Selfie sticks

[fiamme red]

I've been seeing a lot of tourists walking around Manhattan in the last few weeks with "selfie sticks." I wonder what kind of carnage there will be when thousands of spectators stand by the side of the road waiting for the Tour riders to pass, with their cell phones at the end of three-foot sticks that can take a rider's eye out. :eek:

Great video of Nibali knocking a selfie-taking girl's cell phone out of her hand: http://gfycat.com/ImpassionedShamelessCapybara

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/01/05/business/05jpcarr/05jpcarr-articleLarge.jpg

[peanutgallery]

Started seeing them over this past summer. Another sign humans are doomed to extinction, the apocalypse is nigh

[Louis]

Kids, these days. Unbelievable.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LR4g-LTIlmU/TNotC-AUy5I/AAAAAAAAAZY/mX4tkHLDano/s320/grumpy-old-men.jpg

[zmudshark]

My cell phone only makes phone calls. Not even text, let alone selfies on a stick.

I'm good with that.

[Likes2ridefar]

Saw them in my market, Chelsea market, regularly last year, mostly Asian tourists, if not all.

I didn't think much about them until the recent article somewhere about them and now here.

I thought they were more for camera stability, like more portable tripods.

All I know is the tourists are really bugging me there. No longer can I eat my food and shop for ingredients in reasonable peace.

[Louis]

My cell phone only makes phone calls. Not even text, let alone selfies on a stick.

What is this "cell phone" device, of which you speak?

[tumbler]

These things were all over on my last vacation. People were standing in front of the most beautiful sights spinning in circles like idiots with these sticks. I have no problem with the occasional selfie, but when all of your photos are self-facing and from the end of a stick, there is something wrong with you.

[zmudshark]

What is this "cell phone" device, of which you speak?

Slightly smaller than my satellite phone.

I only use the satellite phone when on missions to countries I cannot name.

[cinema]

Must. Kill.

[William]

You know, I still have a few self stickies for sale...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=38629&highlight=stickies






;)
William

[jtakeda]

I see so many selfie sticks in SF, particularly in union square and around China town.

Whatever happened to asking someone to take a photo? I just try and get in every photo.

[cat6]

Selfie sticks are old news, selfie drones are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y41DhDwVVo

[Peter B]

Why don't you go beat yourself with that stick?

And get off my lawn, dammit!

[sevencyclist]

I wish I had came up with the idea and invented the selfie stick. Pretty nifty concept.

Many of us want to have a picture of ourselves at a beautiful place, or in front of a nice bike, whatever, but instead of asking someone else to take a picture, now we can do it ourselves. Nothing wrong with that.

However, need to pay attention to others and not be an intrusion. If taking only a few pictures, no more annoying than having someone else block traffic and take some posed picture. But if the picture taking becomes the only thing going on, then tourists are missing the point of being somewhere great and live in the moment.

Just my two cents.

[Peter B]

I guess I just see a little too much of this vibe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDbOmPQNx0) in the whole gen selfie thing.

[fuzzalow]

Selfie sticks? A device to enable self-portrait narcissism. One more cumulative element to a social media obsession that is insidiously undermining self worth. Man, if thinking as I do about this makes me out as grumpy-old-something-or-other, then I'd gladly let that freak flag fly.

[Pyramor]

Selfie sticks are old news, selfie drones are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y41DhDwVVo

What do you think the chances are that these or other drones will show up at races this year. These things could pose a real threat to racers, especially in the hands of idiots.

[leooooo]

I love it.

No more tourists asking me to take a photo of them in front of <insert anything>

Now they can take infinite pics without wasting my time

[Jgrooms]

Great rebranding. The sticks have been part of camera kit for sometime. Boy I wish I'd thought of the new name...boom...sales go through roof for same old thing.

Watched Rise of the Drones on PBS last night. First time someone comes in my yard with one I'm taking it out with small gauge bird shot. These things are going to be a problem on many levels for certain.

[malcolm]

Well let me say I took my first selfie a few months ago actually it was a couplie as my wife was with me, so I'm antiquated by definition.

I was recently at disney with the family and on one of the buses I watched this young very attractive woman go through a whole process of taking selfies, poses and smiles different positions looking at the phone/camera then looking away. The whole process took several minutes but clearly she had made it an art form. I couldn't help but watch and strangely felt bad for her it seems at least to me as the most self centered, self absorbed thing I had ever seen and while I don't know her my impression was the depth of this woman would have to be measured with a micrometer.

[Jgrooms]

Well let me say I took my first selfie a few months ago actually it was a couplie as my wife was with me, so I'm antiquated by definition.



I was recently at disney with the family and on one of the buses I watched this young very attractive woman go through a whole process of taking selfies, poses and smiles different positions looking at the phone/camera then looking away. The whole process took several minutes but clearly she had made it an art form. I couldn't help but watch and strangely felt bad for her it seems at least to me as the most self centered, self absorbed thing I had ever seen and while I don't know her my impression was the depth of this woman would have to be measured with a micrometer.


