For the Acrophobic who has everything
September 26, 2015 1:19 AM Subscribe
Could you roller skate across this bridge? It's 300 meters long and 180 meters above the ground, and the entire bridge floor is made of glass.
No.
posted by marienbad at 2:14 AM on September 26, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by marienbad at 2:14 AM on September 26, 2015 [5 favorites]
No. I'd fall on my ass. People not supposed to have wheels.
posted by pipeski at 2:28 AM on September 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by pipeski at 2:28 AM on September 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
The first time I knew the somewhat acrophobic Mr. Carmicha cared for me was when we visited Toronto's CN Tower, the world's third tallest, which features a small area with a glass floor. I went out and stood on it, just me and a bunch of kids who were lying on the floor and looking down into the abyss. I saw he wore the same expression combining fear and resolute commitment to resist the urge to shout out a warning or grab me off that was on the parents' faces. It was a revelation.
posted by carmicha at 2:47 AM on September 26, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 2:47 AM on September 26, 2015 [13 favorites]
Clearly you can't walk on that bridge wearing normal footwear. Wonder what the blue shoes are made of?
posted by Peach at 3:01 AM on September 26, 2015
posted by Peach at 3:01 AM on September 26, 2015
I don't think the blue things are shoes. They look like specially made plastic bags to wear on top of the shoes, to keep from scratching the glass.
posted by I-Write-Essays at 3:21 AM on September 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by I-Write-Essays at 3:21 AM on September 26, 2015 [4 favorites]
Those comments below the article are like 2008 Yahoo Answers insane.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:26 AM on September 26, 2015 [21 favorites]
posted by Literaryhero at 3:26 AM on September 26, 2015 [21 favorites]
Jesus imagine trying to get an air bubble out of the screen protector.
posted by howfar at 3:34 AM on September 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by howfar at 3:34 AM on September 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
NOPE.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:00 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:00 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
You know how sometimes tempered glass oven fronts can just shatter without warning?
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:11 AM on September 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:11 AM on September 26, 2015 [8 favorites]
Yes, I will bike this route.
posted by oheso at 4:15 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by oheso at 4:15 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Definitely don't read the comments. But they do suggest everyone in the pictures is wearing those blue shoes to avoid scratching the glass. Rollerskates or bikes probably not welcome. </captain-no-fun>
posted by sourcejedi at 4:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sourcejedi at 4:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
It would all depend on how much graft was involved in building the bridge in the first place, and more importantly whether all the parts are up to spec or not.
posted by rockindata at 4:34 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 4:34 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
I would walk on this and the entire time my legs would be weak and trembly. I'd be swearing and cursing under my breath with each step as I griped the rail and carefully slid my hand along it. Then I'd get to the other side and be all smiles and little joyful jumps that I did it!
Heights and suspension bridges scare the crap out of me. I have dreams that I go to the edge of something high and the ground and any rails go all rubbery and I struggle to keep my balance.
I'm not sure why I don't avoid them. It's something about the thrill and satisfaction of overcoming a fear I think.
posted by Jalliah at 4:37 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
Heights and suspension bridges scare the crap out of me. I have dreams that I go to the edge of something high and the ground and any rails go all rubbery and I struggle to keep my balance.
I'm not sure why I don't avoid them. It's something about the thrill and satisfaction of overcoming a fear I think.
posted by Jalliah at 4:37 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
Those comments below the article are like 2008 Yahoo Answers insane.
*Pauses Ghostery, reloads page, scrolls down to read comments, head spins. Quickly starts Ghostery again, goes in search of a Ghostery donation page*
posted by KirkpatrickMac at 5:26 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
*Pauses Ghostery, reloads page, scrolls down to read comments, head spins. Quickly starts Ghostery again, goes in search of a Ghostery donation page*
posted by KirkpatrickMac at 5:26 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
Could you roller skate across this bridge?
...
I don't think the blue things are shoes. They look like specially made plastic bags to wear on top of the shoes, to keep from scratching the glass.
So no for two reasons.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:45 AM on September 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
...
I don't think the blue things are shoes. They look like specially made plastic bags to wear on top of the shoes, to keep from scratching the glass.
So no for two reasons.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:45 AM on September 26, 2015 [2 favorites]
This reminds me of a little story.
