Buzz
America: A land where freedom thrives and courage is celebrated, home to over 300 million individuals, many of whom stand out for their unique and sometimes odd behaviors. In fact, some Americans are so remarkable that we can't help but shine a spotlight on them... even if it’s just for their proverbial 15 minutes of fame.
Consider the 10 individuals listed here. They come from diverse backgrounds, hailing from various parts of the United States. Some are enthusiasts of firearms, others are avid sports followers. Some are creators, while others hold bizarre professions. Yet, despite their differences, they share one thing in common: their unwavering pride in the Stars and Stripes, and their fame for reasons that are far from ordinary.
10. Walter Backerman – The Last of the Seltzer Men
Sure, we all appreciate the advancements of the 21st century and the marvels of modern technology, but let’s face it, there are moments when we feel a pang of nostalgia for times gone by. Especially when we think about the forgotten professions that have disappeared with the ages. The switchboard operator, the ice cutter, and the bowling alley pinsetter are all relics of the past. One such nearly extinct job is that of the seltzer man, the charming delivery guy who once brought bottles of fizzy seltzer water right to your doorstep.
Of course, when we say “endangered,” we don’t mean “extinct.” A few dedicated seltzer men still make their living on the streets of New York, and among them, Walter Backerman is perhaps the most famous. Walter hails from a family of seltzer men—his grandfather, Jacob Rosenbloom, a Polish immigrant, began his delivery service in 1919 with a horse-drawn carriage. Walter’s father, Al Backerman, took up the trade in the 1940s, and Walter eventually followed in their footsteps.
Interestingly, both Jacob and Al weren’t particularly fond of their profession and tried to steer Walter away from becoming a seltzer man. After all, Walter had a college degree and plans to attend law school. But for reasons unknown, he chose to enter the seltzer business, and much of his life has been spent delivering crates of green and blue bottles door to door. Remarkably, Walter still services many of his father’s former clients, and the glass bottles are reused over time—some even dating back to the 1950s.
Walter delivers his seltzer in every borough of New York—except Staten Island—and even travels to New Jersey and Connecticut. A case of seltzer (with 10 bottles per crate) costs $35, but according to his customers, it tastes far better than what you’ll find in stores. Of course, people don’t just buy the water for its quality—they’re also purchasing a piece of the past... and a bit of Walter himself. As one loyal customer shared on the Radio Diaries podcast, “The seltzer is great, but it’s Walter. That’s the thing about his product. He’s the product.”
Over the years, Walter has been featured by NPR, The New York Times, The Village Voice, and even a TV crew from Japan. But no amount of media attention can save his career. His son doesn’t want to carry on the family legacy, which is a bit heartbreaking, yet Walter remains unbothered. Even though he’s one of the last seltzer men around, he continues to smile and enjoy his work, knowing that it brings him genuine happiness.
9. Matt Malone – Professional Dumpster Diver
Nice job, America. In 2012, the country generated a staggering 251 million tons of waste. That’s an enormous amount of trash. Sadly, a lot of that waste was likely still useful. But who wants to keep their old TV or computer when a shiny new one is available for purchase?
While this raises some intriguing questions about America’s consumerism, it’s actually a pretty profitable venture for Matt Malone. A Texan by birth, Matt spends his spare time rummaging through dumpsters. However, Matt isn’t homeless. He works as a security specialist in Austin, earning a solid six-figure income. So why does a guy like Matt dig through other people’s trash? Because he actually makes more money from dumpster diving than his regular job.
Matt often parks his truck near stores during his work commute and digs through the discarded items behind the buildings. He backs his truck right up to the dumpster, stands on the tailgate, and uncovers all kinds of hidden gems. From surveillance systems to GPS devices to boom boxes, Matt has found working electronics that others have tossed away. Why are these treasures in the trash? Sometimes they’re returns, other times discontinued products. Whatever the reason, Matt loads them into his truck, makes repairs if necessary, and sells them for a handsome profit.
According to Wired, Matt believes he could earn a quarter of a million dollars if he decided to dumpster dive full-time. As a seasoned “for-profit archaeologist,” Matt has developed some clever techniques over the years. He’s always on the lookout for stores relocating or closing, and he’s learned to avoid places like Walmart and Best Buy, which destroy their merchandise with trash compactors. Matt focuses on easily marketable items like paper and toner. Most importantly, he never climbs into dumpsters (which is illegal) and always gets approval from store managers before embarking on his back-alley hunts.
