The past couple of years have seen the trend of the "selfie" grow. Anytime during the day, anywhere, people out and about can be seen taking photos of themselves and sharing 100% of their day to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram followers. Don't get me wrong, I indulge in the occasional Instagram photo and Facebook post, but I never understood the need to update, often random strangers on social media, what kind of latte I decided to drink or what kind of sushi I chose to eat. It seems with the discovery of the selfie and invention of the selfie stick, people have become more vain and vapid, thinking others care and need to keep up on their days minute-by-minute.

But honestly, how could the invention that lead to the "belfie" stick, or "butt selfie" stick be good for the world?

Isn't anyone else sick of walking down the street, minding your own business, when suddenly your road is blocked by a person, or group of people, who decided to stop and take a selfie? The selfie stick is an invention with absolutely no regard for others. In the day and age where narcissism and carelessness are at an all time high, the danger of allowing these devices to be used in crowded places is very real. The chaos caused by people bumping into each other and getting angry is a preventable problem. So preventable in fact, that I believe everywhere should follow the leads of Coachella, The Met, and MOMA (to name a few), in banning these devices from being used. People should be paying attention to their surroundings, not the angle on their photos.

I think the saddest realization of all is that inventions like the selfie stick are creating a false sense of reality. Sure, you went to Paris and took a photo of yourself with the Eiffel Tower, but did you really experience it? How many opportunities do we have in life to explore new places, be with loved ones, and visit world-class landmarks and museums? It's disappointing least that people today would rather take a selfie as "proof" they went somewhere, instead of enjoying the experience of actually being there. Inventions like the selfie-stick are making people less observant and aware, affecting their ability to make real memories. We don't need formal documentation, or "proof," of the things we've done in life, just enjoy them. So stop trying to find the perfect angle, put down the phone, go out, and simply live in the moment.