
