# What are the fake rocks all about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 21, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554 "2022-06-21T13:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/21 "2022-06-21T15:59:13Z")
Well, I was going to leave a comment about how I have a couple fake rocks in the yard covering some pool equipment, but the thread has deteriorated into bad pun boulder-dash. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/22 "2022-06-21T16:13:48Z")
Large ones, depending on positioning, might also be for protective purposes. Make it a lot harder for someone to turn the place into a drive-in. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/23 "2022-06-21T16:22:08Z")
I’ve also seen where some are speaker enclosures. [Rock Speakers](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rock+speakers) Suitable for most types of music. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/24 "2022-06-21T16:37:57Z")
Not directly germane to the question of why there are fake rocks around, but related. Several years ago the town where I was working had some very picturesque outcroppings o rock. One day I passed by and saw that someone had carefully cleaned the area, and the started putting up dividers to separate the rock face into conveniently-sized sections. They carefully took impressions of each section, using silicone or some similar flexible casting compound. They ended up with a complete set of molds they could use to fabricate duplicate “rocks” using plaster or fiberglas or something. I think they paid the owner or the own for the “rights” to the rock. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/25 "2022-06-21T17:40:05Z")
Hot Springs has a whole section of the uptown area, that is a natural giant rock wall. Pieces fall down. And alarmed folks They been assured the City is on it. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/26 "2022-06-21T17:55:11Z")
Depending on the size, an artificial boulder can be a lot cheaper than the real thing. If you want a style/color of stone that only come from five states away, the cost of the boulder and freight can get very large, very quickly. If it’s some 6-7’ rock at 13-16 tons, it might be the only thing on the truck and more than double the cost. Plus, boulders that size are comparatively rare on the wholesale market so it might be an expensive hassle to find one. A fiberglass or other fake boulder can be to the design specs you want and much lighter to ship. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/27 "2022-06-21T18:04:16Z")
I’ve seen some that are lightweight and made of some kind of spongy material. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/28 "2022-06-21T18:10:10Z")
We have a 3’x3’x3’ cube real boulder near our barn purchased and placed there as an aid for getting on a horse. Our horses are trained to stand by it so we can mount to ride bareback. Last summer my gf told me she wanted the boulder moved about a foot and a half over from where it sat. I have a 6’ long pry bar. I figured I could budge it over. Nope. I asked a friend to bring _his_ 6’ long pry bar over to help me. Nope. My friend called his 28 year old son to come help us and he brought his friend. There wasn’t enough room for all four of us, so me and my friend stood back and observed as the young gym rats barely accomplished the task. The four of us then put away a case of beer recovering from the exertion. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/29 "2022-06-21T18:42:19Z")
A 3’x3’x3’ boulder weighs around 4000 pounds. More than a Toyota RAV4. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/30 "2022-06-21T21:46:03Z")
Wow. I was initially surprised by how hard it was to move. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/31 "2022-06-21T22:03:41Z")
My first encounter with a fake rock was at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, TN. There was an Aztec style “stone” staircase (sculpted concrete?) in what I think was Mexico’s pavilion. There was a slightly raised “stone” block balustrade on either side of the stairs. I stepped on the balustrade and discovered it was fiberglass. My foot went right though it. I broke a World’s Fair exhibit. Sorry, Mexico! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/32 "2022-06-21T22:15:28Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > A 3’x3’x3’ boulder weighs around 4000 pounds. More than a Toyota RAV4. - Plus a RAV4 has wheels. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/33 "2022-06-21T22:24:31Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Hot Springs has a whole section of the uptown area, that is a natural giant rock wall. > Pieces fall down. And alarmed folks I went to high school just around the corner from there. Probably the (admittedly infrequent) landslides and floods concern them quite a great deal more. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/34 "2022-06-21T23:46:03Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Plus a RAV4 has wheels. > 😉 Depends on where you parked it… ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/35 "2022-06-22T07:35:32Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Large ones, depending on positioning, might also be for protective purposes. Make it a lot harder for someone to turn the place into a drive-in. Haven’t we had this discussion already, that placing a boulder for cars to run into (so they won’t run into your living room instead) can get you into some liability if somebody wracks up their car (and themselves) on the rock that you put there just for that purpose? > [@CalMeacham](#): > > . . . and the started putting up dividers to separate the rock face into conveniently-sized sections. They carefully took impressions of each section, using silicone or some similar flexible casting compound. They ended up with a complete set of molds they could use to fabricate duplicate “rocks” using plaster or fiberglas or something. Maybe they were dentistry students. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/36 "2022-06-22T09:07:30Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > > > Hey! I should start a rumor online. > > “Yeah, people it’s the government, those rocks watch us. And **Drones are watching** , as well. Hide your children, the elderly and pets. > > We’re doomed!!” > > Please don’t because there are a legion of conspiracy theorists out there who will actually believe you! LOL Too late. > **[Birds Aren't Real](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_Aren%27t_Real)** > > Birds Aren't Real is a satirical conspiracy theory which posits that birds are actually drones operated by the United States government to spy on American citizens. In 2018, journalist Rachel Roberts described Birds Aren't Real as "a joke that thousands of people are in on." > Peter McIndoe created the satirical conspiracy theory "on a whim" in January 2017. After seeing pro-Trump counter-protestors at the 2017 Women's March in Memphis, Tennessee, McIndoe wrote "Birds Aren't Real" on a poster a... > [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > > > I don’t know if any of them are fake, I’ve always taken them for granite. - > > Gneiss. How proletarian. Marble. > [@kayaker](#): > > The four of us then put away a case of beer recovering from the exertion. So it was worth it, congratulations! > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > A 3’x3’x3’ boulder weighs around 4000 pounds. More than a Toyota RAV4. I have single-handledly moved a solid granite ball over 4’ in diameter, it was easy. It floated on a water film. I found it amazing how much weight you can move when there is no friction (that is not me on the picture, and it was bigger than that): [![](https://www.revisage.com/images/category_images/main_images/granit-kugelbrunnen-garten-10048.jpg) ](https://www.revisage.com/images/category_images/main_images/granit-kugelbrunnen-garten-10048.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/37 "2022-06-22T15:01:41Z")
Well schist. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/38 "2022-06-22T15:14:35Z")
Those fake rocks were left over from the fake Moon Landing. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/39 "2022-06-22T15:20:06Z")
What do you mean when you say it floated? Boulders tend to sink into the ground. If you did succeed in suspending it, say from a crane just to illustrate, or a smooth round ball like in the photo without much contact with the ground, then at that point you can push it around with your arms. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554/40 "2022-06-22T15:32:01Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > I think some are hiding the building transformer. - > > That’s cool. What can the building turn into? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3ERuhks3GNk/maxresdefault.jpg "Big (1988) - Josh Doesn't Get It Scene (3/5) | Movieclips") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ERuhks3GNk) > [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > > > Central Arkansas is in fact named after a Little Rock. > > The boulder, the better. That’s Colorado [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fake-rocks-all-about/966554.md?page=3)