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THE FARM— There's a reason that compilation videos like this one on YouTube have millions of views. Demolitions are fun to watch. Especially in person. When you combine explosives with destruction, then throw in a pinch of chaos, what's not to like?
The problem is that sometimes people treat real demolitions as a movie, instead of a dangerous event. Perhaps we're all just immune to the intensity of the moment because we've seen it play out in a thousand action movies over the years. Well, it's all fun and games until debris starts raining from the sky.
This video highlights this situation better than anything else I've seen.
A group of people are eagerly watching as a structure from the Hope Farmers Elevator Company in North Dakota is demolished. The enormous building topples to the ground like a wounded beast, unleashing a massive dust cloud.
Yet, no one moves. They're spectators, after all. And spectators usually don't plan on being personally involved in the action. They're just there to watch.
But this demolished grain elevator building had other ideas. And as the ominous dust cloud approaches the crowd, they finally realized that they should head for the hills. I have no idea where they ran or if they were spared the full wrath of the dust. But it's safe to say that they probably had a gritty sensation in the mouth for at least a week after this happened.