# Tarzan swinging on vines **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2014, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313 "2014-09-23T06:10:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/21 "2014-09-23T17:08:54Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > ^ Plus, since he’s been doing this for 50 years, NYC should look like the final shot in _[Kingdom Of The Spiders](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhorrorfanzine.com%2Fkingdom-of-the-spiders%2F&h=0&w=0&tbnid=iGH0erFf0Loc_M&zoom=1&tbnh=198&tbnw=255&docid=ijFfumSO6DRYMM&tbm=isch&ei=pqUhVNuMBYTM8QH0rIHQCw&ved=0CAQQsCUoAA)_. The webbing conveniently dissolves after a short period of time. Probably the dumbest swinging was done by Silver Age Batman. Every time Commissioner Gordon lit up the Bat Signal, B & R would come swinging in from somewhere, presumably a building across the street. But where were their ropes affixed that would permit their swing to terminate at the roof of police hq? And what did they do, take the elevator across the street to the roof or clamber up the side like on the old tv show? And where did they keep all that rope when they weren’t swinging on it? I gotta drink less coffee. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/22 "2014-09-23T17:14:36Z")
I think the vine-swinging was a misunderstanding (or deliberate misrepresentation) of how smaller apes like gibbons [travel through the trees](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachiation). ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/23 "2014-09-23T17:20:36Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > The webbing conveniently dissolves after a short period of time. All stories are shaped like themselves. > [@](#): > > Probably the dumbest swinging was done by Silver Age Batman. Every time Commissioner Gordon lit up the Bat Signal, B & R would come swinging in from somewhere, presumably a building across the street. But where were their ropes affixed that would permit their swing to terminate at the roof of police hq? And what did they do, take the elevator across the street to the roof or clamber up the side like on the old tv show? And where did they keep all that rope when they weren’t swinging on it? You left out the fact that he was doing it in a voluminous cape. I love (certain versions of) Batman, but I can never accept that wide-ass cape. Unless you’re a Kryptonian, a Daxamite, or Thor, capes don’t work. (Anyone who mentions The Incredibles at this juncture will be beaten with a stick.) > [@](#): > > I gotta drink less coffee. That’s crazy talk. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/24 "2014-09-23T17:22:45Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Spider-Man’s webbing evaporates in about an hour. > [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > The webbing conveniently dissolves after a short period of time. You guys are no fun. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/25 "2014-09-23T17:24:19Z")
Only tangentially related, but I always thought Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” (from The White Album) should have started: Blackbird swingin’ on a Tarzan viiiiiiiiine ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/26 "2014-09-23T17:31:16Z")
So depending on which story line you follow, Parker is dumping either synthetic web chemicals, or HIS OWN DNA into NYC sewers. What’s breeding down there? Eight legged albino alligators? I gotta drink less cola. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/27 "2014-09-23T17:39:57Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > So depending on which story line you follow, Parker is dumping either synthetic web chemicals, or HIS OWN DNA into NYC sewers. What’s breeding down there? Eight legged albino alligators? Pete’s not rinsing web fluid down the toilet. The webs are disintegrating while above-ground. The resultant web-particles are going airborne and being dispersed by the wind and– Wait. That’s probably worse. Never mind. > [@](#): > > I gotta drink less cola. That’s probably true. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/28 "2014-09-23T18:00:36Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Spider-Man’s webbing evaporates in about an hour. Does it contribute to climate change? Should he be required to pay for carbon offsets? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/29 "2014-09-23T18:18:31Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You left out the fact that he was doing it in a voluminous cape. I love (certain versions of) Batman, but I can never accept that wide-ass cape. Unless you’re a Kryptonian, a Daxamite, or Thor, capes don’t work. When frightened criminals fire wildly at the looming black figure coming for them, they hit the swirling cape and not the [del]demon[/del] [del]Nemesis[/del] [del]monstrous bat[/del] man inside it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/30 "2014-09-23T18:28:21Z")
Tarzan has a network of ropes disguised as vines hanging throughout the jungle. He is after all an Ape_man_ capable of installing his own infrastructure. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/31 "2014-09-23T18:35:36Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I love (certain versions of) Batman, but I can never accept that wide-ass cape. Unless you’re a Kryptonian, a Daxamite, or Thor, capes don’t work. Without a cape, Zorro is pretty much just the Dread Pirate Westley. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/32 "2014-09-23T18:53:54Z")
