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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

How to Tell People Your Hobby is Making and Collecting Lasers

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Well, since i have to explain my hobby to pretty much EVERY SINGLE PERSON I MEET, i thought i might post a thread on how to have a smooth explanation and conversation with someone who wants to know about your hobby.

STEP 1: Ease into the topic; don't just say, "I BUILD/COLLECT LASERS" because to most people, that means the little cheapie 5mw red pointers. Also, don't say the word "pointer/s" because it makes it less impressive :D

To properly start the conversation, you can say something like, "Have you ever seen that video of that guy who has that laser that can set stuff on fire"?

STEP 2: Now regardless of their response, you can say, "well, i build those, and i make a couple of buck for it too! I get paid to do what i love. Its the best hobby EVAR"! $_$

STEP 3: Now, the conversation will go either of two ways, 1) they will not believe you and will ask for proof, where you will show them the prerecorded video on your phone showing your most prized laser setting something on fire, or 2) they will be impressed.

Now, part one of step 3 will lead to part too of step three, so we will continue from there.

STEP 4: This usually consists of a series of questions about your hobby, and the person is a friend or you know them well, they might want to see your L.A.S.E.R.s. Make sure they wear safety goggles too, though, if you show them, which will make them even more impressed!

However, if they are just the ordinary guy inquiring on your hobby, they might ask you things like, "How much do you make ($)?" or "What kinds have you built?" or "What kind of safety do you use?" <---------- VERY IMPORTANT! ANSWER THIS ONE EVEN IF THEY DON'T ASK!

STEP 5: Answer all of their (fair) questions with confidence, and them seeing that you are proud of your hobby will make them more impressed.

At the end, whoever you are talking too will have a semi-decent understanding of your hobby and will probably walk away having a little more respect for you.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! It works for me, hope it works for you!
-Matt
 
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Joined
Jun 7, 2012
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One thing I've learned, don't bother showing anyone during the day, at night is when it blows peoples minds.
 
Joined
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One thing I've learned, don't bother showing anyone during the day, at night is when it blows peoples minds.

Tru Dat

24lu74o.jpg


^

HUH link not working, i did it right!

Whatever

https://www.dropbox.com/s/clunigyxa1mqy0f/24lu74o.jpg
 
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Joined
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For a couple of reasons, I can often be found with my carrying case in tow. So, if I encounter any incredulity, I can whip it out, complete with safety glasses in the case.
 
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Normally I just tell them I work on lasers, and we're normally in the dorms (we don't get out much) so I invite them over and turn on my argon, or my 543 so they can see the plasma, and give them a 405nm pointer to shine at the patch of GITD duct tape on my wall. Gets em every time ;)
 
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BP, you have such nice toys..particularly for your spatial situation!

I'll bet that argon can keep the whole dorm room heated in winter.
 
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Thanks! I did use my argon once to warm up my room when the heat wasn't working.

Speaking of, she needs to be ran soon..
 
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Joined
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I feel that showing a laser burning often creates more Qs than it answers.
In the majority of cases it has the exact opposite effect you desire.

Most everyone has seen a lasershow someplace. I think that if you tell them your 'goal' is to do entertaining with a laser projector- thn very few will se anything odd about that.


maybe they do not entirely know how our lives are effected every day by lasers.
Or that it is now generally believed that the laser is a far more important invention than Edison's light bulb(about to become obsolete)

AND just like coin or butterfly collectors we do it because we like lasers.

hak
 

norbyx

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A more interesting tutorial would be..... "how to explain your wife you spent over $5K in lasers...."""

That could help me a lot.... ;)
 
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If a person, after seeing the beam at night, asks "Dude can you shine it into that bicyclist over there so he falls over?", is a punch to the face an appropriate answer?

Seriously I had people ask me that.
 
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You've already spent $5K? My dorm only has about $4K. Though that changes when I get my 589...so $5K soon, but not in 3 months. Lol slow your roll :p
 
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Most ask me "why? What lasers do? they are useful at all?"... My closest friends said they already know the answer, because I just explained that too many times :D

405nm - bluray burners
445nm - projectos
473nm - DNA sequencing
532nm - teachers' pointer, projectors, parties
660nm low powa - your everyday laser pointer :D
660nm (high power) - dvd burner
And people go like ":O I didn't know that".

Maybe thats just with the people I meet, I dunno.
 




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