If you're a social media aficionado, you undoubtedly remember the absurd yet amusing phenomenon known as planking. Originating in the early 2000s in Australia, this bizarre yet catchy trend involved lying face down, arms by your sides, resembling a wooden plank in unconventional public spaces. Yes, lying still in random locations was all it took to capture the human imagination and flood social media feeds with endless images of motionless people, from rooftops to park benches.
Imagine waking up one day, scrolling through your phone, and seeing friends and strangers alike, lying flat like stubborn kids refusing their daily chores. It might make you question society's priorities when the physical embodiment of boredom becomes the viral pursuit of the masses. But therein lies the brilliance—and perhaps the madness—of planking.
Each age has its own sources of entertainment. In the 1920s, people gathered to watch dancers try to set marathon records, and, fast-forward to the early 21st century, and we have a generation that finds amusement in lying still. Planking became a sensation around 2008, gaining global popularity when social media was already pervasive, turning anything even remotely amusing into a viral trend. Usually, cultural phenomena reflect societal values, but planking seemed to scream for attention without any focused value, other than racking up likes and retweets.
Critics might argue that planking reveals a superficial inclination towards imitation in social media culture: copy, capture, and upload. People took immense pride in their creative plank locations, a personal Everest that showcased ingenuity or simply insanity. The quest for plank perfection had some enthusiasts pushing boundaries, some dangerously so. Daredevils balanced on narrow ledges, while others tested gravity by suspending themselves over high places, all in search of a viral hit. The quest for a great plank picture was no joke. Some found risk-taking thrilling, while others merely saw foolishness wrapped in an internet challenge.
Of course, the media played its part in amplifying what was already a wildfire of ridiculous proportions. TV hosts, newspapers, and talk shows offered the coverage that planking enthusiasts craved. With mainstream media attention came a peculiar mix of validation and condemnation. Debates erupted over public safety, with planking banned outright in certain locations after tragic misadventures. If there's one thing history has taught us, it's that people will do anything for their 15 minutes of fame—or even a single like on social media.
While some saw planking as juvenile antics, others embraced its fun and spontaneity. This trend united different age groups, from the young college student pulling pranks to the older office worker finding a break from monotony. Despite its triviality, it bred a common bond: the joy of capturing and sharing an odd moment in time. Community through absurdity—that's one way to look at it.
Some suggest that social media is the great equalizer, a place where one's planking prowess could be celebrated without regard to socio-economic or political status. Yet, it's more like the great trivializer, where substantive issues frequently take a backseat to bizarre antics. Social media, after all, thrives on entertainment that bends or entirely breaks conventional norms.
And let's not forget the critics, always eager to bash popular trends for the sake of argument. Detractors claim planking embodies a generation adrift, more interested in likes than in tackling pressing societal issues or engaging in meaningful discourse. Instead of confronting big challenges, people dropped to the floor in an exaggerated freeze frame.
But sometimes, the exaggerated is what's needed—a break from the mundane routine, a silly indulgence that reminds us not to take life or its struggles too seriously. For every critic pointing fingers at the superficial, countless planking enthusiasts will point back and say, "Do you not see the joy here?"
Even so, like all fads, planking was eventually overshadowed by newer, shinier trends. Social media's unrelenting march ensures that each viral phenomenon enjoys only brief stints of fame. Yet, it's doubtful this will be the last time we see such a weird yet oddly entertaining social media fad.
In retrospect, planking was not just about lying still. It was a reaction, a playful middle finger to a world that's often entirely too chaotic. It served as a reminder, albeit a strange one, that humor can be found anywhere— even lying face-down on a city street.