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The ongoing war against the scourge that are selfie sticks continues with Coachella and Lollapalooza banning the use of the very helpful device that lets you take selfies as if you were Mr. Fantastic.
The Associated Press reports there is one less thing you have to pack if you are planning to enjoy the music at Coachella in California or Lollapalooza in Chicago this year.
The report states, "The devices, which grasp cellphones to allow people to take pictures of themselves farther away from their faces, are banned at this summer's festivals in Indio, California, and Chicago. Coachella dismissed them as 'narsisstics' on a list of prohibited items."
If Coachella is concerned about narcissism, let's see if they ban the ongoing drivel that occurs when friends regale their pals with what lineups are better and why on Facebook the minute Coachella releases its schedule each year.
We are all happy you have time to care about who is playing at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, but you are hogging precious Facebook real estate better used for baby updates.
Now the festivals are just the latest entities to stick out their finger, shake their figurative heads and wag while declaring, "Not in here, buddy."
As the report reminds, and TravelPulse covered previously, New York museums as well as iconic global landmarks have banned the use of sticks that purport visitors actually asked a stranger to take their respective photo.
But they didn't. What they did instead was elongate a long stick and place their phone on the end. While people meandered around the amateur photo shoot they smiled and snapped off the perfect Instagram photo.
Well, your antics have culminated in the International shakedown of selfie sticks. We hope you are happy.
Wayne Fromm is the first to patent the selfie stick and agreed that there was a need for caution for organizers. He tells the AP, "Intentionally or not, there is a danger to other people in crowded places."
On the flip side, Jacqueline Verdier, who is the CEO of Selfie on a Stick, stated: "I think it's really doing a bit of disservice to the attendees. They're not going to be able to capture the same memories."
To which we might offer there was a time when people went to listen to the music and attempt, as much as the alcohol would allow, to remember the moment themselves.
However, we are not complete selfie-stick curmudgeons. There is an obvious role this device can play when walking amid gorgeous landscapes with nary a fellow traveler around.
In those cases you need some technological help to capture the moment. When you don't want to elongate a three-foot pole is around hundreds of revelers.
Now get on out there and have some debaucherous fun, just leave the selfie aid device at home.
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