The curse of the Vuvuzealot

[hairyears]

Tell me, O Wise Ones of The InterWeb: are there long-term health effects associated with blowing the Vuvuzela?

And if not, why not? I ask merely for infomation... And in the hope that the benighted oiks who play* the blasted things will die a horrible death. Or better still, be struck by some embarrassing debilitation that will make their fellow-

Comments

[uisgebeatha]

Various types of damage to the ear, is all I know.

Take it you wouldn't be a fan of the German vuvuzelaists playing the Bolero? ;-)

[mattp]

"Inflict" is one word which comes to mind. On this topic, have you seen http://i.imgur.com/WXNmF.jpg ?

[hairyears]

Oh yes. That. Concerto for Vuvuzela in b-flat.

[ladynina]

Bloke is an acoustics expert and was interviewed about this for the beeb. Catch up has now gone but the short answer is yes, but long term. He also pointed out (being a union bod) that the refs, lines men and players could have a case under noise levels at work. Have I mentioned I love this man (when he's not driving me up the wall) lately?

[flavius_m]

Hear, hear.

[hairyears]

Why thank you: there's a use for vuvuzela's as an aid to training dogs to defaecate on command. Deep down, I was sure that they were useful for something, and I suspected that it would be an unpleasant but necessary task.

What other uses spring to mind? Could there be a rôle in the orderly disposal of dogshit, as well as in regimenting its production?

Why yes...

I must write to the newspapers and the Ministry of Justice, suggesting that any dangerous and antisocial moron convicted of honking a vuvuzela after dark is forced to use the instrument to cleanse the streets of dog turds. For first-time offenders, by shovelling; for repeat offenders, by suction.