The mortal danger of selfies

**othar** · 07-31-2018, 04:25 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Interesting cause of death on a death certificate, "Dangerous Selfie." The issue clearly isn't the selfie, it is the desire to go into a dangerous situation (waterfall, cliff, etc) and then take your own photo. While taking the photo may increase the risk of the situation, clearly the question is more whether people are more prone to go into danger because of selfie culture. I don't know the answer to that.

Personally, I don't do selfies, but I don't think they are inherently dangerous either.

In my opinion the answer is yes, many people take far greater risks because of the selfie than they would otherwise.
Don't get me wrong I often see people when I am in the mountains who clearly don't belong there, independent from the selfie culture.
But when you are at a cliff or a mountain ridge enjoying the view it is not that dangerous as you might think, as long as you are aware of your surroundings (assuming it's a structural stable area), even going close to the edge is depending on the area a calculated risk you can take, but turning your back to the abyss and leaning backwards so your selfie will look better is plain stupidity directly related to the selfie.

Last edited by othar; 07-31-2018 at 04:31 AM.

**roberrl** · 07-31-2018, 04:30 AM - **2 Likes**

Seen on many railway stations in Japan ... smartphone picture

Sliver-Surfer · 07-31-2018, 04:58 AM

Originally posted by ffking

Yes - gunshot is an interesting one

"Nice phone you got there". Bang Bang takes phone. changes security settings while you are dying. Saves $40 to unlock phone at flea-market.

ntrao · 07-31-2018, 05:09 AM - **2 Likes**

Not surprised, India tops the list. There are many places in our country where selfies are banned. Went on a photography trek last weekend, at one of the highest scenic points, saw a group of teens (below 16) taking a selfie, where one boy is sitting on a iron fence while two are standing taking selfie. And you know, that is called suicide point on the hills. if that weak iron fence gives up, it is literally a free fall of over 150 metres to ground. Last, but not the least, it is raining at that time..

**othar** · 07-31-2018, 05:13 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sliver-Surfer

"Nice phone you got there". Bang Bang takes phone. changes security settings while you are dying. Saves $40 to unlock phone at flea-market.

While not a total unlikely scenario, I suspect those deaths wouldn't qualifiy for the selfie statistic.
I think some might think it looks cool to hold your empty gun to your head when taking the picture and the bullet simply travels faster than the realisation that the gun wasn't unloaded.

**UncleVanya** · 07-31-2018, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by othar

In my opinion the answer is yes, many people take far greater risks because of the selfie than they would otherwise.
Don't get me wrong I often see people when I am in the mountains who clearly don't belong there, independent from the selfie culture.
But when you are at a cliff or a mountain ridge enjoying the view it is not that dangerous as you might think, as long as you are aware of your surroundings (assuming it's a structural stable area), even going close to the edge is depending on the area a calculated risk you can take, but turning your back to the abyss and leaning backwards so your selfie will look better is plain stupidity directly related to the selfie.

I attended a talk at the Grand Canyon and during the talk they talked about who dies there; mostly male, mostly in their 20's, most of them pretending to fall as they take a selfie. How do they know, they look at the cameras (at the time smartphones were not as popular as now).

The advice they gave small children with young parents. Hold your parents hands, keep them safe. Typically kids don't die here (at that time it had been over 100 years since a child under the age of 12? maybe 16? had fallen. The kids are too smart to be that stupid.

DeadJohn · 07-31-2018, 07:43 AM

Overconfidence can be deadly. Fear, in moderate amounts, protects us.

**UncleVanya** · 07-31-2018, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

Overconfidence can be deadly. Fear, in moderate amounts, protects us.

Stress is a good motivator and fear is just another stressor. Agreed.

**clackers** · 07-31-2018, 04:12 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by othar

While not a total unlikely scenario, I suspect those deaths wouldn't qualifiy for the selfie statistic.
I think some might think it looks cool to hold your empty gun to your head when taking the picture and the bullet simply travels faster than the realisation that the gun wasn't unloaded.

I think a wife discovering the selfie of her husband and his mistress could lead to an addition to that gunshot stat months after the picture was taken!

**tncowdaddy** · 07-31-2018, 05:28 PM - **2 Likes**

8 by gunshot! Where are they taking these selfies?!?!

"Here's me by the Bank. Oh look there's a guy in a mask running out! Let's see if I can get one with him! Excuse me sir..."

PaysonAZTim · 07-31-2018, 06:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Neuse River Sailor

If this thread saves even a single Pentax Forum member from taking a selfie, it's worth it.

Nice.

DeadJohn · 07-31-2018, 09:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by tncowdaddy

8 by gunshot! Where are they taking these selfies?!?!
"Here's me by the Bank. Oh look there's a guy in a mask running out! Let's see if I can get one with him! Excuse me sir..."

People using guns as props during selfies. Here's one barely a week ago Update: Conroe Police say teen allegedly shot dead while playing with gun - Houston Chronicle

Jonathan Mac · 07-31-2018, 11:35 PM

I'm afraid this is simply natural selection hard at work culling the stupid.

stillshot2 · 08-01-2018, 03:36 PM

The person who got burned probably fell in to a hot pool at Yellowstone?

