Yesterday, I had no idea what this was about. Leaving aside the sad events of a drunk falling off a building in Brisbane, this does not seem so dangerous when you are drunk and with your mates. I just do not believe that stopping planking is going to stop drunk fools from killing themselves. Easy to stereotype, but I can assure you that I have never done this before, even when drunk. I survived, but there goes others.
I speak as someone, who should be dead due to other activities done when drunk such as driving, mountain climbing, walking, kayaking, diving, skiing, scuba diving, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, being over fifty, being severely depressed. I could go on.
No excuses. I have given up many of those things, most significantly, driving. I understand now, that I was risking and endangering other people. That is not acceptable. Risking yourself is your own choice, although it will have very significant impacts on other people including your family and friends.
Do we appeal to Tony Abbott to Stop the Planking? No we must take responsibility and politely advise young people that there are some risks associated with getting drunk and doing stuff.
The reality is that many of these personal stunts are great candidates for the Darwin Awards. Is that the way you want to be remembered?
