First it was Planking, now it's Owling
First it was planking. Now it's Owling.
Facebook was two months ago taken by storm as young people resorted to planking - posing face down in unusual, often dangerous locations - and uploading their pictures on the internet.
The trend now is Owling, where young people post pictures of themselves squatting and staring into the distance, much like owls.
The craze has spread like wildfire from the US to Europe and Australia. No one knows where it started, but Dario Genovese, who has followed its spread, says Malta was among the first to catch on.
He said a facebook page on Owling which he and his friends had created was one of the first and preceded most overseas pages devoted to the new craze...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Owling-Malta/221311511241194
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
122 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Heike Jord Knip
Jul 20th 2011, 10:07
To be true this is already old news in western Europe new ones are leisurediving and coning. See the links for more information http://leisuredive.com/gallery.php and http://cone-ing.com/
Mr A Spiteri
Jul 20th 2011, 09:11
this is the actual proof of some study in the EU that Maltese youngsters are not using hash!
people tend to be less stupid when on drugs!
Mark-anthony Fenech
Jul 20th 2011, 01:16
Why so serious everyone?
Ms Francesca Abela
Jul 19th 2011, 23:01
They should get themselves a life!
I Bugeja
Jul 25th 2011, 00:19
Perhaps you should :) people who don't find this at least slightly funny are definitely a bore. What I can see is that it joins the social aspect to the social network aspect and considered it made news around the world I suggest to the Einsteins hereunder to reconsider the power youngsters and internet trends have on society!!! These are simple things but don't forget abroad what has been started from the internet and more specifically from facebook. :) PS keep in touch with times or you will become old dinos soon with little capabilities of making decent decisions on your own!!!
mark xuereb
Jul 19th 2011, 15:44
oh.. come on. who's onstrike now the public transport or the public convenience attendants !!!!!!!
Mr charles caruana
Jul 19th 2011, 14:35
No doubt they're imitating the owl of Minerva.
Mark-anthony Fenech
Jul 19th 2011, 14:18
Hmm there is a mass awareness of a certain avian variety...
Bird is the word!
O. Tretyak
Jul 19th 2011, 12:36
http://www.koreus.com/video/planking-fail.html
This is a proper Planking!
Samuel Zammit
Jul 19th 2011, 19:52
Epic Fail...
Mr Henry Mifsud
Jul 19th 2011, 11:32
and by the way, the Times readers please note that this article also caught the attention of the Chartered Institute of Marketing as they posted it on their facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/TheCIM
k abela
Jul 19th 2011, 11:24
One word, one feeling, one reaction: Jahasra!
I would redefine it as "Deficient 'ing" rather than "owl 'ing"!
Jason Borg
Jul 19th 2011, 12:20
Ħallihom ħa jieħdu gost. Alla ħares daż-żgħażagħ kellhom jirraġunaw bil-mentalita' ta' adulti. Kieku x'gost jibqa' fiha ż-żgħożija.
Christina Pace
Jul 19th 2011, 11:24
For those here who have complained about owling and the likes because it is useless and stupid, may I remind them that expecting yougsters to act like adults makes them more likely to drive a vehicle without a licence and insurance, consequently hit'n'running is more likely followed by possible injury, death and a jail sentence.
Yáll need to decide if you want these kids to grow up or stay young.
Granted this behaviour is not productive but neither is it counter productive. They enjoy it, that makes them happy. Let them be! We all did stupid things as young people, or did you all forget when smoking caught on cause it made you cool. You can't really call that productive.
Mr Henry Mifsud
Jul 19th 2011, 11:18
Imagination is more important than knowledge... Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
The follies which a man regrets most, in his life, are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. Helen Rowland (1876 - 1950), A Guide to Men, 1922
Owling is good for the brain only if you can imagine and basically young enough to commit a folly!
Oh how I admire our youth and yes I am quite confident that the future is bright as it will be in your hands.
Mrs Pauline Abela
Jul 19th 2011, 10:48
@ Leontine Mallia. I like your definition, Kokka, (noun) or qieghed 'kokka' (adjective). Past tense 'ikokki'.
