The plank: Why walk it when you can BE it?

Planking: Risky even for inanimate objects. See the
editor's note below.

This one's going straight into my "People are Stupid" file:
 
"Planking." Not to be confused with the yoga pose. Apparently it's a trend where people take photos of themselves in supine or prone positions to post on their social media network of choice. It's an activity, evidently, in which folks attempt to one-up others by laying on surfaces of ever-increasing degrees of impressiveness (and, one assumes, ever-decreasing degrees of narrowness). This post at the blog of The Atlantic associate editor Nicholas Jackson mentions that an Australian man died after attempting to plank on the railing of a seventh-floor balcony.

Of course.

"Stupidity" doesn't come close to describing this sort of behavior, no matter which angle you chose to discuss it. If you're going to injure or kill yourself while attempting to impress others, at least take up an activity with some panache, one that requires some level of technical or physical prowess.

Like parkour.

Does anyone else hate the mimicry mentality that has blown up with the Internet? 

Editor's note: I managed to prove to myself the folly of planking. One Android was harmed in the production of the above photo. In attempting to plank on the edge of my desk at work, it tumbled off the edge. I bobbled it a few times before securing it in my hand. 

As I set it down I noticed one of its antenna had snapped off. I did a little in-the-field triage in an attempt to reattach the appendage, but Elmer's Glue is not the most powerful of surgical adhesives. I will monitor the patient's recovery and perhaps try a more potent glue. In lieu of flowers or sympathy cards, please send money for medical expenses. I'll be sure the funds are administered ... somehow.

No doubt nervous, the other Android stepped up, this time secured with a bit of scotch tape.We value safety here at TiW; it's usually our second priority.