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 popcat97
 |  | Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
< on 9/21/2011 12:34 AM >
|  | | | Greetings!
I'm a creative writer major currently enrolled in an undergraduate course in writing creative nonfiction, and for my first essay I'm doing an immersion piece on urban exploration. Since the number of urban explorers in my area is small, I would be really grateful to anyone willing to answer some questions for me, or partake in a personal interview via phone or email. I really want this piece to cover a broad range of urban explorers, so anyone willing to discuss the practice with me is encouraged and their input appreciated.
I have a few general questions:
1.) What is your definition of urban exploration?
2.) How/why did you get involved in urban exploration?
3.) Have your experiences in urban exploration altered how you perceive the world around you? If so, how?
4.) How has urban exploration contributed to your life? Does it enrich your daily experience? How?
5.)What aspect of urban exploration attracted your interest?
6.) Does urban exploration define you in some sense? If so, how?
I know those are pretty heavy questions. Feel free to answer any/all of them if you like. I'm copying my story pitch here so you guys can get an idea of what my piece will look like. If you don't care, don't worry about reading it.
Keep Out: Urban Exploration, a Story of Defiance
We were given a perfect world but it wasn’t good enough. As the mind of man evolved it became conscious of many things formerly unnoticed, and at the forefront of his consciousness lay his own desire, his own needs, which grew larger and more numerous by the hour. The world became a resource—the clay from which dreams were formed, and the place where ambitions could be realized. And in the name of progress, forests were felled, fields churned up, great cities erected, rules, codes, and laws established. Progress has won out and we exist in a world worn, built, and changed by man. Yet, our own fickle natures refuse to conform, even if the mold is one of our own design. We are constantly looking for ways to subvert the maze of our creation in effort to create new standards—purer standards in a sense because our own world has usurped that of nature. Rebels have always been present in human culture—from the subtly mischievous to the shockingly brazen, and the malcontents of urban exploration straddle a line somewhere between the two.
I’ll immerse myself in, as well as research urban exploration in effort to understand the practice. But most importantly, I want to understand the people who engage in it, and why they do it in the first place—what does it represent to them? And what does it contribute to their lives? I intend to contextualize this information in a study of the psychology of rebellion and risk. In other words, why, for as long as written history, have people fought to retain a notion of freewill? And why is freewill so often exerted in the knowing disregard of rules—rules which may or may not symbolize important values in our society? I’ll gain insight and research through my participation in urban exploration and my interviews with local explorers. I’ll be spending several weeks with a man who is considered the “go-to” guy for urban exploration. He goes by the urbex name Eshalon and he formed and the led the Louisville urbex group. With his expertise and guidance we’ll explore a drain, eerie abandonments, and rooftops so that I’m able to get a full perspective of the urbex landscape—from the innards to the crown. I’ll also participate in one urbex “meet-up” where I’ll meet with a group of local urbexers for breakfast and interviews and then we’ll all go out and explore together. I also intend to visit forums and message boards on the topic and ask about people’s experiences with urban exploration and the motivation behind what may be considered dissident behavior.
There are castles, mansions, parks, open spaces where these people could explore without fear of arrest, fines, injury, or imprisonment, and yet they insist on exploring spaces which they are, at least lawfully, denied access to. Is the rebellion an element of interest? I want to incorporate this theme of the human psychological need to rebel, and civil disobedience as a more philosophical counterpoint to my immersion work. Through my research I’ve found several academic essays dealing with the idea that rebellion and crime are important aspects to human evolution and development, and I think these would work well in developing the philosophical aspect of my essay. I’m also working on getting in contact with a psyche professor at a local university who I can interview in regards to the psychology of human rebellion.
Though I’ve no experience as an urban explorer, and little as an investigative reporter, I have an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for adventure that I think places the topic in my favor. In addition, it’s a topic which I’ve only grown more passionate about through the beginning stages of my immersion, so that I’ve a strong drive to compose a piece that is honest, visceral, and compelling.
I want to tell the story of urban exploration through the eyes and hearts of those most passionate about it, and in so doing, perhaps be able to answer some of the above questions. However, if concrete answers are unlikely (as they so often are in true life) than I at least want to paint a picture of a world not commonly seen, and an aspect of the human mind and will which we don’t often like to address: that of defiance.
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Loki
  
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Gender: Male
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 1 on 9/21/2011 12:52 AM >
| | | | | I’ll be spending several weeks with a man who is considered the “go-to” guy for urban exploration. He goes by the urbex name Eshalon |
Hehe
Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank | Wank |
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Captain_Slow
   
The infamous Buttram Manfist
Location: Dallas, Tx
Gender: Male
Obviously capable of mediocre things.