Change the 'o' into an 'a', do it with friends in public (don't forget the pooper scooper) and there's a whole new craze guaranteed to get worldwide attention!
But hey, as far as I'm concerned, if they think it's fun - go for it!
Joe Scerri
Jul 19th 2011, 10:44
Geez, what a bunch of losers, and no I am not referring to people owling or planking but about all the negative comments. I am not interested in either of these trends, but are they harming anyone, causing any disruption or vandalism?
Let these young people have some harmless fun and get on with your life. All you do is moan and whine.
Mr Patrick Attard
Jul 19th 2011, 08:02
nice hobby. and can be practiced at bus stages now where loads of people have loads of time to spare.
Mr Mark Cassar
Jul 19th 2011, 07:25
I don't know if this is a case of laughing or crying......
Joseph W. Galea
Jul 19th 2011, 02:11
Just to think that the future is in the hands of these idiots.
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 19th 2011, 10:54
Still a relief from the idiots of the past
Ms B Cassar
Jul 19th 2011, 12:02
Jista xi hadd jghidli xi jridu jghidu biha? Jidhu li mghandhomx x'jaghmlu. Nahseb ahjar juzawh ahjar il-hin li ghandhom f'idejhom flok jinhlew fuq il-hmerijiet.
Cedric Mamo
Jul 21st 2011, 07:19
nuzaw il-hin ahjar? Vera haga bla sens din... imma b'daqshekk? Parti miz-zghozija mhux il-bluha jew? Gifieri skond int serjeta l-hin kollu ghandna nkunu ahna z-zghazagh? U wara kollox jekk hrigt ma shabi u ma nghamlux xi haga hekk just biex "ma naghmlux hmerijiet"... mhux xorta dak huwa hin ta' mistrieh fil-kumpanija ta shabi? Jigifieri ma hemmx mod ahjar kif tuza l-hin, specifikament ghax dak ikun hin il-bluha. Ikun hazin jekk tkun il-hin kollu hekk, imma intkom l-adulti dejjem ghallimtuna li jekk tqassam hinek sew, ha ssib hin ghal kollox ;) Hemm hin is-serjeta u hin il-kummiedji ux.
Bernard Cachia
Jul 19th 2011, 00:47
what amazes me the most is that this is actually considered to be a news item!
Mr Jeffrey Mallia
Jul 18th 2011, 22:19
I'll try it at work tomorrow, and see what my boss says :)......................I'de bet he'll join me !!
S Atkins
Jul 20th 2011, 08:56
Melodramatic much?
S Atkins
Jul 20th 2011, 10:57
Sorry, that was intended for Luke Spiteri below.
Luke Spiteri
Jul 18th 2011, 22:02
I completely lost faith in humanity after seeing this
Mr Simon Camilleri
Jul 18th 2011, 20:24
Harmless
Ms Eve Axiaq
Jul 18th 2011, 19:08
Ghal min ghandu l- hin x'jahli fil- vojt tajjeb hux. Bl-Arriva hekk sirna minghajr ma rridu, niccassaw mal- bus stops daqskemm indumu nistennew!
John Pace
Jul 18th 2011, 19:00
My my...now this is what I call talent!!!
Joe Degiorgio
Jul 18th 2011, 18:50
OK it's harmless. Granted.
But you have to admit that it's quite silly. Instead of engaging into something that stimulates the mind and body such as a sport, all one has to do is squat and stare in the distance. Very intelligent indeed.
Joseph J. Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 20:12
Presumably you spent your entire youth engaged in meaningful activities?
Joseph Farrugia
Jul 19th 2011, 00:02
Yes, Mr.Borg....yes I did, & I enjoyed every second.
(I'm not Mr. Degiorgio, but I'm speaking on my own behalf).
Presumably you didn't.
christopher mallia
Jul 19th 2011, 01:29
Im sorry passing from my A levels isn't enough enganging p.s. I also do sports ? Sorry if you are disappointed that I actually have a life over and above owling :) . This is a fun thing to do and engage with . Let it remain one .
Mr Kyle Boffa
Jul 19th 2011, 08:21
dude.. seriously. let people enjoy themselves without bothering whether it stimulates the body and mind.
