What is planking? The latest craze? A competitive sport? Or a criminal offence? While planking has become a worldwide fad seen as a bit of harmless fun, Queensland police warn that plankers caught in dangerous situations could be charged with Unauthorised High Risk Activity. The activity has so far seen a man charged with trespass after planking on a police vehicle, has caused the death of a man who fell from a 7-story building while attempting to plank on the railing of his balcony and the death of a man who was thrown from the roof of a car, however it has been said he was car surfing but his death continuously is referred to as a planking incident. The activity itself involves lying face down, hands by your side and in unusual places, the more unusual and creative the better. What has sparked the craze is that plankers post their photos on facebook pages and websites which offer prizes for the best planker, thus through social media the activity has gone international. It’s likely however that many individuals only learnt of the ‘sport’ through mainstream media as I myself only heard of it on the 6 o’clock news when a crew member planked across the news desk following the report of the recent craze. Therefore is it then only the media we have to blame for promoting reckless planking resulting in illegal behaviour and even death. Personally I don’t understand the obsession with planking and why some schools have even banned the activity with already many students being suspended. Victorian police are claiming to impose $293 on-the-spot fines if plankers’ were walking or climbing on any part of rail premises not intended for passenger use and also a fine to those who cause an annoyance on/around public transport. One mans’ comment over South Australia’s discussion over outlawing dangerous planking reads ‘They will now have to outlaw mountain climbing, bungy jumping, crossing the road…’, which is the general disbelief of the public in which the amount of media and government attention over planking is ridiculous and if anything, only fuelling the activity.
It is the focus that ‘dangerous’ planking is what is of concern, however isn’t this then the same as dangerous walking and standing. Individuals should not be charged for planking but if it involves actual illegal behaviour such as trespass, public nuisance or reckless behaviour then yes these are offences. It is evident that the definition of a criminal act is broadening with new technologies and changing societal values and morals however is it necessary to include simply idiotic behaviour to the list?
A.Cook (24/05/11) What a Plank: SA AGS office mulls planking ban, Crikey
A.Godfrey (17/05/11) How Brisbane planking death of Acton Beale is fueling a dangerous web craze, The Daily Telegraph
T. Chilcott (19/05/11) Students suspended for planking at two queensland schools, The Courier Mail
I guess some of the discussion has to come back to the role of the media in potentially perpetuating the activity, as well as turning into a deviant activity.
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