Which reminds me of a joke from my childhood: Q: What were Tarzan’s last words? A: Who greased the vine? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/33 "2014-09-23T18:58:30Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Without a cape, Zorro is pretty much just the Dread Pirate Westley. Take…that…back. In the first place, it’s the Dread Pirate ROBERTS. In the second place, all iterations of the Dread Pirate Robeorts, including Westley, are lying, girlfriend-abusing, girlfriend-abusing, murderous scum. In the third place I mentioned Zorro in my previous post; you just missed it because I wrote “Zorro” in an invisible font. In the fourth place anyone who points out the blatant lie in the previous paragraph will have his or her sweet potato pie ration confiscated. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/34 "2014-09-23T19:43:35Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I love (certain versions of) Batman, but I can never accept that wide-ass cape. It covers up the multitude of ropes and pulleys that he carries about, dummy. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/35 "2014-09-23T19:45:10Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Take…that…back. > > In the first place, it’s the Dread Pirate ROBERTS. > > In the second place, all iterations of the Dread Pirate Robeorts, including Westley, are lying, girlfriend-abusing, girlfriend-abusing, murderous scum. > > In the third place I mentioned Zorro in my previous post; you just missed it because I wrote “Zorro” in an invisible font. > > In the fourth place anyone who points out the blatant lie in the previous paragraph will have his or her sweet potato pie ration confiscated. I hay never seen you and [Say McIntosh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_%22Say%22_McIntosh) together at the same time. That explains much. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/36 "2014-09-23T21:19:58Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There were some swings that didn’t use trapeze bars or other aids. Sometimes real vines were used. The triple vine swing was the peak of the art form, I believe it was done by Weismuller but I’d have to check… More information, please. Check where? Is there a book? I’d be interested in reading it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/37 "2014-09-23T21:47:56Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > Watching gibbons playing at the zoo, I certainly see where they got the idea. I was at the San Diego Zoo, studying the vines as they wreathed through the gibbon cage…and suddenly laughed out loud. The vines formed a continuous loop. They’re artificial! > [@](#): > > However as others have pointed out it doesn’t work well when using as a method of travel. Watching _American Ninja Warrior_ shows how difficult it is to transfer your weight from one rope/vine to the next. When I was young and lithe, I could do this from gymnasium ropes. I was pretty good at switching from one to the next. Dumb and dangerous (even with padded matting.) But, damn, it sure was fun! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/38 "2014-09-23T21:56:06Z")
Obligatory vine-swinging [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdi2n2i8Brc) (SFW). ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/39 "2014-09-23T21:57:13Z")
Perhaps I’m nuts, but I have a faint inkling of a memory of a Tarzan movie where he specifically sets up his vines for specific routes, so he’s not just grabbing random lianas. The way this would work is that whenever he grabs a new vine, he somehow fastens the old one to the interchange spot, which he uses when retracing his route. So, if he restricts himself to an already set-up star network, he can always get out and back. Of course, the interchange spots would have to be carefully chosen not to be tree trunks but still to have a way to (very quickly) attach the vines. There is a way to go from point A to point B without a preset trail, if there are enough vines hanging from high branches (not too close to trunks!), well-secured, and if you have enough initial height. When grabbing a new vine at the extremity of a swing, you don’t let go of the old vine. You hang on to it and swing back (the direction you came) while letting the new vine slip through your fingers. Before running out of new vine, or before you hit the end of the swing back, let go of the old vine and grip the new one. You’re now significantly lower, but you could (in theory) keep playing this game until you reach the ground, then climb back up and try again. I have not tested this hypothesis, but it seems sound, if a bit chancy and dependent on a lot of unlikely factors (not to mention the problems you face whenever your new vine isn’t anchored above and free below, which is the opposite of normal.) > [@Finagle](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out how Spiderman gets that whole webslinging thing to work in NYC. You’d have to figure that after a while he’d be just dangling there saying “Could someone give me a push please?” Well, he can always shoot his web to a wall on the other side of the street (and down the street), and hope for a high coefficient of restitution when he hits the opposing wall. He has it way over Tarzan in that he can pick the attachment point of his next “vine”. He could also add some momentum if his webs can shrink when he wants them to (thanks to being loaded with comic-book energy.) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313/40 "2014-09-23T22:52:44Z")
Just be glad Spiderman doesn’t use [ballooning](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballooning_(spider)). Didn’t work too well for [these guys](https://www.google.com/search?q=far+side+ballooning+comic&espv=2&biw=1472&bih=733&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4_khVNWWJq3b8AG90oDoCA&ved=0CB0QsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=SCIRj3vM-snZqM%253A%3B7dBo00x-HmDWHM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia-cache-ec0.pinimg.com%252F236x%252Fda%252F41%252Fd8%252Fda41d859e450280d02518bbb2c27aefc.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pinterest.com%252Fljbean3%252Fthe-far-side-~-gary-larson%252F%3B236%3B320). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tarzan-swinging-on-vines/699313.md?page=3)