THE NAKED CITY – with Miss Death, Jay Katz and Coffin Ed

THE LOVE RUNS OUT AT THE LOVE PARADE

In 1883 some 160 children were killed during a stampede which began after free gifts were thrown from the stage at a variety show in the UK. Again in the UK the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989 resulted in 96 deaths following a similar crowd panic. In 1990 some 1400 pilgrims were killed inside a pedestrian tunnel during the annual Islamic Haij in Mecca.

Throughout history human stampedes have often occurred at events normally associated with celebration and the expression of human solidarity. The recent Love Parade disaster in Germany which claimed 21 lives closed the book on a era of techno charged hedonism which began way back in 1989 with a crowd of only 150.

In excess of a million people are reported to have attended the 2010 event and many would say the sheer number of human bodies crammed into such a tight area was a disaster waiting to happen. Perhaps it was the insatiably good natured vibe of the event and its philosophy of mutual adoration that lulled organisers into a totally false sense of security – and lack thereof!

The dynamics of crowd panic and the human stampede have been explored extensively by psychologists and sociologists alike. In many countries legislation now dictates single line queuing and a series of barricades to prevent crushing in front of the stage. In most stampedes it’s asphyxiation rather than trampling that causes death as the crowd compacts with a wave of pushing, shoving and panic.

The aftermath of Love Parade 2010 will no doubt involve numerous official enquiries, the usual denial, endless litigation and no doubt a complete overhaul of crowd control legislation in Germany. The event has been declared officially dead by the organizers and is unlikely to be ever resurrected.

Some years ago the Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed to traffic and pedestrians encouraged to walk across as part of a special anniversary celebration. Unfortunately walkers came from both ends and when they met in the middle there was a dangerous and potentially lethal crush. Whilst nobody was seriously hurt it was a great embrassment to the organisers and a wake up call for any future events involving thousands of people.

Here at the Naked City, years of experience have told us that being last in the queue is not such a bad thing after all. Sometimes we have learnt it’s best not be in  the queue at all. Last week in Sydney hundreds queued for hours outside the Apple shop in George Street to be first in line to purchase the new status rewarding iPhone.

Whilst some might find the comparison distasteful the iPhone queue was a Love Parade in its own right, albeit free of any jostling or mass chaos but possessed of that same gripping panic and fervour for the new technology. “Gee if I miss out I won’t have a new iPhone to show off to my friends.” Be warned – next time the queue will be much bigger!