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 2 on 9/21/2011 1:00 AM >
| | | | Posted by popcat97\ I would be really grateful to anyone willing to answer some questions for me, or partake in a personal interview via phone or email.
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PM me and I'll send you my info, too busy atm to write something up
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Rinzler
  
Location: New Jersey
Nomad
| |  | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 3 on 9/21/2011 1:09 AM >
| | | | Posted by popcat97
Greetings!
I’ll be spending several weeks with a man who is considered the “go-to” guy for urban exploration. He goes by the urbex name Eshalon and he formed and the led the Louisville urbex group.
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Uhhh you mean Eschaton? lol
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&posterid=43163
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popcat97
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 4 on 9/21/2011 1:18 AM >
| | | |
Yes, indeed. Typo. Muh bad.
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jeepdave
Location: Anderson, SC
Gender: Male
It's also a gun.
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 5 on 9/21/2011 1:45 AM >
| | | | Posted by Captain_Slow
PM me and I'll send you my info, too busy atm to write something up
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ditto. I am currently enjoying a delicious apple and cannot bring myself to put it down.
Ezekiel 25:17 |
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Steed
  
Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor
| |  | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 6 on 9/21/2011 3:18 AM >
| | | | I suppose I could. I finished all my work in the morning and now don't have much to do.
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The Seeker
Location: Greater Toronto Area
Gender: Male
Time's Person of the Year for 2006
| | | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 7 on 9/21/2011 3:48 AM >
| | | | Posted by Captain_Slow
PM me and I'll send you my info, too busy atm to write something up
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same with this! PM with some questions, and I'll do my best to give you answers. presently working on my own paper about "The Effect Of Advertising in Modern Day Society" -_- I'll answer whatever questions you can think of as soon as I'm done
Sony a7II | Canon 5D mkII | Canon Rebel XSi | Sony 28mm f/2.0 | Yashica 50mm f/1.9 | Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM | Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 |
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hatsumi
| | | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 8 on 9/21/2011 11:25 PM >
| | | | 1.) What is your definition of urban exploration?
exploring the uninhabited elements of the urban landscape in order to take photos that can be traded for cred points.
2.) How/why did you get involved in urban exploration?
i was always doing it, someone just coined a phrase for it and now i'm labelled with it.
3.) Have your experiences in urban exploration altered how you perceive the world around you? If so, how?
we live in a wasteful world, we create, abandon then destroy. the more i explore the more i see wasted resources, destroyed history.......i now more than ever see the world as a playground with the best stuff left for those who know how to find it.
4.) How has urban exploration contributed to your life? Does it enrich your daily experience? How?
it enriched my perception of my environment and how i can interact with it, my perception of social history has also changed and the development of the urban landscape.
5.)What aspect of urban exploration attracted your interest?
i've always been socially misaligned, exploring places no one else goes provides respite from the otherwise disjointed and mundane experience of ordinary life...from even ten years old my preferred way to spend time has been in old buildings, bushland, construction sites...anywhere i don't have to interact with others.
6.) Does urban exploration define you in some sense? If so, how?
no it doesn't define me, it is merely an aspect of my life, albeit the prominent one, again, someone coined the term urban exploration and its become what it is, for me its just always been something i enjoyed doing, i [refer not to consider myself an urban explorer, the connotations are different to how i perceive myself.
drainasaurus maximus |
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AnAppleSnail
Location: Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
ALL the flashlights!
| | | | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 9 on 9/21/2011 11:35 PM >
| | | | 1.) What is your definition of urban exploration?
Experiencing man-made things in an unusual way. Where you see a city street, I see the backstage that makes it work. The storm drains, the power lines, the utility tunnels, the transit spaces, the elevator shafts. The service corridors, the cleaning closets, and the ducts. A lot of the urban exploration you know about comes from the group that takes pictures and videos of what they do.
2.) How/why did you get involved in urban exploration?
I was walking down a creek and it went underground - so did I. Later I researched to find bigger tunnels and instead found this community.
3.) Have your experiences in urban exploration altered how you perceive the world around you? If so, how?
Now I see the world less as it was intended and more as it is. For example, a hotel plans on you using the hallways, elevator car, lobby, and a room. Really, there's not much keeping you out of the back service areas, the pool room, the roof, the elevator shaft, or the expensive suite sitting empty.
The other three are too boring to answer since I can't talk about flashlights in them. Read these instead.
clicky
The user journals have thoughts like that.