This is the way of the world for many. Face it, Facebook is a marketing page, so like all good pr gals/guys, they put a lot of effort into it. And its not isolated to a younger demo.

Unfortunately, for many, they lose any semblance of an authentic existence.

[malcolm]

This is the way of the world for many. Face it, Facebook is a marketing page, so like all good pr gals/guys, they put a lot of effort into it. And its not isolated to a younger demo.

Unfortunately, for many, they lose any semblance of an authentic existence.

Very true still makes me sad, seems like many are living a virtual life with virtual friends and I just can't fathom the drive to post the drivel of day to day existence like someone would be actually interested in it. I'm sure it's just that I'm old and don't get it.

[FlashUNC]

Seems appropriate. Winter and a lot of this going around lately:

https://41.media.tumblr.com/9ee9b418fa78ac64e33cae15f9181170/tumblr_mvic1wAc0j1rsus6so2_500.jpg

[Fishbike]

Selfie sticks? A device to enable self-portrait narcissism. One more cumulative element to a social media obsession that is insidiously undermining self worth. Man, if thinking as I do about this makes me out as grumpy-old-something-or-other, then I'd gladly let that freak flag fly.

This!

[konstantkarma]

Relevant: I'll just leave this here......

http://files.explosm.net/comics/Rob/selfie-stick2.gif

[unterhausen]

too bad the selfie has been ruined, I took one in the back of an F16 that I really like.

[redir]

I guess I just see a little too much of this vibe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDbOmPQNx0) in the whole gen selfie thing.

That's awesome. Makes me even love KD sooo much more.

But really that was great.

Narcissism is on the rise. It was my Nephews 17th birthday the other day and my sister, his mom, posted on Facebook that it was his birthday and that he's too cool to use Facebook anymore. There is hope for the next generation :D

[shovelhd]

Saw them in my market, Chelsea market, regularly last year, mostly Asian tourists, if not all.

I didn't think much about them until the recent article somewhere about them and now here.

I thought they were more for camera stability, like more portable tripods.

All I know is the tourists are really bugging me there. No longer can I eat my food and shop for ingredients in reasonable peace.

Love the fish market. You can have the rest.

[phcollard]

Selfie sticks? A device to enable self-portrait narcissism. One more cumulative element to a social media obsession that is insidiously undermining self worth. Man, if thinking as I do about this makes me out as grumpy-old-something-or-other, then I'd gladly let that freak flag fly.

My thoughts exactly!

I must be getting old. I find this selfie/social/like thing totally absurd.

I actually like it when people ask me to take a picture of them with their camera. Always a good excuse to exchange a few words and get to know new people. And they are always smiling :)

Nowadays everybody is obsessed with their phone and "social" media presence that's so ridiculous.

[Louis]

too bad the selfie has been ruined, I took one in the back of an F16 that I really like.

I hope you were pulling 9 g's at the time...

[shovelhd]

What do you think the chances are that these or other drones will show up at races this year. These things could pose a real threat to racers, especially in the hands of idiots.

They were at my races last year.

[vqdriver]

my niece has a selfie stick and we used it this holiday season. it was way better and infinitely more fun to take our own portrait with everyone in the picture rather than setting the timer and running back only to have one of the kids look the other way. repeat. lame.

having said that, there's no way i'd walk around with this thing on a trip. it's still more convenient to ask someone to take the shot. i think the people we see on the street with these are really into taking selfie shots in their day to day lives in general. more people probably own one that we never see use one in public. great for the shot, PITA to carry around all day.

as with most things, it'll flare big at first then die down as it finds its place. relax.

[Steve in SLO]

I actually like it when people ask me to take a picture of them with their camera. Always a good excuse to exchange a few words and get to know new people. And they are always smiling.

I am with you.
We were at Disneyland over the holidays, and saw a few selfie sticks, but still more people taking pictures of each other. The best feeling I got that day was when I saw an Italian family trying (and failing) to take a selfie with a DLSR in front of the Christmas tree. I walked over to them smiling and pointed to the camera, which the wife handed to me instantly and everybody in the family relaxed as I snapped a few shots. That made a quick, but warm connection all around.

[William]

Well, the one plus of a selfie-stick is that it would make a good impact weapon for self defense....that and a coin wallet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oMwErWi_vI) ;)

Just sayin'.








William

[Llewellyn]

Interesting responses here. There was a story on the ABC (Oz version) website the other day where someone was lamenting about the explosion in use of selfie sticks and almost all the comments were against the writers point of view, saying "what's the point of photo's without people in them, people will steal your phone if you give it to them to take a photo blah, blah, blah".

Personally, I can't stand the things, but it's quite amusing to see people so obsessed with taking selfies. And at least I don't feel self-conscious when I carry my DSLR around anymore.

