I think the only rule is once you've started going, don't get knocked back to the start. There may also be a time limit, I don't remember. As for strategy, there are cutouts in the walls you're supposed to try to slip into between boulders falling, but laying down is also totally valid.

It’s akin to a magic show. The whole idea is that someone is not supposed to get hurt. Penn & Teller have a whole trick where they talk about the importance of safety (the “magic bullet” trick).

Because you know what really ruins the magic? When someone gets hurt.

Ah good point, I assumed the rubber deflection would have altered the interaction. But when a larger bolder hits something there has to be some impulse calculation, Like when a bus hits a cyclist, the bus doesn't stop from firing the cyclist away fast

Lol

I'm surprised they didn't just design some magnetic roller system to couple the ball to the ramp and stop it if necessary. It really would have cost less than this person's compensation, most likely.

No, workers comp is exactly for this kind of thing. The deal is that workers get paid for injuries on the job regardless of fault in exchange for a simpler calculation of how much they get.

Before worker's comp, it was very common for employers to claim the defenses of contributory negligence (the worker was doing something wrong), fellow servant doctrine (another worker was doing something wrong), or assumption of risk (cmon, he knew it was dangerous when he took the job). Those defenses are no longer available in workers comp cases, so payment is a bit more straightforward.

Yes