While Matt is definitely raking in the cash, it’s not all about the money for him. He’s something of a modern-day Robin Hood, fixing up computers and donating them to kids in his neighborhood. But the thrill of dumpster diving is also part of the appeal. As Matt says, he gets a “treasure-hunt thrill” every time he stumbles upon something new. In many ways, he’s like a contemporary Indiana Jones—except instead of exploring jungles and deserts, he’s making a few pit stops on his way home from work.
8. Cameron Smith – DIY Spacesuit
Americans have always prided themselves on their adventurous spirit. After all, the first people to set foot on North America were immigrants braving the Bering Strait, leaving their homes behind to explore the great unknown. Over the years, figures like Lewis and Clark, Amelia Earhart, and Neil Armstrong have become icons of exploration. And maybe, just maybe, one day schoolchildren will open their history books and read about Cameron Smith, a Portland archaeologist with an extraordinary dream.
When Cameron Smith isn’t teaching at Portland State University, he’s working on creating his very own spacesuit. Why? Because Cameron has plans to journey into space... or at least soar 15,000 meters (50,000 feet) into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, he’s not a billionaire and can’t afford a commercial spaceflight. And since his eyesight isn’t quite up to astronaut standards, he can't join NASA either. So in 2008, Cameron set out to create his own space program to make the vast unknown of space more accessible to the everyday person. This ambitious endeavor requires a lot of sewing.
Cameron has dedicated years to crafting his homemade spacesuit, which consists of three essential layers. First, he dons a pair of long johns, then steps into Layer #1. This layer is crucial for preventing overheating. Cameron has sewn 7.5 meters (25 feet) of tubing into the suit, through which ice water flows, keeping his body cool and preventing the suit from becoming dangerously hot, which could easily turn Cameron into a cooked human.
The second layer, the pressure bladder, is designed to trap air and maintain a constant pressure on Cameron's body. This ensures that when he ascends into the atmosphere, he won’t experience decompression sickness. The final layer, Layer #3, is a mesh material sewn directly into the pressure bladder. This mesh prevents the air-filled pressure bladder from inflating like a balloon. Without Layer #3, Cameron would look something like the gum-chewing brat from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory who turns into a blueberry—uncomfortably puffed up.
Incredibly, Cameron has gone through four iterations of his spacesuit, yet the total cost for his project remains under $10,000. With the help of a small group of students, he’s pieced the suit together using materials easily found at a hardware store or on Amazon, with the exception of his impressive cosmonaut helmet, which he snagged on eBay. The next step for Cameron is to finish constructing his gondola and build a homemade hot air balloon to carry him high into the sky, where he hopes to experience conditions similar to space. But before he attempts that, Cameron plans to test the suit this Christmas by piloting a hot air balloon 9,000 meters (30,000 feet) into the atmosphere. If all goes well, he’ll be one step closer to joining the ranks of great space explorers like Sally Ride and Buzz Aldrin.
7. Lewis Greenberg – The Cranky Old Artist
Lewis Greenberg is an artist, but not the kind you might imagine. His work isn’t focused on watercolors or landscapes—no, Lewis is fixated on the Holocaust, and he’s transformed his home into a striking and abstract tribute to the lives lost during Hitler’s regime. Inside his house, you’ll find walls adorned with his art, and outside, his yard is filled with strange wooden structures, colorful statues, and a multitude of ‘No Trespassing’ signs. Rainbow Stars of David hang from his trees, ribbons drape over everything, and his grill has been turned into a makeshift crematorium. There’s a sign on his front lawn that reads “Holocaust Revisited,” his garage door bears a giant photo of the infamous Auschwitz gates, and the ground is covered in broken stone tiles.
Lewis Greenberg’s home is more than just a living space; it’s a statement. His obsession with the Holocaust has consumed his artistic expression, and the result is a provocative and controversial memorial to a tragic past. Whether his neighbors appreciate it or not, his outdoor art installation speaks to his dedication to remembering history in his own, uniquely abrasive way.
What’s with all the shattered tiles? Well, every day, Lewis takes an axe and smashes the stone into tiny fragments. His aim? To create six million miniature 'tombstones,' one for each Jewish person murdered by the Nazis. It’s an ambitious, if futile, project, but Lewis isn’t bothered by its impossibility. Nor is he concerned that his entire yard is filled with strange sculptures, all painted in bright red, yellow, and green. Nor does he mind if his neighbors dislike his art or get annoyed by the constant tile smashing at all hours of the day. He’s an artist, after all, protected by the First Amendment, as he likes to remind everyone. If others think his artwork is an eyesore, well, that’s their problem, not his.
