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?

Weekly Tinyo : 09/30/2011

By Zyra Montefolca | Posted in October 1, 2011

Green Documentaries

By Cyril Jerome Almanzor | Posted in September 2, 2011

Curiosity killed the cat”, and this is why this age will be named as the “cat-less generation”, with more people being curious about their environment, about the world they are living in. Hundreds of years ago, it took Ferdinand Magellan almost a lifetime to prove that the earth is not flat. The knowledge he obtained from this exploration was not widely available at that time, and one can hardly know whether what he had imparted is valid or not. That’s how it was before, but what now?

Information Aged

Today, everything is just a “google” away. The innovation from the television to the computer, so as the camera brought many changes on how information is served. One might have heard of Al Gore’s “Incovenient Truth”, and how it is geared in raising awareness about global warming. Most documentaries that the television caters right now are raising awareness on the condition of the environment – both tamed and wild –and how the phenomena of global warming makes no difference in changing the course of events on Asia and the rest of the Earth.

Couch learning at its Finest

More than the fad of technology in everyone’s lives, one might be in constant watch on National Geographic shows or that of Discovery Channel. These programs are information “reservoir”, and it’s a good start on getting to know the world. It would be a hassle for someone to go 70 knots off Antarctica just to see the action on whaling fleets, or to the depths of the Amazon forest to see the anacondas. This gigantic television channels has more than just a pack of trivia, but brings its viewers to new heights and efficient way of learning – seeing the world through technology like television. Who says learning is impossible by just sitting in front of the television?

CURIOSITY… THEY HAVE IT!
Discovery Channel is one of the famous informative, comprehensive, and interesting information pools that houses documentaries from “Storm Chasers” in the Tornado Alley of United States to the underwater adventures of Jeremy Wade that uncovers the world’s largest, strangest and most dangerous fish in “RIVER MONSTERS”. Name your concerns and Discovery will satisfy your interest.

Storm Chasers
One of the most popular, the storm chasers made their way not just to see a tornado move and destroy, but to go INSIDE and SURVIVE the devastating blow. With three teams, chasing the tornado each spring is their main goal – crossing the Great Plains known as “Tornado” Valley just to cut across the feared tornadoes.
The concern, however, is not just chasing, but seeing what is in the tornado, accounting how many were affected, killed or injured, and helping in ways like early warning and prevention. Epic tornado chase turns to be life-saving, as they dissect the inside and out of a tornado, giving understanding to its viewers. As Ginger Zee says, “the only way out to a perfect storm is cutting through its very core”.

Ignorance is Boring
As National Geographic Channel motto says, “Ignorance is boring”, with no offence to Socrates. This statement definitely encapsulates the philosophy behind every show and documentary that this organization has been covering for the last 123 years of its existence.
Nat-Geo showcases different perspectives about environment, the people, and how this two correlate, affect, and survive with one another. This organization has the guts to bring knowledge at the doorsteps of everyone – eradicating misconceptions and ignorance.
From witnessing disasters first hand to the roots of “wild” justice, Nat-Geo explores the unexplored terrains of the world, the environment, and imparts knowledge and understanding on why and how certain phenomenon works.

Witness: Disaster
The first documentary on the list is Witness: Disaster. The documentary revolves around an actual disaster, nature’s wild justice, and sees what’s going on there through a range of photographs, amateur footages, news reports, and real eye-witnesses that brings forth heart-pounding moments from inside of the world’s worst natural disasters.
No one brings a better biography of a disaster than this show does. It accounted for devastations of Hurricane Katrina and how this ruined thousands of lives in just 72 hours. It is like reconstructing and dramatizing the disaster as it happened. Even the tragic tsunami in Japan is better viewed from the point of view of a witness – of this program. This catastrophic event does not only require a good crew, but the people who experienced the disaster first-hand. Watching this show is like experiencing the disaster without actually going there.

Matanglawin
Being part of the global village, Philippines has its own way of getting to know the environment, animals, and anything about the earth through educational shows. One good example would be Kuya Kim in his show “Matanglawin”.
Packed with trivia, Kuya Kim goes beyond the surface of information about animals and the environment as a whole. Now, who says watching television is a bad thing?

Curiosity = Responsibility
These programs are going beyond the usual, making every mystery of the world explained. From aerial going terrestrial down fluvial, technology has pacified the complexities of curiosity, so far.
One can never say whether this kind of learning is good or bad – or rather out of the question. What stands now as a reality is the fact that the man has overpowered environment. It was now explored and explained, making the environment just the size of our palm – where man is in total dominion over nature.

This dominion might explain the existence of global warming, and how nature is abused by the very stewards of it – humans. Equipped with knowledge about the conditions of Earth, the call now is a greater challenge on how one treats the environment – from the simplest waste segregation in the trash bin to the greatest ideas like building a coal power plant in Davao City – this curiosity bears with it a greater responsibility, because knowing is not enough.

Dumago resigns from office

By Atenews | Posted in October 2, 2011

Last night, Atenews received an insider report from the SAMAHAN Central Board saying that SAMAHAN President Aldwin Dumago will resign from the office.

Just this morning, Mr. Dumago confirmed his resignation through Facebook. Some of his friends and colleagues from SCB posted their appreciation of his rendered service and leadership within his six months in office.

As to why Mr. Dumago decided to leave the office, students are speculating that the huge pressure as student council president brought him to resign. Others speculate that an alleged threat from libel charges might be one of the reasons.

Dumago will clarify the issues on Monday. As what he said on his fb account, ”I can circulate the memo myself on Monday,”

As of now, Ms. Jubail Pasia, as GACP Chair and SAMAHAN Internal Vice President, takes over as the SAMAHAN President.