The Kinzua Railroad Bridge stood in a remote Pennsylvania forest until being shredded by a tornado, and a friend, who worked in the oil industry, often entertained visitors by taking them to see it.
One night he described drinking with "a few Texas boys" and the Kinzua Bridge came up. The Texans insisted that it could not be as tall as described, so off they went into the absolute darkness with a bad flashlight and some bottles of beer, laughing and lurching along the narrow wooden walkway next to the tracks.
My friend led them out to what he guessed was the midpoint of the trestle, and asked his guests to drop an empty bottle and wait for the sound of it striking the rocks below.
Richard laughed as he described what happened next.
"Those Texans turned white as ghosts, swore, dropped to their knees and crawled back to terra firma. Good thing the flashlight batteries held up most of the way."
posted by kinnakeet at 5:52 AM on September 26, 2015 [13 favorites]
The Kinzua Railroad Bridge stood in a remote Pennsylvania forest until being shredded by a tornado, and a friend, who worked in the oil industry, often entertained visitors by taking them to see it.
One night he described drinking with "a few Texas boys" and the Kinzua Bridge came up. The Texans insisted that it could not be as tall as described, so off they went into the absolute darkness with a bad flashlight and some bottles of beer, laughing and lurching along the narrow wooden walkway next to the tracks.
My friend led them out to what he guessed was the midpoint of the trestle, and asked his guests to drop an empty bottle and wait for the sound of it striking the rocks below.
Richard laughed as he described what happened next.
"Those Texans turned white as ghosts, swore, dropped to their knees and crawled back to terra firma. Good thing the flashlight batteries held up most of the way."
posted by kinnakeet at 5:52 AM on September 26, 2015 [13 favorites]
Back when I was a married guy, my wife and I drove across country. We took the scenic route through Colorado which included the million dollar highway. I watched from the passenger seat as the drop off got closer and closer, my anxiety increasing until finally I had a panic attack and demanded that my wife stop the car. Do you want me to pull over she asked? NO! DO NOT PULL OVER! THERE IS NO OVER TO PULL! She stopped the car and talked me down, and I agreed not to look out the window 'til we were somewhere with an edge. Once we were past the scary part it was absolutely gorgeous.
So, no, not for me.
posted by evilDoug at 5:59 AM on September 26, 2015 [7 favorites]
So, no, not for me.
posted by evilDoug at 5:59 AM on September 26, 2015 [7 favorites]
Yes yes I said yes!
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:11 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:11 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
The blue bags for your shoes are very common in the construction industry towards the end of a job and are used to (attempt to) prevent tradespeople in enormous boots spoiling finished floors. Strangely, they are known as blue shoes.
Jesus imagine trying to get an air bubble out of the screen protector.
You jest, but in all likelihood there is actually a film on the glass that is very much like a screen protector, it gets replaced at regular intervals. The people that install them are very skilled and they have methods that involve spray bottles of detergent, sponges and a good deal of dexterity.
You know how sometimes tempered glass oven fronts can just shatter without warning?
I've managed the installation of a couple of glass floors, the glass construction we have used (as specified by an engineer) is two layers of toughened glass that are laminated together and then a third layer on top, also toughened and sometimes laminated to the other two, that is thinner and sacrificial in case of an impact. I have seen that theory put into practice and what happens is the top layer of toughened glass shatters spectacularly but remains in place, protecting the two underneath from damage. It looks bad but is still quite safe to walk on - I have freaked people out by doing so.
The thickness of the full glass assembly, which I think I am remembering correctly, was 38mm, for a panel about the size of those in the article.
posted by deadwax at 6:54 AM on September 26, 2015 [10 favorites]
Jesus imagine trying to get an air bubble out of the screen protector.
You jest, but in all likelihood there is actually a film on the glass that is very much like a screen protector, it gets replaced at regular intervals. The people that install them are very skilled and they have methods that involve spray bottles of detergent, sponges and a good deal of dexterity.
You know how sometimes tempered glass oven fronts can just shatter without warning?
I've managed the installation of a couple of glass floors, the glass construction we have used (as specified by an engineer) is two layers of toughened glass that are laminated together and then a third layer on top, also toughened and sometimes laminated to the other two, that is thinner and sacrificial in case of an impact. I have seen that theory put into practice and what happens is the top layer of toughened glass shatters spectacularly but remains in place, protecting the two underneath from damage. It looks bad but is still quite safe to walk on - I have freaked people out by doing so.
