I used to be a raver once. Circa 2003 the combination of my inquisitive teenage mind (I was 16) and my locale (Near Byron Bay) meant that in terms of weekend options, a rave in the bush was just as likely as a house party…
Along the way I’ve seen my fair share of mutants moonlighting as human beings. I’ve danced til dawn amidst speakers suspended in tree branches. I’ve seen 50 year old fire twirlers rock up out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. I’ve seen people pushed to the brink of sanity (I personally survived relatively unscathed save a sore head the morning after). But never have I ever heard of people going blind when they rave it up. Until now.
Twelve revelers had confirmed cases of laser-blindness at the Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, Russia while up to 17 more were affected due in no small part to the incompetence of organizers. Due to rain, tents were assembled to offer the audience reprieve from the elements. These tents also inadvertently covered lighting rigs which were designed to illuminate the sky. When the high powered lasers were switched on they reflected off the canopy and proceeded to scorch some exposed retina…
Poor guys. They’ll never see another glow stick again. Rave safe y’all.
