Article by Cameron Spink

 

If you haven't heard about planking then you must be hiding under a rock. It is an internet phenomenon that was started in our very own country. In fact, this piece of post-touch down celebration is generally considered to be the first time planking had the limelight:

 

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Now, it goes without saying that this behaviour at times can be highly dangerous as a "planker" recklessly puts themselves in a situation where they could be seriously injured. Acton Beale lost his life last week while planking, Sam Newman planked on the balcony of his 40th storey apartment and two Santos workers planked on top of two 60 metre high smokestacks. For their actions both workers lost their jobs and police are increasingly concerned with the stupidity shown in light of Beale losing his life.

 

Both of these responses to planking are appropriate. While nearly everyone involved in practicing planking recognises, to some extent, how negligent they are acting towards their own health and occasionally towards other people, this has not curtailed the buzz sounding the fad. So, it is up to the authorities, be they work-related or state-sanctioned authorities, to stamp this behaviour out.

 

As well as the story about the Santos workers losing their jobs, another story regarding dangerous behaviour hit the tabloids today. This article speculates that within a decade smoking could be brought under a licencing scheme that both monitors and caps the amount of smokes one is able to consume in a day. Read the full article at The Age.

 

Now, I am of the opinion that smoking and planking are similar in a lot of ways. Both are behaviours which are chosen to be entered into by the participant, which give you a rush, may give you some social satisfaction, but invariably place you in serious danger. So, why are we responding to planking with such a firm hand but only really seeking to appease the tabacco industry in regards to fully banning cigarettes? Smoking has many more casualties than planking ever will. It is a stupid practice which only has adverse side-effects. Why are we content to merely limit this foolish practice?

 

Sure, people do have freedoms. But, it is a good thing when the authorities step in, like they have in regards to planking, with a message of no tolerance. Behaviours likely to result in malicious self-harm should not be included in our freedoms. Conducts like this are a blight on society, they are regrettable in hindsight and unbiblical. As Paul writes to Corinth:

 

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17