Thursday, September 10, 2009

The latest internet craze: the Lying Down Game

Have you heard about the latest internet craze? Photos of people lying down in random places are posted on the social networking site Facebook. In my opinion, it's silly and ridiculous and a total waste of time. I can't imagine taking part myself but can see where the trend might appeal to bored teenagers or university students. I certainly would never expect this behavior from people while they are at work and especially not from health-care workers but unbelievably, it has occurred within the NHS: Seven NHS staff suspended over Facebook 'Lying Down Game' picturesSeven doctors and nurses have been suspended from duty at a hospital accident and emergency department after taking part in the latest internet craze: the Lying Down Game. (link via timesonline) What on earth were they thinking? They are supposed to be professionals. I am appalled. There is no excuse for their outrageous behavior while at work in a hospital. It makes me wonder about the future of society when doctors and nurses think it's okay to take part in a silly game like the Lying Down Game while they are at work. What do you think about the Lying Down Game? What do you think about this incident?

8 comments:

  1. I agree, it's just so mindless and stupid! xx

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  2. Hi Flighty - yep, I think that describes the "game" in a nutshell.

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  3. I actually thought this was a storm in a teacup, and that Mike had this nailed on his blog http://postcardsfromacrossthepond.blogspot.com/2009/09/state-of-nation.html

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  4. I disagree about it being a storm in a teacup. I don't think anyone should be participating in this "game" while they are at work. If they want to do it on their own time, I have no problem with that although I personally think it's a very silly waste of time.

    I will look at Mike's post about it now.

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  5. I agree with Mike's take: it's entirely harmless, and staff in this situation often have time on their hands waiting for something to happen. If it didn't affect patient care or cost the taxpayer any money, where exactly is the harm? Yes, they are supposed to be professionals - not robots. It's pointless, but also harmless: I see nothing remotely "outrageous" about it.

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  6. Well, you are entitled to your view about the incident however I still maintain that it is indeed outrageous behavior while at work in a hospital. Employees (particularly doctors and nurses!) are not supposed to be playing games while at work - and I don't think their foolish behavior should be excused because it didn't affect patient care or cost the taxpayer any money. That isn't the point at all. It's irresponsible for anyone to play games while at work and if they do, they deserve to be disciplined.

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  7. I agree with the idea of harmless fun. It may be socially unacceptable to do these things, and I would probably feel embarassed if my friends or close co-workers did these silly things around me, but what about "No harm done"? Why should these silly adults have to be punished if they aren't affecting, or hurting anybody for that matter? Since when was outrageous behavious illegal? These people went though school to become doctors and nurses. Does anybody think because they act silly, their achievments should be taken from them?

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  8. It may seem to be "harmless fun" but I still think that it's not the sort of behavior for anyone (particularly doctors and nurses!) to participate in while at work. If they want to do it on their own time, that's fine - but not at work.

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