Project Appleseed

So... this doesn't really matter, but I thought I'd bring it up for discussion anyway. 

We talk about the Three Strikes of the Match... I've always seen it as one match that doesn't quite catch the first two times that you flick it (I mean... it does say match... singular). However, I've had it referenced in a few other ways... Sometimes as three separate matches where the first two don't light. Sometimes as three matches that light, but the first two aren't able to get the tinder to catch.

How do YOU think about it?

I only started really thinking about it because I noticed a multiple-match reference in the PHenry strikes on the Tips page. Like I said... it's all semantics and prolly doesn't really matter, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway. We all know that Appleseeders like a good discussion!  hehe

I do it like "The first match was struck with so much force it broke", "The second match caught, flared, and went out in a puff of smoke" and "The third match was struck, caught, dropped, and started the grass fire of revolution".

I pretty much just stole the parts I liked best from various people's strikes. Of course, that pretty much sums up Appleseed history, no?

Roland

Yes Sir,
Semantics.
We do call it the three strikes of the match ( here in FL under PHenrey)and explain the first two there was some smoke maybe a flash, and then it fizzled out.
I noticed Ratchet uses the term differently.
The idea is that something happened;
but it was not enough the first two time and after the third there was no turning back.
I also like Rolands angle.
You changed your Avitar!
Are you still working on the slings?

Quote from: Foppish Dandy on April 05, 2012, 05:33:30 PM

How do YOU think about it?

I only started really thinking about it because I noticed a multiple-match reference in the PHenry strikes on the Tips page. Like I said... it's all semantics and prolly doesn't really matter, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway. We all know that Appleseeders like a good discussion!  hehe

I'd always thought about it as one match being struck 3 separate times and finally lighting up on the 3rd strike. While I'm thinking about it who uses matches anymore? Should it be three strikes of the Zippo? No wait, nobody uses zippos anymore either. Three strikes of the Bic?

Anyhow I just volunteered you for a small project. 

Quote from: scuzzy on April 05, 2012, 06:02:00 PM
I'd always thought about it as one match being struck 3 separate times and finally lighting up on the 3rd strike. While I'm thinking about it who uses matches anymore? Should it be three strikes of the Zippo? No wait, nobody uses zippos anymore either. Three strikes of the Bic?

Anyhow I just volunteered you for a small project. 

This is how I think of it as well.

Quote from: Sly223 on April 05, 2012, 06:01:19 PM
You changed your Avitar!
Are you still working on the slings?

Yup... I haven't done much in the past couple weeks as I've just been insanely busy. However, I'm looking to get into full swing soon!

Quote from: scuzzy on April 05, 2012, 06:02:00 PM
Anyhow I just volunteered you for a small project. 

Okay, good... I was getting worried. Fifteen minutes had passed by without me volunteering for something. 

Quote from: scuzzy on April 05, 2012, 06:02:00 PM

Anyhow I just volunteered you for a small project. 

Wait a minute, scuzzy, I came up with an idea this morning, passed it by him, and he accepted.  Wanna flip a coin?  I call "heads".

At the end of the 2nd;

Again the match to light the fuse of revolution had been struck.  Again, there was a bright flash, a little smoke, and nothing as the match extinguished.

Had nothing else occurred that day, there would have been inquiries, hearings, hangings and promotions, and the revolution would likely died then and there.  (same for 1st strike)

But about a mile outside of Concord, at a place called Meriam's Corner, American militia were pouring in, and the match was again, ready to be struck.

Gee, and as a long time Boy Scout and smoker I thought back to striking a match on a cover only to have it fail to light on the first or sometimes the second try, but on the third it lit and then could be used to light the fire. Same match took three attempts before it finally lit. YMMV

If they'd have had Bics back then; the story would be much shorter.

Colycat's explanation is probably the way I've heard it most often.
Then again, that could be because that's who I heard it from most often!

Always seemed to me that the flame itself was revolution. First two swipes the match sparks and smokes but it doesn't actually catch until the third strike. It's personal preference I guess, but I feel like the flame of revolution is a much more powerful metaphor.

Quote from: AFTERMATH on April 05, 2012, 08:21:09 PM
If they'd have had Bics back then; the story would be much shorter.

Colycat's explanation is probably the way I've heard it most often.
Then again, that could be because that's who I heard it from most often!

I dunno man... those child-proof Bics they make now can be a monster to get lit.

Quote from: Foppish Dandy on April 05, 2012, 08:28:39 PM
Always seemed to me that the flame itself was revolution. First two swipes the match sparks and smokes but it doesn't actually catch until the third strike. It's personal preference I guess, but I feel like the flame of revolution is a much more powerful metaphor.

