Harold Hackett has created his very own old school social network by throwing 4,800 bottles inserted with paper messages into the Atlantic Ocean. Amazingly, out of the 4,800 bottles launched into the ocean, he has received replies from 3,100 of them.
Hackett prefers to use Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice or Orange Juice bottles with bright fluorescent messages to attract people’s attention. He launched his first bottle back in May 1996. All of the bottles and messages are dated, and he asks for the finder to send a response back, with some taking more than 13 years to gain a reply.
The Art of Message Crafting
Hackett’s messages are not just simple notes; they are carefully crafted to intrigue and engage the finder. Each message includes his contact information and a request for a reply. He often includes details about his life, his location, and sometimes even small tokens or trinkets to make the discovery more exciting. This personal touch has led to a wide variety of responses, ranging from simple thank-you notes to detailed letters sharing the finder’s own life stories.
Hackett also uses the winds to help his cause and prefers to wait for a West or South West wind to help take the bottle further out to sea. He hopes to continue launching his messages in bottles for as long as he can and has already received some interesting replies, saying each one is very different.
Global Connections
The replies Hackett receives come from all over the world, creating a unique global network of correspondents. He has received messages from as far away as Europe, Africa, and South America. Each reply adds a new layer to his collection, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Some of these correspondences have even turned into long-term pen pal relationships, showcasing the power of human connection in the digital age.
Watch a video interview with Harold Hackett on the BBC website with him talking about his amazing pastime.
Source: Gizmodo : BBC
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