Why did we blow our SNES/N64 cartridges?

I talked to people from lots of countries, and one question I always asked is.

What do you do if your SNES/N64 cartridge is not working?

the answer always included blowing on the cartridge.
some said they alternated between gentle puffing, to vicious blowing.
some said they would slam the cartridge in after the blowing ritual.
some said they would rub the opening of the cartridge in the carpet.
some would blow then pray.

but all these rituals included puffing air into the cartridge in some degree.

Why did we do that? was it common sense?
Why is it so universal when we didn't have the internet and not all of us watched the same TV programs?

Seriously, why do we blow on cartridges?

Because it's a good luck ritual.

Really it's beacuse we think it's a bit dirty.

Lord Hispano wrote:Because it's a good luck ritual.

Why is it universal?

Some things are just like that.

Like how we say "Caca" (sorry guys) to mean poop?

Middle Finger means "you know what" anywhere and everywhere.

Stuff like that.

Cartridges have metal contact points on the bottom of the unit. Whenever dust collects on contact points, it can mess with the performance. Be it N64 cartridges, SD memory cards or RAM.

That's why you blow. To get rid of any dust. With that said though, it's not the best idea. I know a couple of people who've used to 'blow' technique without realizing that some moisture from their mouths have landed on those contact points.

Would a 6 year old understand anything about those contact points?

Human Psyche?

Not necessarily, but most kids just follow what friends and family may have done in the past.

I doubt anyone in Saudi Arabia thought about those contact points though. It originated from friends and family. Where did those guys pick it up from.

LOL I blew on the cartridge without anyone telling or showing me.

My thought was just that it was a bit dirty.

I've just always liked blowing stuff

bhends wrote:I've just always liked blowing stuff

do you HAVE to try to make a witty comment with everyone of ur posts?

bhends wrote:I've just always liked blowing stuff

I'd better keep it in my pants, then.

Common sense!

Even if not, then there are people in saudi who can deal with tech, and then it was a word of mouth.

For example an american brings those cartridges to saudi and if one is not working he will blow, then if it does work the method is working... And then i see a web

The Madrid One wrote:

bhends wrote:I've just always liked blowing stuff

do you HAVE to try to make a witty comment with everyone of ur posts?

You must have very low standards if you considered that comment "witty"

bhends wrote:

The Madrid One wrote:

bhends wrote:I've just always liked blowing stuff

do you HAVE to try to make a witty comment with everyone of ur posts?

You must have very low standards if you considered that comment "witty"

I used this technique but my brother and I would put a shirt over the bottom to keep the spit/moisture out. #Aheadofthecurve

Lord Spencer wrote:

Lord Hispano wrote:Because it's a good luck ritual.

Why is it universal?

Independent Invention or Diffusion?

Let's get to it.

It was the only way to get it to work.
blow,blow,blow, and last blow.
Insert Cartridge.
Load screen.
Frozen.

repeat.

Protip: Blow in the hole you put the game in to

I used to blow side to side, set the game up on the spot, and then bang it down firmly

works every time

bhends wrote:Protip: Blow in the hole you put the game in to

I used to blow side to side, set the game up on the spot, and then bang it down firmly

works every time

Exactly the same strategy, but if it doesn't work I go the extreme route.

Blow, blow, blow, pray long and hard, blow very lightly.



BANG.

it works every time (if it did not I pretend I did not pray sincerely enough).

n64 was so boss...bang on that shit all day just to get it to work

flick my xbox softly and im getting 3 red rings

microcasm for society

Without a good blow my NES cartridges just won't get going

Sort of like me I guess.....

I always blow into mine and it always seem to work to get it working so i stick to that


LOL CRIMSON

The same reason a 6 year old that finds a dusty book blows on it

It's just common sense