[Cicli]

When I was young, selfie had a different meaning.

[MattTuck]

Get him to lead the peloton. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EmTz7EAYLrs#t=259)

[sg8357]

Well, the one plus of a selfie-stick is that it would make a good impact weapon for self defense.
William

Selfie stick, old school......
http://www.coldsteel.com/Sword-Canes.aspx

[ptourkin]

What do you think the chances are that these or other drones will show up at races this year. These things could pose a real threat to racers, especially in the hands of idiots.

Someone used a drone to shoot footage of our velodrome this year. It was amazing. They are able to stand off so that it isn't directly over the riders.

[cinema]

Selfie stick, old school......
http://www.coldsteel.com/Sword-Canes.aspx

that video is so ····ing great.

[gomango]

I guess I just see a little too much of this vibe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDbOmPQNx0) in the whole gen selfie thing.

I teach middle school math in the Twin Cities.

I see this every pickin' day of my life.

Just imagine 90 twelve year olds taking pictures of themselves every chance they get. The trick is keeping these things out of the classroom so I can actually get a word in edge wise.

[fuzzalow]

Just imagine 90 twelve year olds taking pictures of themselves every chance they get. The trick is keeping these things out of the classroom so I can actually get a word in edge wise.

I hear this and I am genuinely concerned for the dumbing down and devaluation of the breadth of social interaction and social consciousness in our up and coming generations. And do not think the older generation is free from the corrosion either as anything as addicting as self indulgence, narcissism and self preoccupation will always spill over to anyone else that succumbs to the rush and the instant gratification. And social networking companies like Facebook are more than happy to feed the addiction and fuel the illusion. Beware and be very afraid.

David Brooks of the NYTimes wrote a column piece on the shallowness of modern life and its threat to personal grounding and accomplishment: The Problem With Meaning (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/opinion/david-brooks-the-problem-with-meaning.html)

The piece has its flaws but some of his points are valid none the less - and it's not necessary to agree, it can be merely a gateway to encourage a reader to think. Parents are ultimately where the buck stops as far as their young'ns so recognizing the social network narcotic threat is already winning half the battle.

[Louis]

I guess I just see a little too much of this vibe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDbOmPQNx0) in the whole gen selfie thing.

Melancholia! The end is nigh... Not the most uplifting movie in the world.

You gotta pick your battles and what you're going to worry about. Other folks taking selfies isn't terribly high on my list of problems with the world today.

http://moviesididntget.com/wp-content/uploads/Exalt-melancholia.jpg

[Peter B]

Narcissi-sticks.

[Louis]

Has there ever been a generation that didn't think that all the generations that came after them were losers?

[Dead Man]

Has there ever been a generation that didn't think that all the generations that came after them were losers?

Has there ever been a generation that was wrong?

[Peter B]

Has there ever been a generation that didn't think that all the generations that came after them were losers?


Has there ever been a generation that was wrong?


Only the generation before mine :)

[William]

Selfie stick, old school......
http://www.coldsteel.com/Sword-Canes.aspx

I'm waiting for the frame pump sword from Cold Steel.;)







William

[happycampyer]

When I was young, selfie had a different meaning.

I suppose that would give a whole new meaning to "selfie stick."

[fiamme red]

Spurs and Arsenal ban selfie sticks (http://www.cnet.com/news/famous-soccer-clubs-ban-selfie-sticks/)

[fuzzalow]

Has there ever been a generation that didn't think that all the generations that came after them were losers?

No. I don't think the succeeding generations are losers at all. However and but, the conditions of the world they now face have changed greatly from that of my generation. Global competition in the university & workforce environments and the declining middle class to name just two. I am not suggesting the young adults of today not enjoy the benefits of the age that they live in but they would be crazy, stupid and naive to not know what they are competing against in the real world. And a vapid existence of selfies and trite, useless & meaningless "friends" in social networking is not the real world.

Staying connected has devolved into faux intimacy through the isolating conduit of a smart phone. Living in a bubble of self indulgence of just a zombie with his smartphone talking/texting to other zombies in their bubbles.

C'mon any phenomenon that washes over all cultures and societies with the rapidity and ease that cell phone use & social networking has is something powerful enough to be mindful and prudent about. In many ways it was falling for the temptation and belief that the smartphone would bring the world to its user whereas the real truth and real work involved was that a person must go out into the world and take it.

Hey, I don't like posting in threads as "that guy" but this kinda stuff is important to me so I gotta say what I wanna say. That's all for me on this one - see you at the next stop.

[Joel]

Damn near got taken out by a self absorbed couple who were "riding" their bikes on a mixed use path near here, and we're so busy watching the end of the stick that they swerved across the path right in front of me :eek:...I let them know in no uncertain terms that they should pay more attention to what is in front of them than to their own dang images...:butt:

And get the h#LL off my lawn