As you might expect, Lewis isn’t particularly well-liked. His yard has transformed the neighborhood into something of a living nightmare. Properties are unsellable because no one wants to live near him. The grumpy artist often torments his neighbors, yelling at them and calling them Nazis whenever he gets the chance. Eventually, the community grew fed up with the ongoing spectacle, prompting someone to call the authorities. Lewis was charged with littering and storing hazardous materials, but he refused to dismantle his artwork.
Naturally, the police weren’t thrilled, and Lewis ended up behind bars, slapped with a $1,000 fine. He’s clearly paying a price for his art (although he’s a bit extreme in his martyrdom, even comparing himself to Nelson Mandela), but you have to respect his commitment to his craft. Apparently, the folks at Riverfront Times, a St. Louis newspaper, do as well, as they named him ‘Geezer of the Year’ in 2009. However, it might help if he stopped calling his neighbors ‘Nazis.’ Maybe work on those social skills, Lewis.
6. Robert Smith – The Portland Whistler
Robert Smith is a well-known figure in Portland, Maine. Even if people don’t know his name, they certainly recognize him by sight and by sound. Robert is a musician of sorts, and for the past few years, he has roamed the streets of Portland, sharing his unique talent with anyone who will listen. While some Portland residents appreciate Robert’s musical gifts, others are less than thrilled, often glaring at him or gritting their teeth whenever he passes by.
So why does Robert spark so much controversy? Well, Robert whistles. And when he whistles, he does it loud enough for everyone to hear.
The story began when Robert went through a tough breakup. Devastated, he stopped showing up at work, quickly spiraling into poverty and homelessness. In a dark and angry place, Robert sought guidance, and that’s when he received a flash of divine inspiration. He decided he was going to whistle. His plan? To 'whistle away all his negative energy.' With this newfound purpose, Robert grabbed his iPod, threw on a backpack, donned his ball cap, and boarded a bus from his hometown of Westbrook to Portland.
As Robert listened to classic tunes by bands like The Rolling Stones, he whistled along, sometimes for up to five hours a day. Admittedly, he wasn’t exactly a master of the art, but his volume made up for what he lacked in skill. Strangely enough, as Robert whistled his way through the streets, he found himself becoming happier, and his focus shifted from himself to others. His new goal? To whistle for the world. As Robert told the Portland Press Herald, 'I’m just trying to make people smile.'
Not everyone was a fan of Robert's impromptu concerts. On some occasions, Robert would stand in front of a single building for hours, whistling nonstop. Other times, he allegedly followed people who told him to stop, trying to annoy them on purpose.
Eventually, the authorities arrested Robert for disturbing the peace. While Robert argued that his whistling was protected under the First Amendment, the city of Portland didn’t quite see it that way. After all, there was a local law against excessive and bothersome whistling. Luckily for Robert, he struck a deal with the city officials. He agreed to tone it down and keep moving around, as long as they allowed him to continue his whistling hobby. The judge accepted, and soon Robert was back on the streets, a little quieter and constantly on the move.
Sadly (well, depending on your perspective), the streets of Portland have become much quieter. In July 2014, the Bangor Daily News reported that the Whistler seems to have vanished. Has Robert Smith abandoned his musical journey? Or is he simply taking a break before he returns to serenade the streets again? Only time will tell. (If you're in Portland, feel free to let us know if the Whistler is back!)
5. Ryan Beitz: Collecting Speed Videotapes
When it comes to all-time great action films, chances are that Speed, the 1994 thriller starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, will make the list. With a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and four stars from Roger Ebert, this high-octane movie is loved by fans. But it didn’t just spark a love for action—it also inspired an Idaho man named Ryan Beitz to embark on a bizarre mission. His goal? To collect every single VHS copy of Speed that exists.
Ryan’s quest began when he was just 19 years old. At the time, he was broke but still needed to buy Christmas presents for his family. That's how he ended up in a pawn shop, where he stumbled upon six VHS tapes of Speed. Initially, he planned to gift them as a joke, but when he discovered 30 more copies in another shop, he realized he had started a collection.
Since that fateful day, Ryan has launched the 'World Speed Project,' an initiative dedicated to tracking down every VHS copy of Speed on the planet. And if he has to steal them? Well, so be it. (The 'World Speed Project' is also planning to convert Ryan’s personal van into 'the Speed bus' to help him search the country for tapes.) According to his blog, Ryan has already gathered over 1,000 copies, which is no small feat. Even more impressive, when Ryan’s house caught fire, he managed to save his beloved collection.
