Joshua Fuerst

Joshua Fuerst“HELP” Driftwood project

Duration and Results

Project Duration

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5+Location scouting and material collecting

Driftwood material preperation.

Driftwood placement and observation.

Continued driftwood placement and observation.

Field observation end. Phone call observation continued.

I have arrived a the project location. Fripp Island, South Carolina.

Project location has been determined and material have been located.

Day 1

I have prepared the driftwood with the carving of “HELP” and my phone number onto the body of the wood.

Day 2

12:00 a.m.I have placed the first half of my driftwood in locations where I can remember their placement from landmarks.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:00 p.m. When returning to the beach, conditions are

not favorable. Perhaps a cold front came through and I had not noticed it because it was dead midnight last time on location.

Previous days were 60f degrees with strong wind.

Now winds are hardly down and temp is at 40f.

Hardly anyone is at the beach.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:05 p.m. I notice a group huddled around something.

When I go to check it, it was nothing. But as I turn around I spot a couple picking

something up and looking at it.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:05 p.m. They quickly dropped it and walk away. When I check to see what it was I find it was

the piece I stuck in the sand at Midnight. It had seemed to wash ashore.

This was the first witnessed recordings of interaction.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:15 p.m. I have found two other of my driftwoods. The

small one has been completely undisturbed.

The 2x4 piece’s location remained the same but chips from its body are around it. I suspect that it had been found but ultimatly ignored.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:20 p.m. On my way to set up base. I find the last of

the pieces I set at midnight had drifted ashore far a ways from where it had been placed.

But since it was near pieces already set I retrieve it for presentation evidence.

12:35 p.m. I go back to retrieve the wood the earlier

couple had ignored and tossed it back into the ocean for it to resurface.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

12:54 p.m. I notice a man walking by the driftwood. He

is looking down and sees the 2x4. He just kept on walking paying it no mind.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

1:15 p.m. There is hardly anyone at the beach. Most

of those have not noticed the driftwood or ignored it all together.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

1:43 p.m The beach is not completely deserted. No

one is up or down the beach. I have also found the driftwood I threw back

into the ocean a while ago. I decide to leave and return tomorrow with

the remaining driftwood.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

1:49 p.m. As I am leaving the beach a group of three enter

the beach and posses a metal detector. Hopefully they notice the driftwood and take action.

……

6:30 p.m. No one has called. Morale is down.

Day 3: Observation phase 1

6:40 a.m. I have place half of the remaining driftwood

along the rest of the beach. The other half was thrown into the ocean.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

12:10 p.m. I have returned to the beach. Weather conditions have improved. Wind is down and temp is approximately

60f.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

1:00 p.m. I have set up base after checking on my

driftwoods. All pieces on shore have remained

undisturbed. One was flipped over, showing that it was once again found and ignored.

Not all pieces have washed ashore. Pieces that have show no signs of being disturbed.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

1:15 p.m. Two men walked right by the observed wood, if

not stepping right over it.

1:23 p.m. I notice there are a lot of people where I didn’t

place any wood... A bit disappointing.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

1:32 p.m. A young boy has found the driftwood.

He brings it to his parents.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

I can not hear what they say but now there is a possibility I will get a call.

The boy then walks off with the driftwood.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

1:48 p.m. The family have double back form where

they came. Until a few moments ago the boy still had the wood and was smashing shells with it.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

He had apparently got bored with it, dropped it and continued on his way.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

2:07 p.m. A man had noticed the driftwood. He moved

it around with his feet to examine it. He quickly left it alone and continued on his

way.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

2:48 p.m. None have made any attempt to do

anything about the “HELP” clearly on the driftwood.

All have walked right past it or ignored it completely.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

2:52 p.m. Yet another pair have walked right by the

driftwood.

And now beach bugs are eating me.2:53 p.m. I Leave.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

7:30 p.m. No one has still called me about the HELP

driftwood.

This is especially frustrating because American “FREAKING” Idol is on Fripp Island filming for the American Idol Candice Glover.

You’d think one, Crew member at least, would take a walk on the beach.

Day 4: Observation phase 2

It is time for me to return to GMU from Fripp Island South Carolina.

I have decided to leave what remaining wood I had on the beach. There are still many days till presentation day and someone may call.

And someone did.

Day 5: Project continued end

The trip from Fripp Island, South Carolina to home is 9 hours by car, at best.

At around 12:00 I stop at a rest area for lunch.

While I am their I receive a call from a unrecognized number.

I was indeed a call from someone about the driftwood.

However the timing of the call was the worst possible.

Day 5: Drive back

When I get the long awaited call

I AM ON THE FREAKING TOILET, TAKING A DUMP.

IN THE PUBLIC REST AREAWITH BOTH STALLS BESIDE ME OCCUPIED.

Day 5: Drive back

I have not since then received any calls bout the drift wood.

I am curious to see if I will get anymore calls in the future.

As well as if what pieces I left behind will still be there when I return.

Present

From what has already been observed. This process has shown what is ultimately already known.

Not many will rise up to the call of duty when it is unexpectedly sounded.

Though few,(one at the worst time), have shown that they are willing to help.

Results