[UA] Circle of Friends -- Sounds of 70s Campaign Ideas

[Stuart Anderson]

Royal Minister of Stuff wrote:

>  He may not deserve ridicule, but ridicule he
> got.  Him and -I know this is going to touch a nerve-
> Kneivel.

    Now you've done it. I can't even *believe* you chose to
go there! Rp, you *know* how I feel about the man. I don't
think there're but--what?--six years between us? I guess
those were six big years. Objectively, I can separate my self
and reluctantly acknowledge that if your memories of Evel are
based on Motel Six commercials, infomercials for the
Invigotron or whatever that was--a grill lighter that eased
arthritis pain--and his unfortunate appearance on Politically
Incorrect, then I can see how you could see him as a less
than serious sports figure. But man--if you could've seen him
strap that goddamned rocket bike to his ass and launch
himself into the void over Snake River--I think even a hip,
liberal innalechual like yourself could see how nothing that
happens now can touch the man. He walks among the giants. If
you need to revisit the halcyon days of motorsports madness,
you can get a taste at http://www.evel.com/
    I was reviewing the list of 70salgia that Tim posted, and
a narrative device occurred to me. One I used for Snake River
Apocalypse without even thinking about what I was doing. Do
you remember the song (or movie) Convoy? Or possibly
Americathon? Even Smokey & the Bandit did this a little.
There was this thing in the 70s about linear story
development along one line, building to an impossible peak,
then dropping off a cliff with no dénouement whatsoever. It
felt as though everything in the 70s started small, with an
outrageous idea. Then built into some kind of giant, tacky,
glittering, sequin-encrusted spandex spectacle, as the world
became aware (presumably over the CB) Then flashed in the pan
as the world turned to something else. It's a tough thing to
do in a game, because other media can cut to credits. In
games, your players will always be there to say "Damn. Now
what?" But if you can pull it off, it does evoke the spirit
of the time. Even very weird and creepy things that possibly
deserved attention got swept up in the hype. Some needs to
run a game featuring Leonard Nimoy "In Search Of . . .the
Hidden Clergy" You couldn't wake the Tiger in the 70s,
because he was always awake, trying to cope with Bigfoot, the
Bermuda Triangle, cults, ancient astronauts (my personal
favorite) and the Loch Ness Monster.
--Stu


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