Chasing Clout
“Bro culture” and storm chasing make a toxic mix
There’s something in the air around storms in the last few years, and it isn’t just moisture and helicity.
It’s in the increasingly aggressive and dangerous driving — blasting through stop signs, whipping around slow cars on rain-soaked shoulders, making reckless no-look passes in no-passing zones. It’s in the disruptive flashing lights and “look-at-me” decals. It’s in the near-miss or direct-hit videos posted on YouTube to a chorus of “That’s awesome, bro!” and “Glad you’re all right, man!” and “Prayers for your safety!” and “F*ck the haters!”
It’s a toxic mist of testosterone mixed with disrespect and lack of accountability, like the noxious gas of bleach and ammonia combined. When inhaled, it poisons those chasers with contempt, narcissism, and greed. YouTube clicks and Twitter shares feed and bloat grandiose self-importance. Voices pleading for safety drown among them.
“It’s for the science!” they say as they forget about friction, lose traction in slippery mud, and sink into ditches.
“We’re here to do rescues and save lives!” they shriek as they use one hand to hold their cameras forward to capture their glory.
“What I do chasing only affects me!” they assert as they require rescue workers to check them and and tow trucks to right their…
