On June 24, passengers were stuck midway through the California Screamin' roller coaster at Disney's California Adventure after ride operators shut down the ride because a passenger pulled out a selfie stick. In response to this incident, Disney announced two days later that will be banning the use of selfie sticks in all of its theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, beginning June 30th.
Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty stated that "We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie-sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast."
I completely understand Disney's decision to ban selfie sticks in its parks for two reasons. The first reason is that someone could lose their selfie stick on a fast paced ride like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The second reason is that, if the person does lose their selfie stick, the stick could hit a mechanical component to a ride and the ride could do something to either strand or injure (or, even, kill) passengers. Why would someone want to risk his or her life or the lives of others just to take a really nice selfie?
People have responded to DIsney's decision (which also happened the same day The Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states, by the way) on Twitter and many of them are also agreeing with the ban.
Selfies have become the major phenomenon of photography for people, whether they are photography experts or novices. You can take a selfie just about anywhere in the world (from London to your bedroom) and at any time (whether you're ready to go to a formal or just got out of bed). I'll even admit that I've taken quite a few decent selfies myself, even at random times...
At the height of the selfie's success is the popularity of the selfie stick, a monopod used to take selfies on smartphones or cameras at high angles. The selfie stick is a way for users to get more creative with their selfies. But the stick itself has actually been around longer than you think.
The "first" selfie stick (known as the extender stick) was invented in the 1980's by Hirosha Ueda. It became patented in 1983, but was unfortunately not a commercial success. In the early 2000's. Canadian toy inventor Wayne Fromm developed the Quik Pod, a hand-held extendable selfie stick. Unlike Ueda, though, Fromm's "selfie stick" sold quite well, but other companies are also profiting by creating their own selfie stick knock-offs.
But it isn't just about making money off of it. Fromm states that the selfie-stick has become something "fun or useful or helpful to people" and is "happy that the world has embraced the selfie stick."
From total bust to national phenomenon, the selfie stick has become our generation's favorite toy. In fact, Time magazine placed the selfie stick as one of its "25 Best Inventions of 2014."
I know quite a few people who own selfie sticks and have run around playing with them, taking group selfies with friends at either parties, hang outs, or down times between classes. I was first introduced to the selfie stick when an acquaintance of mine brought it with her to one of the tapings of one of the shows at our campus television station. Immediately, the selfie frenzy began. One group selfie after another was taken on her phone with the device.
At first, I was amused by the selfie stick. It looked like something I could use for a meaningful purpose, like taking photos at a concert or capturing some really cool high angled shots of Lake Ontario at sunset. But after seeing it on so many different occasions where they weren't necessary, I grew to be very annoyed by the sight of it. Everywhere I went, there was the always the sight of a selfie stick. One time, I even saw a group of girls bring a selfie stick with them to the bathroom.
Every selfie you take does not have to require a selfie stick. You can take plenty of amazing selfies without using a device like that. In fact, using a selfie stick might even be considered dangerous in some situations.
Disney's theme parks aren't the only places where selfie sticks have been prohibited. Museums, such as all of the Smithsonian Museums and Galleries and The Museum of Modern Art in New York City; notable historical sites, such as the Roman Colosseum; and even music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza have all banned the use of selfie sticks because of safety precautions and view obstructions. You wouldn't want a giant stick to be blocking your great view at Coachella, now would you?
The next time you want to take a selfie with your selfie stick, ask yourself this: "Is this the right moment to whip out my selfie stick?" If you're at a party with your friends and want to take a group selfie, sure. If you're going to the bathroom to take a mirror selfie with it and then post it on Instagram with your description being some generic quote or are riding Space Mountain at Disney World, then no.
Think before you selfie.
