The "activity" -----if you want to call it that -----consists of lying down in public places.
You're walking through a crowded mall one innocent Saturday night when suddenly you see a young teen lying face down on a bench.
Your heart leaps as you sprint over, calling for help and asking the victim if they can hear you.
As a crowd begins to gather, the "victim" turns over, glaring up at you with a mixture of anger and confusion.
Looking over your shoulder, you see another teen holding a camera, also shooting the evil eye your way.
"We're just planking, man," he says.
Planking. It's a sensation that's swept the Internet sites, news reports and bored teenage minds of the world in the past few weeks.
Essentially, there are three steps to planking.
One: Find a cool/interesting/obscure/well-known spot.
Two: Lay on your stomach with arms at your sides at the aforementioned spot.
Three: Have a buddy take a picture of you "planking" and post it on the web.
Many of you are probably experienceing the same reaction I experienced when I first learned of this bizarre activity: A moment of awe, closely followed by "What the [expletive of choice]!?"
Despite this, planking has become increasingly widespread, and a wealth of pictures can be found on YouTube, blogs and various websites dedicated solely to this activity.
According to CNN.com, an English pair is taking credit for the creation of planking, which has been around for almost 10 years.
Orginally called The Lying Down Game, one commenter on the official Planking Facebook page wrote: "Planking is an extreme sport which requires years of constant training to perfect the complex technique."
Despite the tongue-in-cheek nature of this comment, planking does have its dangers. A 20-year-old Australian man fell to his death in May while planking on a seven-story balcony. Ironically, this news actually brought planking to the national consciousness and sparked the latest wave it has been riding.
Planking is an interesting social phenomenon that can be looked at from many angles.
On one hand, it can be seen as dangerous and menacing, encouraging people to risk their lives and trespass on private property. Dissenters have also stated that planking is a waste of time, with one California art student writing on Facebook: "Maybe we should start a craze about picking up litter."
However, those participating in the planking (plankers?) just see the activity as a harmless source of laughs and entertainment.
All in all, planking is just another ridiculous invention of the human mind. Sure, it's crazy. And maybe it is a waste of time. But the simple fun created by the activity is proof that no matter how much technology we have, life can always provide its own apps.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to plank on my bed.
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