Great Moments in Unintended Consequences: Pickpocket Signs, Cleveland Balloon Release, Ivanpah Solar Power Facility (Vol. 20)

Great moments in unintended consequences—when something that sounds like a great idea goes horribly wrong. Watch the whole series.

Do you know a great moment in unintended consequences? Email us at comedy@reason.com.

PART 1: The Error Up There

The Year: 1986

The Problem: The United Way needs money! And Cleveland needs some fun!

The Solution: Ballonfest '86! A fundraising event to set the Guinness World Record for releasing helium balloons!

Sounds like a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, balloons don't disappear! Cheering crowds watched a colorful cloud of nearly 1.5 million balloons rise skyward—right into an approaching cold front. Moments later, latex orbs rained down on the city, polluting waterways, grounding flights, causing traffic accidents, spooking livestock, and hindering a Coast Guard search and rescue effort for two boaters who were later discovered drowned. Yes, there were lawsuits.

Cost overruns resulted in a fundraiser that actually lost money.

But the event was listed in the book of Guinness World Records…before the category was abolished. Large balloon releases are now banned in Cleveland.

PART 2: Sign Crime

The Year: I don't know…. Not long after the pocket was invented?

The Problem: Pickpockets stealing valuables in broad daylight!

The Solution: Put up signs warning tourists that pickpockets operate in the area!

Sounds like a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, when people see a sign about pickpockets, they instinctually check their valuables—tapping pockets or bags to ensure their belongings still belong to them. 

Unfortunately, that's a great way for waiting thieves to know just where the good stuff is.

There are even rumors that criminals stole the signs themselves in order to repost them in areas where it was easier to operate. 

PART 3: Moment in the Sun

The Year: 2010

The Problem: The U.S. needs more green energy!

The Solution: The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, where acres of mirrors focus sunlight onto giant towers, heating boilers up to 1000 degrees to generate electricity!

Sounds like a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, light attracts bugs, and bugs attract birds,  and birds are…flammable. Thousands of unsuspecting avians flew through the invisible death ray of concentrated heat and ignited midair, leaving smoky trails workers grimly nicknamed "streamers." Others just smacked into the mirrors and towers. Reports estimate 3,500 to 6,000 birds meet their demise each year.

At least they had their moment in the sun.