Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Hong Kong Marathon Is Banning Selfies

"Organizers behind the Hong Kong Marathon are so annoyed with your vain selfies that they’ve decided to ban them at future events. The restriction is a result of a runner pile-up during last year’s event when a woman stopped at the beginning of the race to take a picture of herself, which triggered a domino-like effect as other participants crashed into her."
So, sick of that nonsense, organizers said Tuesday that they have banned runners from using cell phones at next year’s event.
Marathon chairman William Ko said the ban is meant to remind people that using a cell phone while simultaneously running several miles is not the smartest idea:
“What we’ve been trying to do is to get the message across to take care of yourself and to take care of other runners,” said Mr. Ko. “For the race itself we will have officials to hold some message boards to remind people not to take photos at the start, on the route or at the finish because it is dangerous.”
"In August 2013, the term selfie also made its debut in Oxford Dictionaries Online's quarterly update where it is defined as "a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website."

BetaBeat , Jakarta Globe


Places not to Selfie

11 comments:

Michael Haz said...

Short people take elfies.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

A few days ago, I was walking on the sidewalk when coming towards me, from the opposite direction, one of two teenage girls extends her arm, phone in hand. Believing she is about to take my picture I try to evade the shot, making a zig to the right, like when Bush ducked the shoe in Iraq.

The girls pass by hardly containing their laughter.

Little did I know.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

I hate all forms of traffic jams, so I am good with this.

William said...

That warning goes double for runners in the sprint events, and gymnasts shouldn't even think about it--although it make make for an interesting photographic contest.

KCFleming said...

Girls making duck lips selfies should be subject to fines.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The selfie prank is the teen new thing.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

One of the nice things about going to college and grad school is meeting foreign students and learning that some of them are quite dim.

Icepick said...

NO selfies in Hong Kong? Are the massage parlors not getting enough business?

Icepick said...

That warning goes double for runners in the sprint events, and gymnasts shouldn't even think about it--although it make make for an interesting photographic contest.

Afix GoPros to their heads.

ndspinelli said...

I watched Olbermann for the first time last night. He did a pretentious bit on this topic. Man, could you imagine having to work w/ that asshole?

Methadras said...

Pogo said...

Girls making duck lips selfies should be subject to fines.


And possibly a punch in the face.