# Yosemite Slam **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 31, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781 "2018-10-31T12:51:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/1 "2018-10-31T12:51:47Z")
There was this couple who was trying to make themselves Internet Famous by taking lots of travel photos, especially “daredevilly” ones standing near the edge of things–in one post they said: > [@](#): > > “A lot of us including yours truly is a fan of daredevilry attempts of standing at the edge of cliffs and skyscrapers, but did you know that wind gusts can be FATAL??? Is our life just worth one photo?” [So recently someone finds an unatteded camera on a tripod near a cliff in Yosemite.](https://www.thecut.com/2018/10/instagram-travel-couple-fell-to-their-death-taking-a-selfie.html)Rather than thinking “cool, free camera”, they contacted the authorities. The couple was layer found, 800 feet below. Somehow, I doubt that as they were plummeting down they were screaming “Wooooorth iiiiiiiit!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/2 "2018-10-31T13:03:03Z")
Hope they release the final shot on the camera! 😃 (Fucking idiots.) “layer found”? Did one land on top of the other and they compressed? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/3 "2018-10-31T13:27:02Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Somehow, I doubt that as they were plummeting down they were screaming “Wooooorth iiiiiiiit!!!” The article says that they had graduate degrees in science and engineering. So maybe they just wanted to experimentally check that the force of gravity really is 9.8 meters per second squared. (I would like to add a smiley, at the end of that sentence… but it’s just too sad) There are several places in Yosemite Park that have [signs](http://radified.com/HalfDome/uwilldie.htm) saying “if you go here, you will die”. I think the signs are in places that are deceptive–for example: a nice, cool stream, that is tempting for a tired hiker to wade in,and does not appear to be dangerous. And at the popular viewpoint at Glacier Point, there is wheelchair access with a guard rail on the cliff’s edge. The rail is specifically built at an angle, with no flat surface to sit or stand on. Because, yes, the park management knew that people would be stupid enough to climb on it–even though there is a 1-mile deep straight dropoff to the valley floor below. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/4 "2018-10-31T13:31:42Z")
The selfie has breathed life back into the Darwin Awards series. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/5 "2018-10-31T13:53:47Z")
Sad. They were a very good looking couple. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/6 "2018-10-31T16:01:01Z")
If you weren’t already aware of it, Wikipedia has a page on selfie deaths and injuries: > **[List of selfie-related injuries and deaths](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_selfie-related_injuries_and_deaths)** > > This is a list of serious injuries and deaths in which one or more subjects of a selfie were killed or injured before, during, or after taking a photo of themselves, with the accident at least in part attributed to taking the photo. > The United States Department of Transportation estimated that in 2014, the so-called "year of the selfie", 33,000 people were injured while driving and using a cell-phone in some fashion, which can include talking, listening, and "manual button/control actuation".... And yes, the page has already been updated. j ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/7 "2018-10-31T16:31:07Z")
[Non Sequitur on this.](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj61NMlG_34/V90Jes14kDI/AAAAAAAAXVM/FWERt89XisMHxMeRlviAZeYwRDndmF9NQCLcB/s640/nq160914.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/8 "2018-10-31T16:40:57Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > … there is a 1-mile deep straight dropoff to the valley floor below. More like 3200’ (so, about a kilometer). In any case, enough to make you unhappy if you were to slip and fall. And note that there’s ample access to [areas without railings](https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/mKj8XqpqBigqxRcOIqBSPQ/348s.jpg) at Glacier Point ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/9 "2018-10-31T16:42:23Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > …And note that there’s ample access to [areas without railings](https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/mKj8XqpqBigqxRcOIqBSPQ/348s.jpg) at Glacier Point Recently got back from Grand Canyon. As I understand it, stupidity takes a number of lives there regularly. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/10 "2018-10-31T17:11:53Z")
There is a new ad for Group Selfie Mode (I believe from Google) that really gives me the creeps. It shows various groups with a voiceover asking people to move or back up so that everyone can be in the picture. Some of the scenarios look like they are in dangerous places where you need to pay attention if you are moving. Every time I see it, I want to scream, “You’re being stupid and someone is going to get killed.” ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/11 "2018-10-31T17:23:30Z")
Those Instagram posts in that article made my head hurt. I can’t believe people actually post things like that with all the emojis and hashtags without being satirical. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/12 "2018-10-31T17:38:41Z")
Well, at least they’re not as stupid as people who try to take selfies with bears… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/13 "2018-10-31T17:46:08Z")
I’ve seen stupid shit like this in probably a dozen national parks. I have zero sympathy for idiots who ignore safety railings and other barricades/signage, and consequently suffer injury or death. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/14 "2018-10-31T18:01:15Z")
Gravity is a harsh mistress. As is hubris. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/15 "2018-10-31T18:32:57Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Well, at least they’re not as stupid as people who try to take selfies with bears… But they _are_ just as dead… ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/16 "2018-10-31T18:48:03Z")
Niagra falls has many warning signs as you get closer to it telling of the danger and to turn around. There is one sign near the edge that you cannot read as it faces the away from the falls. I was told it said “goodbye.” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/17 "2018-10-31T19:04:11Z")
I’d sure hate to be the rookie park ranger at Yosemite. “Guess who’s turn it is to scrape up the dead bodies!” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/18 "2018-10-31T19:08:30Z")
For those not familiar with Taft Point, here are a couple of pics I took a while back. Like many other viewpoints in Yosemite and the National Parks, there’s not much to keep people from going over the edge: [Taft Point](https://photos.app.goo.gl/iTnS4k1aXmK42ARV8) [Guard rail](https://photos.app.goo.gl/FbguiLM7wpcea7sLA) ---
**Author:** ![Reindeer\_Flotilla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reindeer_flotilla/32/3024_2.png) [@Reindeer\_Flotilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reindeer_Flotilla)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/19 "2018-10-31T19:41:00Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > If you weren’t already aware of it, Wikipedia has a page on selfie deaths and injuries: > [List of selfie-related injuries and deaths - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_selfie-related_injuries_and_deaths) > And yes, the page has already been updated. The selfie death listed for Yosemite a month ago happened at the top of Nevada Falls. We were keenly aware of that fact when replenishing our water supply shortly afterwards from the stream up there. The word we passed around the group in the event anyone dropped some equipment into the stream was to just let it go, it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781/20 "2018-11-01T19:47:36Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > If you weren’t already aware of it, Wikipedia has a page on selfie deaths and injuries: > > [List of selfie-related injuries and deaths - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_selfie-related_injuries_and_deaths) > > And yes, the page has already been updated. > > j Sad to see that a majority of these deaths are people ranging in ages 17-22. IDK if that’s because younger people are more likely to take selfies or that younger people tend to feel indestructible and take more risks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yosemite-slam/823781.md?page=2)