Ukrainian Computer Destruction Championship

Alien54 writes "Over 300 self-confessed computer addicts have participated in a competition in the central Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya to destroy their own hardware in a spectacular fashion. The event, dubbed the "First Open Computer Destruction Championship", was organised by a local FM radio station with the professed aim of raising young people's awareness of the dangers of spending too much time in front of a computer."

Comments

This will only prove...

[Anonymous Coward]

This will only prove that computing causes violence, just like concerned parents across America have been saying all along. Young children should not be allowed to watch or attend.

Re:This will only prove...

[xpurple]

You mean, like this?

http://www.xpurple.com/badmonitor/

That was a couple friends and I letting out some anger on some old computer hardware. Enjoy :)

Re:This will only prove...

[xpurple]

Oh yah, and this!

http://www.xpurple.com/the_laptop/

Folding

[trippinonbsd]

Those computer could have been put to a much better use of folding...

Re:Folding

[parkanoid]

Keep in mind that a box folding or crunching seti 24/7 drains quite a bit of power (as opposed to no box at all). My power bill nearly doubles when all of my boxen crunch - granted, I have 9 systems.
It may not seem like a big deal to most of us here, but it was chewing up a good portion of our monthly income back in Russia. I don't know if the situation has changed dramatically in the last 3 years, but I doubt it.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

I don't understand -

[FractusMan]

Destroying the computers is suposed to be a symbol of... what? That spending too much time in front of the PC will make you FLIP OUT and kill your PC? Or is this more akin to bra burning? But then, that doesn't make any sense, either. I really don't see how watching people wreck their hardware is suposed to make younger people less addicted.

Re:I don't understand -

[timeOday]

"Participants told Ukrainian TV that they felt better after destroying their equipment."

"Another participant agreed computers could be cumbersome: 'I am so sick of these computers, all we do is just sit and type on them.'"

"Another added: 'After sitting at the keyboard all day, I needed revenge.'"

You don't identify with that at all?

As for the young people addiction stuff, lighten up, it's just a radio promotion. The "professed aim" isn't really the point.

God they are shortsighted

[MasTRE]

"...with the professed aim of raising young people's awareness of the dangers of spending too much time in front of a computer."

What about releasing the toxic chemicals found in computers, especially in monitors, into the environment?

Re:God they are shortsighted

[randyest]

Considering the event's proximity to Cernobyl, I think the extra radiation and toxic chemicals would barely be noticeable above the background radiation. But you do have a point. I'm doubting they were following and sort of green prodecures when busting CRTs and capacitors all over the ground.

But, please be careful not to refer to this Ukranian event as a "joke", especially on NYC subways.

Ukraine is joke to you?! Ukraine is NOT JOKE!

Ukraine?

[Dark Lord Seth]

Don't they have those Russian T-80 tanks still around from the cold war? Might be an idea...

Of course, you could give the guy who modded the V8 engine a ring instead; 2ghz T-80 anyone?

Secret Agenda

[Erick the Red]

This "FM radio station" is really a terrorist organization that wants to test anti-computer weapons of mass destruction to use against Western nations! Is there a website where I can watch?

Ya know, I'm tired of all this crap

[kfg]

I've been hearing it all my life, if you spend too much time reading,at the movies, at the arcade, in front of the TV, NOT reading. . . it'll ruin you life.

And now computers. "Internet Addiction," "Computer Game Addiction, etc.

Well I'm sorry. Smack is addictive. TV, books and computers are compelling. If you think you spend too much time at the computer. . .Well get the hell up and walk away no and again Sparky.

You don't have a monkey on your back. You really do just lack self control. Control yourself, or give up trying, but at least shut the hell up about it. It's your problem

Spending too much time at the computer simply isn't one of my issues. I enjoy it and it's never caused me any harm. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go for coffee.

Ummmmmm, I can't stand up. Hey, my legs. Where the hell are my LEGS?!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

KFG

Re:I won!

[kfg]

"I installed Windows 95 and my computer suicided itself"

I installed Red Hat 5.2 and my computer can't figure out how to edit its scripts so it can commit suicide.

KFG

Ukrainians can't afford to do this.

[StarKruzr]

The Ukraine is not the wealthiest country in the world by any means. Every single piece of computer hardware they've got is an extremely valuable commodity and could be very useful in a "non-addictive" setting SOMEWHERE. How about a school? Library? SOMETHING rather than destroying an extremely useful tool?

I hate wanton, frivolous waste.

Re:Ukrainians can't afford to do this.

[Lossenelin]

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the country as poor, coincidently enough I was talking to my Ukrainian girlfriend about computers a few days ago and back when she was living in Ukraine most of her friends had some good hardware (as did she) a bit off topic but interestingly enough, she was the only one in her circle of friends who didn't run Linux, its an incrediably popular OS over their.

Re:Ukrainians can't afford to do this.

[macrom]

SOMETHING rather than destroying an extremely useful tool?

So maybe they could destroy the servers of Russian spammers and all those .ru open mail relays instead.