Why Put Your Life At Risk?

[marval]

I have never really understood this craze for selfies, It doesn't bother me, if people want to do them alright. But to endanger yourself in the process, that to me is sheer stupidity.

http://news.sky.com/story/1576319/death-warning-over-railway-track-selfies

[andy-hughes]

You can never underestimate the stupidity of the human race.

The 'selfie' craze is another example of a technology / stupidity interface - with predictable results.

[naomi24]

It's never going to happen to you - until it does.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - //It's never going to happen to you - until it does. //

A fair point - but falling off a tall building or getting hit by a train because I am taking photos of myself is never going to happen, because I don't subscribe to the faintly odd notion of taking my own picture!

[Baldric]

Candidates for a Darwin Award imo!

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, neither do I, but then I think pot-holing is potty - and climbing dangerous mountains.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - //andy-hughes, neither do I, but then I think pot-holing is potty - and climbing dangerous mountains. //

Well those activities I can understand - but the entire motion of 'selfies' eludes me - regardless of whether or not you risk your life to take one.

Is our society becoming more narcissistic - and is this a facet of that?

[Booldawg]

online popularity is unfortunately a sign of the times.

[andy-hughes]

Booldawg - //online popularity is unfortunately a sign of the times. //

This is where modern culture and I part company - I am indifferent to the opinions of people I know, with the usual exceptions - so why would I care about 'friends' (a misnomer if ever there was one!) on the Internet!

[AlwaysConfused]

Selfies rile me. Just screams out a lonely life. Then after checking photo 20 times to check onself is looking marvellous, post 17th shot to facebook 'LOL, so i'm having an amazing time!!! #lovemyself # dontlookatmyphotoilookcrap # lovemytroutpoutaanddrawnoneyebrows

People do odd things for the camera.

[tamborine]

If you want to be dinner to a crock or shark, go for it but NOT if someone has to hose you away.

[jd_1984]

Extreme selfie = trying to accomplish the attention they crave.
The more extreme, the more chance people will comment on and share your photo. Its already getting out of hand, I worry where it will go next?

[Sammy48]

It's like keep changing the profile photo on your FB page. I agree sad lonely life of a selfie ( that could be a film) lol lol.

There is a sad old cow that used to come on here, she has numerous photos of herself at parties, holidays, girls weekends away and shopping trips etc. on her FB page, all completely zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[andy-hughes]

Is it a wider extension of the behaviour of some people in the pub. or at parties, who have to laugh louder and longer than anyone else to convince everyone (and themselves!) that they are having a really good time?

[New Judge]

“It's never going to happen to you - until it does.”

It’s never going to happen to me, naomi, because I cannot imagine any circumstances under which I would take a photograph of myself, whether in a dangerous situation or otherwise.

I’m with Andy here. There seem to be huge numbers of people around who simply cannot enjoy an occasion or an event unless they take photographs of it (usually with themselves in shot) to post somewhere online. Just what is wrong with these people (and I ask that question because I believe their behaviour in some circumstances seems to be bordering on a mental illness). People seem unable to move without the use of some sort of technology.

I was in a lovely quaint Italian restaurant on Saturday (fortunately the chef/proprietor accepts the shortcomings of Italian fayre and has other, more imaginative food on his menu). As we arrived, a couple (not young) were seated near the door. The lady was on the phone, her partner was staring into space, obviously feeling left out. “We’re in the Italian at the moment so I thought I'd give you a ring”. There then followed a load of drivel of no interest to anybody (probably including the person on the other end of the call). Then “Yeah, it’s lovely here. Tell you what, I’ll send you a picture of me and Bob. Bob, BOB”. Bob was aroused from his daydream. A “selfie” was taken and sent immediately. A further five minutes of drivel followed (she and Bob had just returned from Cyprus where the weather had been gorgeous and where Bob had spent most of his time propping up the bar. The flight home was a disgrace; the hotel was lovely but the food wasn’t up to much; her mother was ill upon their return; they might go again but not to the same hotel; they’re going to Grand Canaria in the New Year). By the time all this had finished Bob had managed to get some mobile reception and was conducting his own affairs.

Just what is wrong with these people??? Rant over. Sorry for hijacking your question, marval !!! :-)

[Old_Geezer]

I saw the thread title in 'Latest Posts' and thought this was about cyclists.

[AliceTickband]

if they want to risk their own lives like this then it just shows how selfish, stupid etc that they are.

If they try to get out of the way of a train and cannot they will expect the NHS to foot the bill if they survive and what about the train driver?

[tamborine]

NJ, your earwigging must have driven your guest to distraction

[naomi24]

NJ, //“It's never going to happen to you - until it does.” //

That was in response to the question. "Why put your life at risk?" In short, regardless of what we do, we never think the worst will happen to us.

[jno]

so none of these dangerous selfish lunatics... was actually in any danger whatever?

Perhaps their assessment of risk was better than people give them credit for?

[youngmafbog]

The selfie is all part of the culture of the me me me generation so I guess most of us wont get it. Couple that with the tools of the Devil and you have a recipe for disaster.