Scrolling through my news feed on facebook today, I noticed a friend had posted a link to a facebook group called “Planking”. Intrigued by what this could mean, I decided to click the link. I was immediately puzzled when I saw pictures of people lying flat on their faces in crazy places or on unusual objects. The group already has over 250,000 likes and over 10,000 photos of plankers! Here are the rules to planking according to the facebook group:
“When performing a Plank:
1/ You must always lay face down, ensuring your face remains expressionless for the duration of the Plank.
2/ Your legs must remain straight, and together with toes pointed.
3/ Your arms must be placed by your side, held straight and fingers pointed.
4/ You must make it known that you are Planking. Saying 'I am Planking' usually get this across. Sternly announcing it will ensure a good result.
5/ Your safety should always be considered. Properly thought through Planking procedures should always go to plan. Never put yourself at undue risk.
6/ Every Plank that is captured must be named.”
“When performing a Plank:
1/ You must always lay face down, ensuring your face remains expressionless for the duration of the Plank.
2/ Your legs must remain straight, and together with toes pointed.
3/ Your arms must be placed by your side, held straight and fingers pointed.
4/ You must make it known that you are Planking. Saying 'I am Planking' usually get this across. Sternly announcing it will ensure a good result.
5/ Your safety should always be considered. Properly thought through Planking procedures should always go to plan. Never put yourself at undue risk.
6/ Every Plank that is captured must be named.”
After reading the instructions it all seems like a harmless game, but after browsing through the pictures, it looks like some people might be taking the planking fad a bit too far! Here are two examples of people who have planked to the extreme!
Is that not crazy? As planking continues to attract more fans, it’s also growing in controversy. On May 15th, 2011, a 20 year old Australian man fell to his death after attempting to plank on a balcony. This is the first death caused by planking, and police are worried that the trend will potentially cause more deaths as people attempt to plank in more and more extravagant places.
Generally, I think this is a pretty funny and amusing trend, and I wouldn’t mind taking part in some planking of my own! However, I agree that some people might be taking planking a little too far.
Your thoughts on planking?
Plankings a good laugh, we do it around school and have got into some pretty crazy places to do it
ReplyDeleteIt depends how far you take it as to how serious the game should be taken.. obviously planking on a balcony probably isnt a good idea as shown by the death.
Like everything in life... its good if you dont go too crazy over it! :)
These people are insane!
ReplyDeleteseems pointless
ReplyDeleteAll things in moderation. seems hilarious but of course, people go too far..always haha
ReplyDeleteHaha, I just heard about planking the other day. This is one of the most absurd things I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteCool, I was at a gym/park the other day that was designed for doing stuff like that
ReplyDeletehmmm. Well I guess Ill just have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI think planking is innocent and fun...but that one kid who died was drunk(so I've heard)
ReplyDeletePlanking has resulted in deaths - please be careful people
ReplyDeletePlanking eh? Meant something totally different when I was younger...
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! Must take some serious body strength to keep that stiff :)
ReplyDeletenever heard of it, but it does seem like a funny idea. Just don't get hurt ;)
ReplyDeletephanking seems stupid
ReplyDeleteSeems like another crazy trend. I think it's funny when it doesn't involve them endangering themselves.
ReplyDelete