The thickness of the full glass assembly, which I think I am remembering correctly, was 38mm, for a panel about the size of those in the article.
posted by deadwax at 6:54 AM on September 26, 2015 [10 favorites]
I have no problem walking, lying down or jumping on the glass floor at the CN tower because I have faith in the engineers who worked on it and the financial consequences for the CN tower should the floor fail and I fall to my death. Deservedly or not I don't have the same faith for this, and I can't think of a way to convince myself otherwise.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:59 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:59 AM on September 26, 2015 [6 favorites]
Giant spiders would have to be chasing me, and maybe not even then.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 7:02 AM on September 26, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 7:02 AM on September 26, 2015 [11 favorites]
Those comments below the article are like 2008 Yahoo Answers insane.
A little-known fact is that all Yahoo Answers answers, even those from the present day, are from 2008.
posted by threeants at 7:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [10 favorites]
A little-known fact is that all Yahoo Answers answers, even those from the present day, are from 2008.
posted by threeants at 7:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [10 favorites]
I can feel my scrotum retract just thinking about it.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:43 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:43 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
That bridge reminds me of this bridge. (SLYT)
posted by datawrangler at 8:06 AM on September 26, 2015
posted by datawrangler at 8:06 AM on September 26, 2015
I feel like relevant information has been left out:
It's 300 meters long and 180 meters above the ground, and the entire bridge floor is made of glass.
Sure no problem.
China's...
Nevermind, not doing it.
posted by yeolcoatl at 9:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [5 favorites]
It's 300 meters long and 180 meters above the ground, and the entire bridge floor is made of glass.
Sure no problem.
China's...
Nevermind, not doing it.
posted by yeolcoatl at 9:27 AM on September 26, 2015 [5 favorites]
Those comments are nuts. The first one is "High altitude? Doesn't look that high."
Well, how high does it need to be, to kill you if you fall from it? To me, it looks about twenty times that high.
posted by kythuen at 9:47 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
Well, how high does it need to be, to kill you if you fall from it? To me, it looks about twenty times that high.
posted by kythuen at 9:47 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
Roller skate across!? Not in a million years. Walk across, oh hell yeah!
posted by redindiaink at 10:42 AM on September 26, 2015
posted by redindiaink at 10:42 AM on September 26, 2015
They're missing a picture from a person looking down perspective.
posted by ian1977 at 10:53 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ian1977 at 10:53 AM on September 26, 2015 [3 favorites]
kythuen: "Well, how high does it need to be, to kill you if you fall from it? "
In construction, 10% of the people who die as a result of a fall from a ladder do so from a ladder 6'/2m tall or less.
posted by Mitheral at 1:13 PM on September 26, 2015
In construction, 10% of the people who die as a result of a fall from a ladder do so from a ladder 6'/2m tall or less.
posted by Mitheral at 1:13 PM on September 26, 2015
Blue footies? Huh... So I take it my diamond studded crampons are right out...
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:19 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:19 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Who squeegees the underside?
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:20 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 2:20 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sky Tower in Auckland and Sydney Tower (In, duh, Sydney) both have transparent floor sections on their observation levels. Even knowing they were there, it made my pulse flutter just to walk over them.
posted by TDavis at 3:32 PM on September 26, 2015
posted by TDavis at 3:32 PM on September 26, 2015
NOPE. Ah. Understatement. Well played.
posted by bricoleur at 7:09 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bricoleur at 7:09 PM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Is there anything like the blue shoes for when I inevitably shit myself halfway across? Also, how are we going to work out delivering food to me? I can shower when it rains, because there is ZERO FUCKING CHANCE I would ever make it across...
posted by Samizdata at 3:00 AM on September 27, 2015
posted by Samizdata at 3:00 AM on September 27, 2015
I'm imagining going out when it rains, spraying some dish soap on there and slip-n-sliding all the way across.
posted by mcrandello at 3:57 PM on September 29, 2015
posted by mcrandello at 3:57 PM on September 29, 2015
Glass walkway cracks after tourist drops Thermos
Completely cements my desire to never be anywhere near this, or any other, glass bridge.
posted by KirkpatrickMac at 5:07 AM on October 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Completely cements my desire to never be anywhere near this, or any other, glass bridge.
posted by KirkpatrickMac at 5:07 AM on October 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
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