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Self-taught rocket scientist finally blasts off into California sky
"Mad" Mike Hughes, the rocket man who believes the Earth is flat, propelled himself about 1,875 feet into the air Saturday before a hard landing in the Mojave Desert. He told The Associated Press that outside of an aching back he's fine after the launch near Amboy, California.
"Relieved," he said after being checked out by paramedics. "I'm tired of people saying I chickened out and didn't build a rocket. I'm tired of that stuff. I manned up and did it."
The launch in the desert town — about 200 miles east of Los Angeles — was originally scheduled in November. It was scrubbed several times due to logistical issues with the Bureau of Land Management and mechanical problems that kept popping up.
Previously: Flat Earther Plans Manned Steam-Powered Rocket Launch
Federal Government Denies Permission for Flat Earth Researcher's Rocket Launch
(Score: 3, Informative) by deadstick on Monday March 26 2018, @12:17PM (3 children)
Is there nobody left alive who remembers the era of publicity stunts? You do something dangerous, you get in the papers, and you get a chance -- not a sure thing, but a chance -- at a commercial deal. It's just going over Niagara Falls in a 21st-century barrel. Surely someone remembers the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle from Ideal Toys.
This guy is no more a flat-earther than you and I are. He's a shrewd publicist who knows how to get dimwits to pay for, and/or publicize, his venture.
(Score: 2) by looorg on Monday March 26 2018, @01:44PM
I wonder what the toy market is like for steampunk mad scientist/engineer action figures ... Does he come with a kung-fu deathgrip?
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Monday March 26 2018, @03:21PM
Yep, didn't the article even say there wasn't any good evidence the guy actually rode in the thing? The guy is a huckster, and didn't even allegedly believe in flat-eartherism until recently, because he was able to get a bunch of morons to send him money with this publicity stunt by claiming to be.
(Score: 2) by vux984 on Monday March 26 2018, @06:46PM
"Is there nobody left alive who remembers the era of publicity stunts? You do something dangerous, you get in the papers, and you get a chance -- not a sure thing, but a chance -- at a commercial deal. "
There is a reason the era ended. Turned out getting in the papers for doing something dangerous is a less effective route to celebrity than going viral for doing something stupid on youtube.