What could Ryan possibly do with all those tapes, you ask? Well, once he filled a bathtub with his VHS collection and took what he dubbed a 'Speed' bath. Another time, he arranged the tapes like a giant domino setup and knocked them down. Who knows? Maybe in the future, he’ll launch them into space or use them as makeshift weapons to target business moguls. (That’s what he claims, anyway.) The point of the 'World Speed Project'? It has none. And that’s exactly the point. Ryan isn’t one for following societal norms, which is likely why he struts around in gym shorts, oversized sunglasses, and enormous jackets. He’s vehemently opposed to the idea of 'what one does'—to the concept of following rules—and if the world expects him to conform, well, they can forget it.
Of course, if you have a VHS copy of 'Speed' lying around, send it Ryan’s way. He would be absolutely thrilled to add it to his collection.
4. Nicole Angemi: The World's Most Controversial Instagrammer
At one point, Nicole Angemi dreamed of being a nurse. However, she soon realized she wasn’t quite passionate about caring for people. Instead, what truly captivated her was the human body itself. Nicole developed a deep fascination with blood and guts, which led her to work as a pathologist's assistant in a hospital just outside Philadelphia. Rather than helping people get better, her job was to figure out what was making them sick... or what had caused their death.
Nicole would spend hours 'elbows deep in blood,' cutting open tumors, placentas, and pretty much anything that came her way. Then one day, she pulled out her iPhone, snapped a particularly gross photo, and decided to post it on Instagram. From that moment, she started sharing hundreds of stomach-churning images, including gangrenous feet, blackened foreskins, and a variety of miscarried fetuses.
So, what exactly motivates Nicole to share such disturbing content with the world? According to Mrs. Angemi, it's all about education. Her goal is 'to bring awareness' to the hidden aspects of the medical field and help people understand more about their own bodies. Nicole also argues that she avoids posting images that lack 'impact or educational value.' Still, one can't help but wonder if her 350,000+ followers are all really interested in science.
As you might have guessed, Nicole's morbid pastime has sparked significant controversy. Not everyone is a fan of her unsettling images—some raise concerns about privacy, while others are simply disturbed by the content. Her posts frequently get reported, and she's now on her third Instagram account (FYI: that's the real one), as the previous two accounts were shut down. But Nicole isn’t backing down from sharing her gruesome finds, so if you decide to check out her Instagram, you might want to keep a barf bag handy.
3. Sherwin Shayegan: The Piggyback Bandit
The world of sports is full of some strange fans, but we're not talking about the shirtless guys covered in body paint. We mean people like Barry Bremen, the impostor who sneaked into a pro football game dressed as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, or Zack Hample, the obsessive collector who's grabbed over 7,000 baseballs at stadiums nationwide. But none of them can hold a candle to Sherwin Shayegan, who is undoubtedly the creepiest sports fan in history.
Sherwin grew up in Seattle, deeply involved in his high school sports scene—though not as an athlete. He was the manager for both the school's soccer and football teams, the guy who handed out water bottles and offered high fives to the players. Occasionally, the athletes would even give Sherwin celebratory piggyback rides. During his time as the team manager, Sherwin felt like he was a part of something special... until everything changed after he graduated in 2001.
Suddenly, Sherwin’s life began to unravel. His brother moved away, his parents divorced, and he was left feeling lost, unsure of where to go or what to do. So, he hit the road... and unleashed a wave of awkward terror across the United States. Trying to recapture his former glory, Sherwin started showing up at high school hockey games, swim meets, and football matches all around the country. But rather than simply watching the game, he’d pick a player, and when the kid wasn’t paying attention, he’d jump on the poor boy’s back.
What makes this particularly unsettling—beyond the fact that he was leaping onto kids’ backs—was the extent of planning and preparation that went into these piggyback attacks. Sherwin would gather detailed information on his potential targets by researching them online, learning about their previous games or favorite foods. This allowed him to strike up conversations with his victims as though he was a part of their world. Sometimes, he’d disguise himself in sports jerseys, pretending to be part of the team or acting as a team manager while he bided his time. On occasion, he even tried to gain favor with the coaches by offering to make financial donations to the team.
And then, at just the right moment, he’d leap onto the unsuspecting player’s back.
