Selfie sticks: we love them or we hate them, but one thing is certain: many places and events view them as a nuisance and have started banning them from their events and premises.
Today, Comic-Con International joined the ranks of selfie stick haters, by announcing a ban on selfie sticks, along with a ban that covers other similar technology.
"We know you want that perfect photo of yourself and the gang at Comic-Con and your arms just aren't long enough, but please be aware that selfie sticks, GoPro poles, or any device that extends your camera or phone away from your hand, are not allowed at Comic-Con," writes Comic-Con International on its blog. "With so many people in attendance, protruding cameras or phones sticking up in the air are a definite hazard."
This covers everyone within the convention center and any of the programming and event rooms. It also covers the area outside of the convention center, so if you thought you'd be safe there, think again. In fact, the ban prevents selfie sticks pretty much everywhere associated with the con, including the official convention hotels.
Don't know what a selfie stick is? It's a long retractable pole that attaches to your smartphone so that you can take better pictures of yourself and your background. Prices for the device run anywhere from $10 to $30, meaning they're affordable for anyone wanting to snap photos of themselves at any time.
Selfie sticks have become quite popular with travelers and con-goers, but due to their nature, they have often proved hazardous. Thanks to this, many places and events have recently put a stop to their usage. Both the Coachella and Lollapalooza music festivals recently banned the devices, and Walt Disney World recently banned the use of selfie sticks on rides.
Selfie sticks are such a nuisance in South Korea that the country banned them completely within its borders last year.
So how will San Diego Comic Con attendees survive a selfie stick-less event? Here's one suggestion: hand your camera or phone to someone and ask them to take a photo. It's a pretty simple solution and something everyone did in the days before we knew what a selfie stick was.
Comic-Con International also posted its rules governing Google Glass and its ban of live-streaming events at San Diego Comic Con. The con also does not allow smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping devices, and has a ban on drones and flying devices.
Photo Credit: Marco Verch | Flickr
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