Why do people plank and what's the point?

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The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of planking, a trend where individuals lie face down in unusual locations. Participants express confusion over its appeal, questioning its fun factor and suggesting that the humor may stem from the incredulity it generates. Some participants mention that while the initial instances of planking were amusing, the trend has become mundane with repetitive and less creative locations. Concerns are raised about safety, referencing a tragic incident where someone died while attempting to plank on a balcony rail. Additionally, there’s mention of a proposed bill in Congress that would impose penalties for planking, which participants find absurd. The conversation also touches on the physical aspect of planking, with one user humorously suggesting that they planked in their sleep, leading to a light-hearted debate about the trend's legitimacy and the nature of personal freedoms.
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I just don't get this fad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lying_down_game

apple-store-planking-5110525161700.jpe


Does anyone here do it? And what's the point?
 
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Uhm.... what?
 


Is it fun? It doesn't look fun.

If you could plank on top of a hot babe, maybe it would be more fun, but not on a desk, a floor, or a building. Just sayin'
 


I guess we all have our vices...
 


No idea why it's popular all of a sudden, but it's been around for a long time. The first few were pretty funny, and the locations were decidedly more awkward / compromising, now it's just guy on kitchen counter, dude on fence, etc.

Yawn. :P

Extreme Ironing gets more kudos from me.

[PLAIN]http://www.oneinchpunch.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/extreme-ironing-04.jpg
 
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Math Is Hard said:
I just don't get this fad...what's the point?

I don't claim to know, I can only suggest the possibility that the 'point' in as much as there is one, is to draw precisely this kind of response. Their amusement is in your incredulity.
 


I planked all last night. I highly recommend it. You get up feeling very refreshed.
 
  • #10


Jimmy Snyder said:
I planked all last night. I highly recommend it. You get up feeling very refreshed.

Yes, I believe that a central part of 'planking' is to tighten various muscles to render yourself rigid, in the manner of a plank of wood. I suspect that the reason you felt so refreshed when you got up is because for most of the night, all of the pertinent muscles in your body were relaxed, thus rendering you more pliable than the average plank of wood.
 
  • #11


ryan_m_b said:
It wasn't so long ago that someone actually died attempting this, they tried to plank on a balcony rail. Very sad http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13389207
Yes. There is a bill in Congress right now to make planking illegal. The first offense is a misdemeanor, or more technically a nondemeanor. Second and subsequent offenses call for hefty fines and even jail time. Penalties are doubled for planking within 500 yards of a school.
 
  • #12


And I thought planking was what you did to salmon.
 
  • #14


I just did a google search on extreme planking. OMG
 
  • #15


Pengwuino said:
Yes, "sad".
:smile:
 
  • #16


Now I question how "Genius" those guys really are. xP
 
  • #17


Jimmy Snyder said:
I planked all last night. I highly recommend it. You get up feeling very refreshed.
You planked in your sleep!?

Vanadium 50 said:
And I thought planking was what you did to salmon.
That's what I thought too. I guess I've missed out on a lot.

Humting sounds like more fun than planking.
 
  • #18


Jimmy Snyder said:
Yes. There is a bill in Congress right now to make planking illegal. The first offense is a misdemeanor, or more technically a nondemeanor. Second and subsequent offenses call for hefty fines and even jail time. Penalties are doubled for planking within 500 yards of a school.

Yes, let's make it illegal to lay down. I don't see that one being passed.
 
  • #19


QuarkCharmer said:
Yes, let's make it illegal to lay down. I don't see that one being passed.
Why not? All the other restrictions on personal freedom passed as soon as anyone stubbed their toe on something.
 
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