Selfies

Welcome to the next installment of Shit That Can Kill You Friday's!

This week.... Selfies!

I know what you might be thinking, "Charles, that's not an animal. Don't you have to do an animal?". You're correct, it is not an animal, but I make the rules here. And guess what! Selfies KILL people!

In 2015 more people died from taking selfies than were killed by sharks. But how can this be possible? Well, it makes perfect sense when you remember that young people are dumb. Really, really dumb. The things people do for profile pics or their next Instagram post. Standing wild animal adjacent, sitting on the edge of a cliff, even standing on train tracks with an incoming train in the back ground. Yikes.

You want some selfie death stats? Here you go. Since 2014, 49 people have died while taking a selfie. Of those 49, their average age was 21 and they were male. Surprising, i know, I too thought that most of them would be girls because girls are 87% more likely to take a selfie. I guess they're just better at it.

According to a study done at THE Ohio State University, men with strong selfie game score higher on the narcissistic and psychopathic scales meaning they are more likely to embrace danger for personal gains (Instagram likes). I'd just like to emphasize the danger to you and I. Young dudes in their 20's who rank on the "I love myself" scale. Check.

While doing the most Russian thing I may have ever read, two men were blown up while taking a selfie with a live hand grenade. See what I mean? It's just guys being dudes going too far for social media attention.

How dangerous are selfies? Apparently dangerous enough for India to declare "no selfie zones" where they warn people of the dangers of taking selfies in particular areas. These zones even have lifeguards.... LIFEGUARDS! People get paid to tell you not to take a selfie. Like paid with real money. Just wow. I like to think that these lifeguards get asked to take thousands of pictures for people. How have selfies become such a danger to our youth? It's all about attention. Kids these days crave social media attention like Jules craves tennis balls. Oh the things people do to get that perfect shot.

For your safety, please print and post the below image everywhere you can to warn people of the potential dangers of selfies. The image comes from a Russian selfie safety website. Thanks Putin!

Stay safe out there.

-- 

Charles R Mercer

Amateur Photographer