Quote from: AFTERMATH on April 05, 2012, 08:21:09 PM
If they'd have had Bics back then; the story would be much shorter.

Colycat's explanation is probably the way I've heard it most often.
Then again, that could be because that's who I heard it from most often!

I dunno man... those child-proof Bics they make now can be a monster to get lit.

I believe it was Fred who wrote up something about the Appleseed Engineers awhile back.
Good piece on how we can improvise, adapt and overcome.  Whether it be a target-line in need of fixing or a makeshift shelter to get through a storm.  Applying these skills in life is just as essential.  Take for instance Bic's child safety device.  If one thinks it through, they will find the device can easily be compromised permanently.  All one needs is a cheap pocket knife or a hard set of teeth. 
(I'm going under the assumption that there are no laws forbidding such a modification.  If there are; don't read this, because I didn't write it.) 

Back on track though - If one really wants to dive into semantics the Revolution started as a sort of spontaneous combustion that spread until it hit a powder keg that was the Revolutionary War. 
Metaphorically, we're really talking about two separate fires.  The 'Three Strikes' works.  No need real need to hyper analyze, because it will always mean different things to different people.

Being only a simple tradesmen....

What pray tell kind sir is a "Bic"?....(studding Foppish dandy for signs of the devils work)....

A simple kitchen fire is started by the scullery maid, using flint~n~steel....
(even the town drunkard has this level of knowledge and common sence about him)

Why my daughters can do this most common of daily chores.....(should be out finding a husband)

and as for those "Lucifer" sticks.............     (I never use them)..black magic..

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OK all kidding aside
let it lay..........interesting idea.......but as for myself,..........3 strikes

Quote from: asminuteman on April 05, 2012, 09:54:30 PM
Being only a simple tradesmen....

What pray tell kind sir is a "Bic"?....(studding Foppish dandy for signs of the devils work)....

A simple kitchen fire is started by the scullery maid, using flint~n~steel....
(even the town drunkard has this level of knowledge and common sence about him)

Why my daughters can do this most common of daily chores.....(should be out finding a husband)

and as for those "Lucifer" sticks.............     (I never use them)..black magic..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK all kidding aside
let it lay..........interesting idea.......but as for myself,..........3 strikes

I have to say that I do like your style, Sir.

Bezon wcmartin, (shawnee for hello-sorry I'm old school)

Wohdoh nah for the compliment, yet I was being evil

Floppish is someone I consider friend......it was more like an ol salt (committee of Observation & F
+I veteran) telling the young-in (minuteman) to ponder his thoughts some more (watch the grass grow).

We have no need of a "parade" this fine Spring day........what say you?

I'll get a "respectful" earful at a later date I'm sure. Then pour my rum ration and snicker!

Your most humble and obedient servant
Pvt Doyle
11Th Virginia

p.s....Sir?....Sir?.....have I been elevated in statue and status in the township?.....
without my knowledge!.........yet am I worthy of such high sounding titles?
who held an assembly and voting of the towns folk?......Reverend / Sheriff......who I ask
and not send even an invite to a prominent member of the County such as myself.......

Quote from: AFTERMATH on April 05, 2012, 08:47:18 PM
I believe it was Fred who wrote up something about the Appleseed Engineers awhile back.
Good piece on how we can improvise, adapt and overcome.  Whether it be a target-line in need of fixing or a makeshift shelter to get through a storm.  Applying these skills in life is just as essential.  Take for instance Bic's child safety device.  If one thinks it through, they will find the device can easily be compromised permanently.  All one needs is a cheap pocket knife or a hard set of teeth. 
(I'm going under the assumption that there are no laws forbidding such a modification.  If there are; don't read this, because I didn't write it.) 

... and if you have bad teeth and a dull pocket-knife, there's always tacking it up and using it for an NPOA drill. That oughta get 'er lit!

I think of it as one match getting struck three times. The first time it slides across (followed by a curse word) not hard enough to catch then the second time it strikes a little harder and you see some flame (followed by another curse word... or two) and then finally on the third strike (with a few extra curse words and some direct pressure on the match followed by flinging it into the powder keg) it finally catches and POOF! The powder goes up in a fiery explosion.

In practice, out on the AST, I say it differently each time. I don't believe any of what we do should be a rehearsed speech. Like the instruction, if it's rehearsed and you say it the same way every time, you tend to sound dull and drab and over time, you lose that fire that the match was supposed to strike up in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, I've seen some pretty darn good history when the guy "reads it in his head" and that's fine for some. But the best I've seen is when he opens up and those heartstrings being tugged don't belong to the shooters alone. Make it your own. Steal what you like. But remember, it took more than one attempt for that powder keg to explode. Striking the match is the same thing. You have to keep on striking it. (Just try not to curse... especially in front of the shooters!)