Why is it in Hollywood movies every time there is a vent or AC unit someone has fixed little ribbons on it? Is that a thing americans do? Why? The vent in this movie is close to the floor in the toilets of a train. This implies someone got on all fours ON THE FLOOR OF A TRAIN’S BATHROOM to stick those ribbons there for a reason i can’t even begin to comprehend.

  • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    The only places I’ve seen that IRL, are stores or commercials. The ribbons help you see how much wind it pushes out, and make it look more desirable.

    I’m guessing we only see it in movies as a hack to help us visualize a breeze.

    • xantoxis@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      And usually only in movies where airflow later stops for a plot-related reason. (e.g. the life support has shut off on a space station)

      • snooggums@midwest.social
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        4 months ago

        Alao if the airflow atarts because it it bringing in toxic gas, or oxygen that instantly fills a room that was without enough.

      • mPony@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Somehow I associate airflow being shut off with a turbine fan slowing and stopping. I guess due to Total Recall and OG Half Life?

      • themroc@sh.itjust.worksOP
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        4 months ago

        Actually in this movie it doesn’t matter. Something has been hidden behind that vent which the protagonist is about to findbout in a second.We will never come back to that bathroom.

          • themroc@sh.itjust.worksOP
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            4 months ago

            I understand why they are used in movies. My question was where that came from, whether this was a thing Americans actually do irl and if that is the case why they do it.

    • Kelly@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I often see them in offices. People who are working 8 hours in an environment where thy don’t control the AC will often want proof that it is or is not working effectively. As there are potentially multiple vents along a duct these ribbons are a handy way to see how much the duct pressure varies across the room.

    • Banana@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      They had these on the vents at my university, I think it’s just so they know they’re working