Achievement Unlocked
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team haymaker
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 10 on 9/22/2011 2:44 PM >
| | | | Posted by popcat97
Yes, indeed. Typo. Muh bad.
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this is a fantastic start for a writer......
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popcat97
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 11 on 9/23/2011 11:06 PM >
| | | | Posted by team haymaker
this is a fantastic start for a writer......
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Aww, shucks! Ain't you just the sweetest?
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Breach
Location: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 12 on 9/24/2011 3:21 AM >
| | | | I hope to whatever deity this doesn't end up like the LEO article from a few months back...
"I set the bar high, it makes it easier to sneak under." -J.D. Jenkins |
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team haymaker
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 13 on 9/24/2011 12:58 PM >
| | | | isnt that the way they usually go?
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Breach
Location: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 14 on 9/26/2011 1:05 AM >
| | | | Posted by team haymaker
isnt that the way they usually go?
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I met and explored with popcat today. I think she'll do fine.
"I set the bar high, it makes it easier to sneak under." -J.D. Jenkins |
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Jonno23
Location: Phoenix, Az, Sector zz9 Plural Z Alpha
Gender: Male
This space for rent
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 15 on 9/30/2011 9:32 PM >
| | | | 1.) What is your definition of urban exploration?
Going into places that I otherwise would not go, or am not supposed to be. Exploration is finding the unknown. Apply that to the urban environment and you have abandoned buildings, drains, rooftops, a vacant floor on a skyscraper downtown, etc.
2.) How/why did you get involved in urban exploration?
Started wandering into abandoned buildings when I was a kid, and found the things left behind, and the decay interesting. Still do.
3.) Have your experiences in urban exploration altered how you perceive the world around you? If so, how?
Like Apple said, I have a new appreciation for what there is behind the scenes. Hotels, malls and buildings kind of remind me of the phrase, "All the world's a stage." start going into the maintenance tunnels, and back rooms, maintenance areas and the like and they are kind of like "back stage." All teh carefull image that the mall, or hotel carefully crafted for itself just disappears when the public is no longer supposed to see it.
4.) How has urban exploration contributed to your life? Does it enrich your daily experience? How?
Not daily, cause I have a life as well. It does seem to enrich me on a level that it doesn't for others, but then again, I dont understand the fascination with others' hobbies as well. It is a hobby. same as stamp collecting enriches somebody on an emotional level, this hobby does that for me. Plus it allows me to get out into the world around me, and not waste all my time sitting staring at a television, or parked at a computer. I get to go out and experience things and environments that I normally wouldn't. I get to take pictures, and try to convey the feeling I get to others, whether they "get it" or not. It has also helped me to bond on another level with my daughter. I take her to low risk safe places, and she has taken an interest in photography that helps us to connect even more. I guess I also drive my friends and family nuts out driving around too. I am always on the lookout for a new place, and it can upset some of them when I turn the car around, just to drive by a promising building and take a better look.
6.) Does urban exploration define you in some sense? If so, how?
In a small sense I guess it has to. Everything we do defines us at least in some sense. It is something I do. But, not entirely who I am. yes I am an explorer I guess. But I am also a dad, a husband, a friend, a photographer (maybe one day), a sports enthusiast, a youth coach, a music nut,a horrible poet, an angry maniacal maniac if you cut me off in traffic, etc. etc. etc.
Hope it helped. I ignored 5. It did not amuse me.
Blah Blah Blah. Shut up and open the damn door.
"It's ok Officer, I watch a lot of cop shows on tv, so i am practically one of you guys." - sadly, that didn't work.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonno23/ All my photos suck. |
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Price
Location: Houston,TX
Gender: Male
Urbex: Keeping record of things most people have forgotten.
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 16 on 10/10/2011 6:36 PM >
| | | | dont bring any crowbars.
also that last reporter got under my rug with the whole breaking into thing.
but anyway.
=]
“It still amazes me how many millions goes to discovering another star in the galaxies when, for all we know, we are still sitting on top of another undiscovered world beneath our feet.”
-Martin Dansky (1952) |
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GoldenFilmsUrbanSearch
Location: Massachusetts
Gender: Male
| | Re: Writer looking for urbexers to share experiences
<Reply # 17 on 10/18/2011 9:54 PM >
| | | | Urban Exploration basically defines me as a person who wants to go off limits to comb the places uninhabitable by society, someplace the the city has long rejected as people progressed with life and technology.
This video sparked my UE interest.
http://www.youtube...hnt2JFUvjY&ob=av3e
-Golden Gun
[last edit 10/18/2011 9:56 PM by GoldenFilmsUrbanSearch - edited 1 times]
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