I expect some portion of it is a result of the fake eclipse glasses that were being sold online.
But yeah, the people who wilfully looked because they didn't believe the warnings weren't possible to save, they've constructed their identities around a reality that doesn't exist.
We just went through four years of people refusing to put a piece of cloth over their mouth to help prevent sickness to others. Do you really think they're going to wear special sunglasses in order to look at the sun?
My eyes hurt after that day even though I was very careful not to look at the sun. Hint: my lips were sore as well. I spent 3 hours out in real sunlight for the first time this spring and got a sunburn. Still having snow didn't help either.
I'm just remembering how evil portents from long ago used to be things like, "The First, the skies darkened in the middle of the day! If that wasn't enough, then thousands of people were suddenly struck blind!"
The smallest sliver of sun changed it from night with stars to blue. Dark blue and dim, but a HUGE difference from totality. It was an amazing part of the experience.
Why is the most affluent and progressive part of Arkansas the area with the highest searches? . . . Oh. That is the most populated part of the state that was not in the totality. That tracks. Way to be classy Arkansas
I think this says as much about gnorance as it does about anxiety. Some people googled it because of eye damage. Some people googled it because the fact that it could happen means that it's happening to them. So it's not as funny as it seems.
I will admit, even with pricey certified glasses and not looking more than a couple minutes at a time, my eyes did feel a little sore later on. Like after being at the beach for a while or staring at a computer screen. I hate to imagine what people without protection experienced.
I am so glad I spent my high school years in an FRC team, where safety glasses are basically required. I was instinctively only looking up at the sun when I had eclipse glasses on...or through a camera. Admittedly I did look up without eclipse glasses but only for a very brief millisecond.
Technically yes, but realistically, with how prone people are to do reckless, nonsensical things for clout or personal amusement, I'm honestly surprised it's this low.
It’s crazy how almost everyone I know decided to look at it without glasses, even though there’s been an overwhelming amount of stuff out there saying not to look at it without glasses
I suspect out of control capitalism selling fake eclipse glasses and the continual denigration and devaluation of science were large contributors to this. Plus stupid people.🤷♂️
Every time eclipses come up: Man, why do we need to keep reminding people to not stare directly at an eclipse?
Also Every Time eclipses come up: *This image*
I mean real talk amazon sold a bunch of solar eclipse glasses that got recalled like hours before the eclipse so I mean obviously all those people were watching their amazon for recall notices…
While I’m sure something like 90% of people searching this was looking at the sun with naked eyes or sunglasses(…), I do think a lot of them might have had bad eclipse glasses. Because there are vile people who manufacture untested, below grade glasses and sell them
Lol, I walked out of a building past 3 people staring up at it in N GA and said "you aren't supposed to look at it without special lenses" and one woman said "oh, they've been telling us that for years".
I paused a moment & then just agreed with her.Yes Yes, they have said that for years.
Pfff !
Thank you for telling us. I'm not surprised
But seriously, can you really survive when you've reached that level of stupid ?
It's exhausting, just looking at these ppl
It's at the same time utterly funny and sooo damn sad
But don't expect me to cry on them ruining their eyes. I almost lost one (fully recovered, hopefully, I had a very good surgeon), and it's scary AF
i take that with a grain of salt. i know of at least two people who used the proper equipment and then say later their eyes felt strained. i think it's because the lenses are much, much darker to what they're accustomed.
Do you contend that people stared at the sun with no protection or could they be buying useless, paper protection from gas stations and trusting capitalism?
In Mexico, you couldn't hear a single news feed regarding the eclipse without someone mentioning it was dangerous to watch it without special protection.
Just want to note that - in Rochester (home of Kodak and Bausch and Lomb), and more generally in upstate New York - there is a lower rate of complaint than generally along the eclipse path. Also Corning, where presumably there might be some welders glass...
Roc native living in Cali here. Reports from multiple friends and fam were it was too cloudy to see anything except the fireworks people were setting off when it got dark.
Multiple homies (hood & burbs) also reported ppl blasting Total Eclipse of The Heart.
As someone with Diabetic retinopathy, I hope they enjoy the permanent spots.
As it was, the sun glare on that day was bad enough while NOT trying to look at the sun. It’s amazing to realize that even the smallest sliver of sun behind the moon can still cast shadows, heat and blind you.
Comments
It allows the possibility that many are poorly-formed google queries for 'how could my eyes get hurt looking at the eclipse' beforehand.
I assume the worst because everything since 2016 but I'd like to see data from a less ambiguous window.
But yeah, the people who wilfully looked because they didn't believe the warnings weren't possible to save, they've constructed their identities around a reality that doesn't exist.
Ma'am, eclipse glasses are made of mylar and cardstock.
"I'm just a crazy tin foil hat conspeeracy theorist who can't spell."
Yes. Yes you are.
Sadly, this is often times not the case.
Wear protection... and clear skies.
✌
And that makes me very sad.
The smallest sliver of sun can light the world.
Jesus.
https://wapo.st/43YUXp9
I mean besides stupidity.
(Literally in this case)
Also Every Time eclipses come up: *This image*
https://bsky.app/profile/jarko314.bsky.social/post/3kpo4us64ja23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzk3x3HZbJI
and then there's the extra exposure time peoples' eyes would get because they *thought* they were protected
Like, you should know what happens. Why ask Google for that?
I paused a moment & then just agreed with her.Yes Yes, they have said that for years.
Thank you for telling us. I'm not surprised
But seriously, can you really survive when you've reached that level of stupid ?
It's exhausting, just looking at these ppl
But don't expect me to cry on them ruining their eyes. I almost lost one (fully recovered, hopefully, I had a very good surgeon), and it's scary AF
Do you contend that people stared at the sun with no protection or could they be buying useless, paper protection from gas stations and trusting capitalism?
There are two likely culprits here.
People not using glasses.
People using the wrong glasses/using glasses poorly.
This looks to me like skill issue.
Multiple homies (hood & burbs) also reported ppl blasting Total Eclipse of The Heart.
Literally no place like home🙆🏿♀️ 💕🌑🧨🎇🎶
I keep hearing people say they used "glasses" advertised as safe and their eyes hurt.
What part of this is dumb people and what part is capitalism?
I wouldn't trust gas station sushi.
As it was, the sun glare on that day was bad enough while NOT trying to look at the sun. It’s amazing to realize that even the smallest sliver of sun behind the moon can still cast shadows, heat and blind you.