ive larped for years. not your little things like the lightning bolt video, but 1000-a-side battles with professional pyrotechnics, a game world with a persistent economy and guilds etc.
whilst you do get a few socially awkward people (its a safe, non-judgemental environment where they can be comfortable and learn some social skills, so im all for it), most of the larpers i know are from all walks of life, from squaddies to nuclear physicists to massage therapists (they run in in-character 'brothel' where you get a decent professional massage for in-game cash). there are even in-character bars (or there were when i went) where you can sit around drinking some of the best homebrew ive ever had (and i do like my ale) and play the social side of things.
A few guys i know are looking into starting up a swords and firearms larp/airsoft crossover that sounds interesting.
sigh at the videos. americans always manage to make larping look bad with their crappy weapons and worse costumes