Surprisingly, very few people ever reported 'The Piggyback Bandit.' Perhaps the victims were too embarrassed to speak out. But Sherwin wasn’t immune to consequences for his creepy behavior. On one occasion, he was charged with fourth-degree assault after luring an athlete into a library and pouncing on him. Sherwin was also banned from attending sporting events in five states: Oregon, Montana, Washington, Minnesota, and South Dakota. In late 2014, he was arrested for attempting to drag a Virginia teen into a locker room.
Of course, some people view Sherwin as a pervert, while others see him as a troubled soul trying to reclaim his lost youth. Whatever the truth may be, if you're a high school athlete, you might want to keep an eye out next time you step onto the field—because you never know when the Piggyback Bandit might strike.
2. Carey McWilliams, The Blind Marksman
Handing a gun to a blind man might seem like a terrible idea, but after meeting Carey McWilliams, you might reconsider. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Carey lost his sight at the age of 10 due to hydrocephalus, but this didn’t stop him from becoming one of the world’s most impressive blind marksmen. As a teenager, he attended a military camp where his interest in firearms was sparked. He later passed an ROTC marksmanship course, an NRA exam, and became the first blind American to earn a concealed carry permit after acing another shooting test.
So how does a blind man manage to shoot a gun? According to Carey, his finely tuned sense of hearing helps him detect his target’s location. He also relies on 'body positioning and gravity.' In a 2014 interview with NBC, McWilliams explained it this way: 'I visualize the target in my mind, and I can actually see it then in front of my eyes, and I visualize where the gun is in relation to the target.'
Carey doesn’t just carry a pistol; his collection includes an AK-47, an AR-15, and several hunting rifles. Believe it or not, Carey is an exceptional hunter. He’s successfully hunted everything from deer to bear to even an alligator. Naturally, he gets a little help—a friend guides him on where to aim—but it’s Carey alone who holds the gun and pulls the trigger. When asked about his love for hunting, Carey explains that it helps him manage his PTSD. After being attacked by a pack of dogs several years ago, he claims that hunting large predators aids him in facing his fears.
It’s no surprise that Carey has stirred some controversy. He even appeared in Michael Moore’s *Bowling for Columbine*. However, despite his strong belief in the right to bear arms, Carey doesn’t think that just anyone should be allowed to carry a weapon. When North Dakota eliminated the written portion of their concealed weapons test, Carey campaigned against the change, arguing that relaxed gun laws would make it far too easy for the wrong people to get guns. Carey is also outspoken about the discrimination blind people face, especially in relation to firearms. As the blind marksman himself puts it, 'I’m trying to prove a point that people without sight still can carry (a gun) because brains are more important than eyesight in securing public safety.'
1. Jay Thunderbolt, Special Ops Strip Club Owner
Jay's philosophy is straightforward: never harm children, never mess with the elderly, and never strike women. A gun enthusiast, Jay carries a pistol and wears a bulletproof vest to protect himself in Detroit, a city not known for its safety. But beyond his military background, the most fascinating part of Jay's story is his time running a strip club right from his own home.
Jay’s business card proudly states 'Thunderbolt—Party Naked,' representing his company, *Thunderbolt Entertainment*. Without offering food or alcohol, he avoids the need for a cabaret license and operates 24/7. Jay fills many roles—DJ, bouncer, accountant—and even offers a mobile service. Hosting a party? Jay will bring the entertainment to you, letting you pick your preferred dancers from a photo album.
His business model is as unconventional as his lifestyle. Jay’s home-based strip club doesn’t serve food or drinks, allowing him to operate without a cabaret license. He’s a one-man show—DJ, bouncer, and accountant. His business, Thunderbolt Entertainment, is open all hours, and he even offers a mobile service, bringing dancers to parties. You can even handpick your favorites from a photo album.
As you might imagine, Jay has found considerable success in his life. But, to balance things out, he makes donations to a breast cancer charity. He credits these good deeds as the reason behind receiving two prestigious certificates from the Republican Congressional Committee’s Business Advisory Council. One certificate is signed by Newt Gingrich, and the other by Tom DeLay, both of which he proudly displays on his wall.
As you might expect, Jay isn't exactly the most stable individual. In 2013, while facing weapons charges, he made the bizarre claim to a judge that his house was 'booby-trapped with explosives.' The bomb squad was dispatched to investigate, only to discover Jay was joking. Since then, Thunderbolt has seemingly vanished. If you were to visit his house today, you'd find the doors nailed shut and the place completely abandoned. But Jay is likely still out there, armed with his gun and bulletproof vest, and as long as he has a boom box and a few female companions, he's probably doing just fine.
