For quite some time, planking has been a worldwide sensation gone viral. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone out into the world, lied down perfectly flat on their stomachs on a random surface and snapped a photo of them to upload onto the Internet. Whether they are on important landmarks or on their very own kitchen counters, people just keep on planking.
A website has even been created, www.planking.me, and as the self-proclaimed “official home of planking,” provides anyone with an interest in planking a “how to” guide and the option to “submit plank.”
They also offer a wide variety of planking categories having to do with the location of the plank throughout the world while also offering the unique option of “celebrity planking.” Though the subject sounds tempting, after clicking on the link, no recognizable celebrities were shown in this specific genre.
As far as the guide goes, it simply reiterates the fact that one must be lying perfectly still on their stomach perfectly straight. Nothing states that there must be a specific location as to where one would plank, but usually it consists of various sturdy objects such as walls, counters or even mailboxes. However, the website does warn that anyone who wants to plank should do so safely.
According to the British periodical, The Guardian, one has already faced a fatal end due to his planking excursions. In May 2011, Acton Beale, a 20-year-old Australia native, planked to his death. Seven stories high on an apartment balcony in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, the young man most likely never suspected his silly pastime to take a toll on his own life. What was supposed to be a night of fun and games with a friend, turned out to be a tragedy.
Shortly after, The Guardian reported that Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, wanted to restrict plankers from continuing their quirky craze. She agreed that “everyone likes a bit of fun,” but strongly urges those to be safe while doing so.
Although what Gillard says is true, this has not stopped plankers.
Here at the University, the epidemic has hit! Freshman Alissa Mustillo was recently photographed by her fellow classmate, Brianne Pangaro, planking in the lounge of her very own building, Mullaney Hall.
Mustillo claims “planking has swept the nation as a competitive ‘sport’, seeing who can plank in the most interesting places.”
Some might think she has a point. Planking has become a competition of sorts. Maybe one day it might even be possible to “out plank” someone.
When asked about her next planking on campus, Mustillo delightedly responded with “definitely on top of the digital sign by the tunnel right by the quad.”
It would be exciting to see her dream become a reality, hoping the MUPD wouldn’t intervene in her pursuit.
With that, not everyone at Monmouth finds planking as great as Alissa does. Harmony Bailey, another freshman here on campus, sees planking as “an activity that teens participate in when they have nothing better to do in their free time.”
Clearly not everyone feels this way and teens are not the only ones who have been planking. Despite this statement however, Bailey follows up saying that though she herself has never planked, she has friends who do.
“I guess it’s entertaining if you’re super bored,” Bailey states.
Ultimately, planking seems to be something of a humorous nature with no injury intended. There clearly are those that push their safety limits, but planking really is all in good fun.
For those who are serious about becoming regular plankers, any serious planking snapshots can be sent to plankingme@gmail.com, which is the official email of www.planking.me.
Plank on, MU.
PHOTO COURTESY of Brianne Pangaro
