News From Elsewhere

Russia: Selfie stick users get self-defence classes

Russians(1) who use selfie sticks to take photographs of themselves(2) are being offered a self-defence course(1) in case they are mugged(3), it's been reported.(4)

The act of flaunting an expensive smartphone on the end of a stick can mark somebody out as a tourist,(5) turning them into a target for robbery,(6) and that's why one martial arts centre in Moscow has decided to act,(7) the Lenta news portal says.(8) Daria Lapshina of the M-Profi martial arts centre in the Russian capital told the M24 website(9) that tourists have been the target for attacks in many countries (10)"and the only means of defence that all travellers have(11) is the selfie stick". Calling the new self-defence "art" mpd-fight (monopod fight),(12) the organisers claim that it is effective against practitioners of boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts(13) and other types of fighting, and can be learned in five lessons(14), M24 reports.(15)

The selfie stick - a handheld extension pole(16) which allows users to take a photo of themselves from greater than arm's length(17) - has become a bone of contention at tourist attractions around the world(18). In July, Disney banned the devices from its parks around the world(19), citing "safety concerns"(20), while football grounds and sports arenas prohibit them as they could be a nuisance to other visitors(21). It's not known(22) if proponents of mpd-fight will be able to use their skills in places(23) where the sticks are banned.(24)

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    My Comment on This News:

                 I find this news very interesting. I had never thought that selfie sticks would be a problem for people especially who are tourists before I read this news on BBC. It is mentioned that if people are taken a photo with a selfie stick outside, it becomes easier for robbers, muggers or pickpockets to rob them, because it may be thought that these people are tourists. Well, I think it is a good point that I agree with. And yes, it is true that people love to take photos of themselves with their friends, families etc. with the selfie stick, thus, many people have selfie stick. However, there is a risk of being robbed. That is why, taking a monopod fight class, using the selfie stick to hit or hurt the robbers, which is suggested by one martial art centre in Moscow maybe a good solution to protect us from getting burgled . I think it is much safer than wrestling or boxing with the burglars. At the same time, this suggestion is very creative, and maybe useful. It is also surprising that the monopod fight class is comprised of 5 lessons. I mean it is surprising because it can be deduced that how big the problem people have stemming from their being recognized as a tourist due to the selfie stick they use, or stemming from being just a tourist.