Laying Down The Facts On Planking

By Marie Florienne Melendrez | Posted in November 30, 2011

Back then, the typical routine when surfing the internet went like this: you turn the PC on, open the browser, go to your favorite web sites and get amazed with tons of new information, pictures and videos that the deemed “glorious “ internet had to offer. But now it can be observed that this habit has undergone some minor tweaking: you turn the PC on, open the browser, go to some web sites to gain new information, look at some new pictures and videos posted on the internet then suddenly be astounded—not because of the newly gathered information or recently seen photos or videos but due to the realization that the internet has opened its doors to people who post photos of themselves acting like planks of wood; this is the new internet craze called planking and it usually leaves most of its viewers in varying levels of amazement and admiration but sometimes, disdain.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It’s very noticeable that planking has hit the World Wide Web hard. We can see pictures of plankers just by googling or browsing social networking sites. Many see them. Many know them. But do many know how it started?

According to Tom Meltzer of UK’s The Guardian, the fad started about 14 years ago merely due to boredom. The activity, which was then called “The Lying Down” game, was initiated by two kids: Gary Clarkson, then 15, and Christian Langdon who was 12. The two used to perform the plank in public places for fun, not realizing that they were catching the attention of the passersby. As a result, the game slowly started getting known to their friends at school and to the other kids in their neighborhood. It was only in 2007 that it boomed after they created its Facebook group page. They instantly started receiving photos that varied from planking on top of TV sets to trees and even roads from their few thousand supporters.

THE RULES

Some would say that in order to get involved in this fad, you only need four things: a body that can be as stiff and sturdy as a wood plank, a unique place to perform the act (the more peculiar the place is, the more recognition you will gain), a device to take your photo and an internet connection which will pave the way for your worldwide recognition. When you have these, you’re all set for the next steps to become a planker: lie face down, press your arms against your sides and point your feet to the floor. You just need to ask someone to take a photo of you then upload it to the Internet. Voila! You can already be an instant cyber celebrity just by acting like a piece of wood.

OF ALL ACTIVITIES, WHY PLANKING?

With all the other activities one can do, it’s no wonder why people would sometimes be baffled as to why planking has been supported by many especially youngsters. Christian Langdon, one of the game’s creators, stated in the game’s official website that he does planking because he finds it ‘hysterically relaxing’. An article by Elizabeth Flock in the website of The Washington Post also revealed the various reasons of planking enthusiasts as reflected by their comments in a social networking site. For some, it is done just to kill time. Some also see it as a means to get adrenaline. While some spurt out petty and quite obvious reasons, some also defended planking with more unusual motives such as being seen as someone “mature.”

THE CRITICISMS

Although the great number of planking supporters cannot be denied, there are still some who are against this so-called “fun” game mostly because of the danger it brings.

About four months ago, the Australian media bombarded the masses with different news stories about Acton Beale, the first casualty of planking. According to reports, Beale was performing the plank on the balcony railing of his apartment in Brisbane, Australia when he suddenly fell from the seventh floor, causing his death. This tragic event and all other incidents brought about by the fad, such as planking atop police cars, restaurant signage, and even cliffs have prompted some people to despise it. An article by Megan Coleman of CNY Central revealed some of the disputes about planking like the statement of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. “There’s a difference between a harmless bit of fun done somewhere that’s really safe and taking a risk with your life,” she said.

Aside from this, some people also protested against planking through their online posts saying it is a stupid pastime and a pointless way to get attention or affection considering the risks it entails to one’s life.

THE QUESTION

It cannot be denied that planking has permeated the cyber space and has gained the power to place the globe in a fiery debate. With all the different perspectives toward this fad, it may be hard to distinguish whether it is actually reasonable or not. Probably the better way of giving judgment toward this Internet craze is to ask the question: is the act of having fun and gaining recognition worth the hazards and risks that come with it?