If you have your head plugged in at all to the tech-connected world we live in you might have come across something called ‘planking’ in the last few days.  This has become the latest pastime of a nation and the world. 

The glitterati have taken to it and social media is abuzz with planking, but what is it?  All you need to do is lie down on your stomach, keep your limbs straight to your body to resemble a plank, and snap a picture.  Planking cred is awarded for completing the activity in unusual places. 

No location is safe from this activity.  People have been photographed around famous landmarks, public service vehicles, and even a toll booth in the planking position. 

As many things gain popularity, the origins of it come into question and debate.  Conflicting beginnings place planking first occurring anywhere from England to Australia. 

One such story has it starting off as the “lying down game” in 1997 among two school friends in England.  In Australia, a man claims he invented planking three years ago after friends had started doing the “worm” dance in a bar. 

The hobby that is sweeping the world already has passionate disputes about its history, unbelievable. 

Celebrities have also taken a liking to the game which has in turn fueled the average Joe’s obsession with it.  Athletes in particular find this way to spend their days amusing.  Shown in the picture above, Orlando Magic stars Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas are engaged in a planking war. 

Rappers and even Justin Bieber has gotten into the act.  Fans have started calling out their favorite stars on Twitter and elsewhere urging them to join the planking craze. 

Things aren’t all fun and games though.  Planking has led to arrests and even deaths.  One man recently died falling off of a balcony while trying to plank.  The incident in Brisbane drew cautionary commentary on planking from Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard. 

Despite the isolated incidents, planking continues to grow in popularity for the time being. 

How long will planking be with us?  No one knows so get out there and plank away. 

Follow Carson on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/caingle