Building a virgin detector T-shirt (electronics 'n things)

[shponglefan]

Background on this: I recently attended my first comic con.  Had a good time and thought if I went to another, it would be fun to dress up.  But I wanted something different than the usual cosplay stuff.

Concept:  I'm a fan of the Adafruit wearable electronics and want an excuse to come up with something original.  And after Googling various con videos, et. al, the idea of a "virgin detector" T-shirt complete with built-in LEDs came to mind.

So the first thing I want to know is if this even sounds like a good idea.  It would obviously be in fun, and probably a good conversation piece.  But OTOH, I'm wondering if the joke might get old after the first 15 minutes.

Then there is the question of how to make it.  The idea might follow the concept.  But while that is responsive to sound, I'd want something more controllable or responsive to other stimuli.

Anyway, this is just an idea for now.  I haven't seen this done before.  Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the idea and how to go about designing and constructing it.

[ark_ader]

I think it is an awesome way to get yourself on a sex offenders list. 

[BadMouth]

I wouldn't want to have to control it by hand.  That would be lame.
I'd use an ultrasonic rangefinder aimed slightly to the left so when you walk by people, the intensity would increase as they come toward you.
(it would also decrease if they back up)

That and a switch for on/off/on but not detecting anything.

btw, I just discovered shpongle and was like "oh, that's what that guy's username is about...and the avatar matches"
Pretty cool stuff.

[Cia91]

Maybe you can do a hot chick finder, so you can approach sexy cosplayer with the shirt flashing 

[wp34]

Wouldn't a "virgin detector" at Comic Con be on 100% of the time?   

[Le Chuck]

My take - be a part of the herd.  Why go to be a predator?  Sure you might take down a few but the nerd herd could close ranks if they don't take the joke the right way.  I mean, you're making fun of them, not having fun with them, and you're at their con so it might not pan out all that great. 

Hottie detector is a pretty good idea - do the proximity thing but run it to a tactile switch in your shoe so you can turn it on near teh hottiez. 

[yotsuya]

My take - be a part of the herd.  Why go to be a predator?  Sure you might take down a few but the nerd herd could close ranks if they don't take the joke the right way.  I mean, you're making fun of them, not having fun with them, and you're at their con so it might not pan out all that great. 

Hottie detector is a pretty good idea - do the proximity thing but run it to a tactile switch in your shoe so you can turn it on near teh hottiez.

You could install some sort of heat-sensitive switch next to your ballsack, so the natural warmth of blood rushing to your scrotum could trigger it. 

[Vigo]

I agree with Le Chuck. Seems like an abrasive theme when you are attending comic con yourself. Other locations, that might probably be a bit better received.


How about make a wearable version of one of those old love meter machines. Around your torso, have a "handle" for the ladies to grip on. And up your body you can have the different levels (red hot, on fire, passionate, etc). and when the top level is hit, you can have it encourage a little "makey-outey"  And of course, you can have a hidden override switch to rig the results. 

[pbj]

People that can't have a laugh at themselves occasionally do not warrant the oxygen they are consuming.  Make the shirt.  Do not take the unfunny, weird suggestions that have been offered by others in this thread.

[Vigo]

I don't think having a "weird" costume is a problem at Comic Con.

[Well Fed Games]

I think the nerds are the cool kids now, right? Just another way the universe is mocking me.

[spoot]

Why not just have a blinking arrow turned  up. 

[BadMouth]

Bonus points for making it smoke when it gets maxxed out.

[shponglefan]

I think it is an awesome way to get yourself on a sex offenders list. 

Hmmm... I guess that also rules out my second costume choice.

[shponglefan]

My take - be a part of the herd.  Why go to be a predator?  Sure you might take down a few but the nerd herd could close ranks if they don't take the joke the right way.  I mean, you're making fun of them, not having fun with them, and you're at their con so it might not pan out all that great. 

Hottie detector is a pretty good idea - do the proximity thing but run it to a tactile switch in your shoe so you can turn it on near teh hottiez.

Yeah, I realize it's a bit antagonistic.  Although I figured there's also a certain irony in building and wearing an electronic "virgin detector" T-shirt.  Might work better at a Halloween party or something than a con.

I like the hottie detector idea though...

[BadMouth]

I like the hottie detector idea though...

sad and pathetic.
Might go over ok in a bar filled with male yuppies singing sweet caroline.
(I may have had a few 10%ABV IPAs this evening)

[PL1]

I think it is an awesome way to get yourself on a sex offenders list. 

Hmmm... I guess that also rules out my second costume choice.

If you do go with that second choice, don't do this . . .



. . . or they will get you.




Scott

[ark_ader]

I think it is an awesome way to get yourself on a sex offenders list. 

Hmmm... I guess that also rules out my second costume choice.

If your are that desperate for attention just rent some pinball machines and stick them in your garage. 

[Howard_Casto]

My 2 cents... spend all of that time, energy and money into making a real costume that people might actually appreciate. 

When all is said and done you are going to have a cheap joke with the same level of quality and class as something you'd find in the bargain bin of Spencer Gifts. 

Buy a tap-light, mask it off and put it under your shirt.  Boom! You are Tony Stark!  I guarantee you it'll get a better reaction than what you are proposing. 

[thomas_surles]

The key is to just have a shirt that says "9 1/2 inches" and nothing more

[jennifer]

     Jennifer gets all concerned and wraps herself in.... Tinfoil