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.”
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?