Vapor Digest #3 The Trade Publication For The Vapor Products Industry
Issue link: http://vapordigest.epubxp.com/i/442928
36 Dimitri Agrafiotis Continued from page 5: Patrick V*: One of my favorite hobbies is to make predictions about the future of vaping. What, in general, do you foresee on the vaping horizon for 2015? My predictions are often a bit wacky and ridiculously specific. Is there any wild-ass prediction that you would like to make for 2015? Dimitri: I am excited about 2015 with innovation and mainstream representation continuing to increase. Thanks in part to a wonderful, grass roots community and more small businesses popping up all over the world, smokers now have choices. The industry is flourishing with improved equipment, artisan eliquids and education. What I am mostly excited about though is one thing we have been lacking as an industry and that is research! Patrick V*: What is something people in t h e vaping community probably don't know about you that you are willing to let them know? Dimitri: I absolutely love old school hip hop music. I am not talking gangster rap but feel good base groove lines that make you want to get up and start dancing. Anything from the 80's really lightens my mood no matter the amount of stress I'm under. I also want to note here that no matter what Phil Busardo says I DO NOT love the color pink. Blue is my favorite color :) ********************************************** Phil Busardo Continued from page 7: Patrick V*: As a true pioneer in the world of vaping, in 2015, I would like to put your name on the ballot (with your permission of course) for the Vaping Hall of Fame (if you are unfamiliar, it's at www.vapinghalloffame.org). As a young- ster, you obviously didn't dream of being in the Vaping Hall, but most kids do dream of being considered "great" at something someday, what was it for you? Phil: Ugh! First, if you know me, you know how I feel about "Vape Famous" or "Vape Royalty." I'm a regular guy who has a passion for vaping, for helping people with vaping, and for putting a smile on faces along the way. It's why when anyone approaches me and calls them self a "fan" they will get a scolding. "Be a friend, not a fan. Who the hell am I to have fans?" is what you'll hear. The one thing I want to be considered "great" at is just being a person. I'm a helpful, likable, and respectable person. Patrick V*: What is something people in the vaping community probably don't know about you that you are willing to let them know? (were looking for something somewhat unusual and/or lighthearted if possible) Phil: An interesting question especially since I pretty much put it all out there. What you see is what you get. I love when people come up to me and say they feel like they already know me because of all the videos. You DO already know me. The guy in the videos is the same guy as in real life. There's nothing put on, there's no act, there's no made up personality. It's who I am. ********************************************** Blake Brown Continued from page 9: Blake: I certainly don't see myself as one to predict the future, in fact, there have been many times in the past where my predictions couldn't have been further from what eventually transpired. However, I'm predicting that mechanical mods will sooner-or-later fade away into a distance as regulated devices emerge once again in the elite portion of the industry. Although mechanical mods are big in the market right now, I think this fad will eventually pass. Regulated mods will continue to dominate in the vaping market, more specifically box mods, just because there are more options for internals and customization. Rebuildable atomizers is where it's at right now, and I believe in 2015 those who still live by their clearomizer will eventually switch. Mechanical mods have heightened risks associated with them since there are no safety features in place. These safety features are commonly found in regulated devices that are being used today. Without these safety features, the risk of house fires and other mishaps is increased significantly by those who lack knowledge on how to properly use these devices. Another strong point that lead to my prediction is the history in other electronic industry types. With the mobile phone market, phones originated as large devices that had limited functionality. As time progressed, those phones became smaller in size and grew in functionality, which lead to the smartphones we all use today. I feel as if the electronic cigarette industry has taken the same path. Large regulated mods have always been popular, and though mechanical (unregulated) mods have risen in fame, these regulated, namely high wattage devices, will trump them in time. We've already begun seeing this prediction come to life with VaporShark's rDNA, Cloupor's T8, and many others. What it ultimately comes down to is that vapers are not limited with the use of mechanical mods. Manufacturers will begin creating devices that deliver modern safety features, while also removing limitations that most mechanical mod users have avoided. When this happens, mechanical mods will have nothing to offer but a risk... that no one is willing to take. Is this a bad time to be cheesy and chant safety first? I also believe that although we have a serious threat with the FDA, the industry would be too large for them to make any serious changes that will affect our normal vape life. If it were to change, I believe then we would see a real fight and gathering from vapers. Patrick V*: As a youngster, you obviously didn't dream of being in the Vaping Hall, but most kids do dream of being considered "great" at something someday, what was it for you? Blake: When I was a kid, I wanted to be great at skateboarding. However, as I got older I'd somewhat lost touch with what I wanted to be great at, until I fell in love with vaping. Not that I feel like I've made it to greatness when it comes to my role in this industry, but I do want to be great at what I do. Recognition isn't something I've received a lot from outside of those who I have helped so a pat on the back or good job definitely feels good and motivates me. Patrick V*: What is something people in the vaping community probably don't know about you that you are willing to let them know? Blake: I've suffered from hypochondria for a good portion of my life. It's something that I struggled to control, and in these past few years, it's gotten a lot easier, but it is still there. When I get a headache, I have to try and avoid getting an anxiety attack because I automatically think I have a tumor or something is seriously wrong with me. Its little things like that, that spark an uncomfortable feeling. The funny thing is, I have only been sick one time since I started vaping almost 4 years ago... and it was just a cold. Yes, I'm knocking on wood right now. ********************************************** Nick Green Continued from page 13: the ballot (with your permission of course) for the Vaping Hall of Fame (if you are unfamiliar, it's atwww.vapinghalloffame.org). As a youngster, you obviously didn't dream of being in the Vaping Hall, but most kids do dream of being considered "great" at something someday, what was it for you? Nick: Oh wow! I honestly didn't know a Vaping Hall of Fame even existed. I would be honored to be part of that. Honestly, when I was a kid I never dreamed of being "famous" or "Popular." I always dreamed of professions like Biologist, or Chemist, or Music teacher. I've always got more satisfaction from teaching or helping people, rather than being some sort of famous vape celebrity. Patrick V*: What is something people in the vaping community probably don't know about you that you are willing to let them know? (were looking for something somewhat unusual and/or lighthearted if possible) Nick: I started playing bass in High School. Since then I've been in 16 different bands in my life. Everything from radio rock, to death metal. My most recent band (that I had to quit in 2013 unfortunately) was called GLACIER, from Reno NV. We played doomy sludge metal. It was great fun, and I have a feeling at some point I'm going to be in another few bands throughout my life.