Why do I hate the "Mannequin Challenge" and similar video / photo fads?

[oftheherd]

I had to look it up, so here is the link for those as clueless as me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannequin_Challenge

That's one way not to get worked up... be oblivious!

I'm one too. Who knew?

 

[unixrevolution]

The only thing stupider than this whole Social Media business is........ummm.
There is nothing stupider.
And a far worse addiction than heroin or crack cocaine.
Truly the tools of the Devil.
Robert

Tools of the Devil? Really? People interacting with other people on the internet is somehow inherently evil?

Why are you on an internet forum?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYAuR5bkIlQ

 

[jsrockit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYAuR5bkIlQ

If I'm "out of touch" because I don't want to do an internet "challenge" or follow a trend... I'm ok with that.

 

[css9450]

I'd never heard of this fad until just a few minutes ago.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

If I'm "out of touch" because I don't want to do an internet "challenge" or follow a trend... I'm ok with that.

Me too. I'm not criticizing your lack of desire to participate. I'm not participating either. But the general level of embittered dismissal of youth culture in this thread is vexing to me. We should be delighted that people keep finding new uses for photography, even if they aren't our cup of tea.

It's fine not to embrace the new, but I feel as though, too often on this forum, people succumb to anger at, and condemnation of, new technologies and trends that they don't fully understand or that they feel threatened by. I'm not complaining specifically about you here.

This mannequin thing started with black teenagers in Florida; young African-Americans have also been extraordinarily inventive on Vine, which twitter is vowing to discontinue. They're grassroots cultural phenomena, pioneered by marginalized groups, that I think deserve some respect from experienced photographers.

 

[jsrockit]

Me too. I'm not criticizing your lack of desire to participate. I'm not participating either.

But the general level of embittered dismissal of youth culture in this thread is vexing to me. We should be delighted that people keep finding new uses for photography, even if they aren't our cup of tea.

Well, we have a lot of older people on this site and, let's face it, it's not site about cutting edge technology. 🙂

It's fine not to embrace the new, but I feel as though, too often on this forum, people succumb to anger at, and condemnation of, new technologies and trends that they don't fully understand or that they feel threatened by. I'm not complaining specifically about you here.

I believe I started the thread searching for answers about myself not the converse. I know people are just having fun.

This mannequin thing started with black teenagers in Florida; young African-Americans have also been extraordinarily inventive on Vine, which twitter is vowing to discontinue. They're grassroots cultural phenomena, pioneered by marginalized groups, that I think deserve some respect from experienced photographers.

Man, I feel this is taking it a bit too far. Just because a group is marginalized doesn't mean it is producing something that people have to embrace (based simply on them being marginalized). I'm not comfortable doing these types of things and it isn't about race, sexual orientation, gender, age, or anything else. It is simply about not liking to do stuff like this because my personality doesn't mesh with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

 

[uhoh7]

Of all the nasty things worthy of derision in this world, why this would bug you or anyone is beyond me. I think it's pretty funny.

But I must thank OP, because it's the first I heard of it 🙂

Except of course for Westworld, to which I am glued. Those freezes are pretty good, and what makes it more striking is the movement before and after. Filming is a bit better 2 🙂

Legions of young photographers now doing bizarre stuff while we are still trying to be Gary Winogrand. I don't exclude myself in the least. I don't pay alot of attention to them (though my daughter does) because I'm reminded of my advanced age and staid imagination, but it will all be over soon enough.

Meanwhile burdened with these handicaps, I need the absolute best lens set I can possibly afford. 😉

 

[jsrockit]

Of all the nasty things worthy of derision in this world, why this would bug you or anyone is beyond me. I think it's pretty funny.

The theme of the thread is WHY does it bug me. I'm obviously not alone here. I can tell you that I have no problem with young people and am old enough to know I'm not unique. I've just never been into this type of stuff.

Legions of young photographers now doing bizarre stuff while we are still trying to be Gary Winogrand.

I don't think those who do these challenges are motivated by photography or videography.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I spent four years teaching literature to high school and middle school kids in Indiana's largest public school district. It saddened me that 'youth culture' is very narrow-mindedly conformist. Being, looking, thinking, and acting different than the herd is not tolerated and deviation is punished by bullying that can be quite savage.

Me too. I'm not criticizing your lack of desire to participate. I'm not participating either. But the general level of embittered dismissal of youth culture in this thread is vexing to me. We should be delighted that people keep finding new uses for photography, even if they aren't our cup of tea.

It's fine not to embrace the new, but I feel as though, too often on this forum, people succumb to anger at, and condemnation of, new technologies and trends that they don't fully understand or that they feel threatened by. I'm not complaining specifically about you here.

This mannequin thing started with black teenagers in Florida; young African-Americans have also been extraordinarily inventive on Vine, which twitter is vowing to discontinue. They're grassroots cultural phenomena, pioneered by marginalized groups, that I think deserve some respect from experienced photographers.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Except of course for Westworld, to which I am glued.

I'm hooked on it too. And it's nicely shot!

 

[sara]

I've seen some examples that I thought were quite creative in their implementation.
Did I miss the twerking thread??

I think I'm someone who likes the mannequin challenge because of that!

Some people have been quite creative, and I think it's just entertaining/fun thing to watch before I sleep.

(secretly because I've also wanted to do this mannequin challenge thing)

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

The theme of the thread is WHY does it bug me. I'm obviously not alone here. I can tell you that I have no problem with young people and am old enough to know I'm not unique. I've just never been into this type of stuff.



I don't think those who do these challenges are motivated by photography or videography.

Move a little and it works. See James Nares.

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/street
Footage was recorded at 780 fps, Phantom Flex camera. https://www.abelcine.com/store/Phantom-Flex4K-Camera/

Chris, High school is always boring and conformist, it prepares you for moving somewhere else.

 

[FujiLove]

Probably because you're a mature adult. I can't be sure, but I'll bet you also have no interest in riding BMX bikes and collecting football stickers.

;-)

 

[Ko.Fe.]

This is how it works these days, after replying in this thread about been unaware and googling it, I'm was getting it in cookies or where it is stored and now internet pages including FB started to show it to me...