MJKoski · 08-10-2018, 02:20 AM - **1 Like**

07-31-2018, 05:13 AM - 2 Likes	#35
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by Sliver-Surfer "Nice phone you got there". Bang Bang takes phone. changes security settings while you are dying. Saves $40 to unlock phone at flea-market. While not a total unlikely scenario, I suspect those deaths wouldn't qualifiy for the selfie statistic. I think some might think it looks cool to hold your empty gun to your head when taking the picture and the bullet simply travels faster than the realisation that the gun wasn't unloaded. Last edited by othar; 07-31-2018 at 05:23 AM.

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07-31-2018, 04:25 AM	#31
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by Rondec Interesting cause of death on a death certificate, "Dangerous Selfie." The issue clearly isn't the selfie, it is the desire to go into a dangerous situation (waterfall, cliff, etc) and then take your own photo. While taking the photo may increase the risk of the situation, clearly the question is more whether people are more prone to go into danger because of selfie culture. I don't know the answer to that. Personally, I don't do selfies, but I don't think they are inherently dangerous either. In my opinion the answer is yes, many people take far greater risks because of the selfie than they would otherwise. Don't get me wrong I often see people when I am in the mountains who clearly don't belong there, independent from the selfie culture. But when you are at a cliff or a mountain ridge enjoying the view it is not that dangerous as you might think, as long as you are aware of your surroundings (assuming it's a structural stable area), even going close to the edge is depending on the area a calculated risk you can take, but turning your back to the abyss and leaning backwards so your selfie will look better is plain stupidity directly related to the selfie. Last edited by othar; 07-31-2018 at 04:31 AM.

07-31-2018, 04:58 AM	#33
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Originally posted by ffking Yes - gunshot is an interesting one "Nice phone you got there". Bang Bang takes phone. changes security settings while you are dying. Saves $40 to unlock phone at flea-market.

07-31-2018, 05:09 AM - 2 Likes	#34
ntrao Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: India Photos: Albums Posts: 384	Not surprised, India tops the list. There are many places in our country where selfies are banned. Went on a photography trek last weekend, at one of the highest scenic points, saw a group of teens (below 16) taking a selfie, where one boy is sitting on a iron fence while two are standing taking selfie. And you know, that is called suicide point on the hills. if that weak iron fence gives up, it is literally a free fall of over 150 metres to ground. Last, but not the least, it is raining at that time..

07-31-2018, 07:37 AM	#36
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by othar In my opinion the answer is yes, many people take far greater risks because of the selfie than they would otherwise. Don't get me wrong I often see people when I am in the mountains who clearly don't belong there, independent from the selfie culture. But when you are at a cliff or a mountain ridge enjoying the view it is not that dangerous as you might think, as long as you are aware of your surroundings (assuming it's a structural stable area), even going close to the edge is depending on the area a calculated risk you can take, but turning your back to the abyss and leaning backwards so your selfie will look better is plain stupidity directly related to the selfie. I attended a talk at the Grand Canyon and during the talk they talked about who dies there; mostly male, mostly in their 20's, most of them pretending to fall as they take a selfie. How do they know, they look at the cameras (at the time smartphones were not as popular as now). The advice they gave small children with young parents. Hold your parents hands, keep them safe. Typically kids don't die here (at that time it had been over 100 years since a child under the age of 12? maybe 16? had fallen. The kids are too smart to be that stupid.

07-31-2018, 07:43 AM	#37
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Overconfidence can be deadly. Fear, in moderate amounts, protects us.

07-31-2018, 08:34 AM	#38
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by DeadJohn Overconfidence can be deadly. Fear, in moderate amounts, protects us. Stress is a good motivator and fear is just another stressor. Agreed.

07-31-2018, 04:12 PM - 1 Like	#39
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by othar While not a total unlikely scenario, I suspect those deaths wouldn't qualifiy for the selfie statistic. I think some might think it looks cool to hold your empty gun to your head when taking the picture and the bullet simply travels faster than the realisation that the gun wasn't unloaded. I think a wife discovering the selfie of her husband and his mistress could lead to an addition to that gunshot stat months after the picture was taken!

07-31-2018, 05:28 PM - 2 Likes	#40
tncowdaddy Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bristol, Tennessee Posts: 369	8 by gunshot! Where are they taking these selfies?!?! "Here's me by the Bank. Oh look there's a guy in a mask running out! Let's see if I can get one with him! Excuse me sir..."

07-31-2018, 06:31 PM - 1 Like	#41
PaysonAZTim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: near Payson, Arizona Posts: 160	Originally posted by Neuse River Sailor If this thread saves even a single Pentax Forum member from taking a selfie, it's worth it. Nice.

07-31-2018, 09:53 PM - 1 Like	#42
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by tncowdaddy 8 by gunshot! Where are they taking these selfies?!?! "Here's me by the Bank. Oh look there's a guy in a mask running out! Let's see if I can get one with him! Excuse me sir..." People using guns as props during selfies. Here's one barely a week ago Update: Conroe Police say teen allegedly shot dead while playing with gun - Houston Chronicle

07-31-2018, 11:35 PM	#43
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	I'm afraid this is simply natural selection hard at work culling the stupid.

08-01-2018, 03:36 PM	#44
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	The person who got burned probably fell in to a hot pool at Yellowstone?

08-10-2018, 02:20 AM - 1 Like	#45
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784

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