Not sure that's any more absurd than thousands of poker players descending on a city where they get to pay for housing, transportation, mandatory tips, and overpriced food, all while playing a game where their winnings will be taxed at the going rate. I think the word "masochist" comes to mind.
I can vouch for their having been a merit badge for learning Morse Code before the Boy Scouts got savaged by Woke. So telegraphs are out there, somewhere.