Joe Degiorgio
Jul 19th 2011, 10:10
Actually I did and it has led me to a healthy life.
Please don't try and patronise me Mr. J. Borg
Steve Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 18:41
I wonder how many of these people owling ever saw a real living owl in Malta!!
Whats next...crabbing? Come on, find a decent hobby and don't waste your time on such silly things!
Stefan Micallef
Jul 18th 2011, 20:29
Whats wrong if they have fun,why some poeple must always impose things on others!
Steve Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 21:34
I'm not imposing anything...if they would like to continue let them be but its rather pointless, relax I just stated my opinion!
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 19th 2011, 01:11
Crabbing !! why not ? Now, that would surely offer some interesting possibilities of lateral movement !!
Mr James Tyrrell
Jul 18th 2011, 18:34
Just think how much better the world would be if these actually did something useful with their lives. Facebook is a big enough waste of time without pretending to be a bird!
Mr Giovanni Rizzo
Jul 18th 2011, 18:16
Do it only during closed season (tal-kacca) :-)
Gordon Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 17:51
passatemp sabih ta u trid teknika kbira ghaliha......................................morru ilbsu slipper u igru girja jew morru xi gym mela dal hmerijiet
Mr Aaron Vella
Jul 18th 2011, 21:27
For goodness sake its not a hobby, its just silly fun. But seriously this is dumb!
Glen Zammit
Jul 19th 2011, 01:14
dan il passatemp kull ma jiehu hu ftit sekondi u ma nahsibx li jtelliflek daqshekk hin biex ma taghmilx li qed tissugerixxi int...
Marvin Hili
Jul 18th 2011, 17:10
As Oscar Wilde once said, "It is a pity that youth is wasted on the young!"
Anthony Farrugia
Jul 18th 2011, 16:59
The new bored and nonsense generation in action... go get a life!
Melvin Tonna
Jul 18th 2011, 19:12
Yes Mr.Farrugia.
Looking at the above picture makes me worry. I almost lost the will to live to be honest. Qed ninkwieta fuq il-generazzjoni li tiela!
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 18th 2011, 16:57
NOboarding is next, skating without a skateboard
Lawrence Attard
Jul 18th 2011, 16:55
Hey, if they're having fun, and its not hurting anybody, let them go for it!
Mr Andrew Azzopardi
Jul 18th 2011, 16:10
idiots the lot of them
Mr martin chetcuti
Jul 18th 2011, 16:03
Owling in an intelligently designed ''Glasshouse'' Bus Stops that we have around waiting for ARRIVA during the heat of the day is a real challenge better try it at night like the Owls!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roberta Sciberras
Jul 18th 2011, 15:34
Reading the comments and adjectives here regarding an activity which is totally harmless reinforces my conviction that we have become a society of control freaks - judgemental and paranoid.
Lighten up for heaven's sake!
Christian Abela
Jul 18th 2011, 15:27
If this is the future of the world, might as well it ends in 2012. :-)
Stuart French
Jul 18th 2011, 15:24
you are only young ones, so enjoy the planking and a spot of owling, you might not like the next craze we are all into though, as next up comes a lifetime of work'ing!
Mr Joseph Micallef
Jul 18th 2011, 15:17
Just a word of caution to those who wish to participate in owling - remember you are in Malta - you risking to be shot!
Steve Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 15:20
Good one Joseph :)
Mrs Maya Fenech
Jul 18th 2011, 15:47
Lol
caroline zarre
Jul 18th 2011, 16:57
lol good one joseph
Ms Agnes Bezzina
Jul 18th 2011, 17:40
Excellent humour!!
Mr Ivan Calleja
Jul 18th 2011, 18:18
The most valid comment!!
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 19th 2011, 01:13
Some of the comments do seem to suggest that this danger does exist !!
Carlos Espinal
Jul 18th 2011, 15:17
You people need to spend more time on the Internets :P
Norbert Spiteri
Jul 18th 2011, 15:15
I would hate it if the after 'Owling' we get 'Mooning'
Mr Stephen Baldacchino
Jul 18th 2011, 15:23
That would be great LOL
Glen Zammit
Jul 19th 2011, 01:11
it depends on who does that though.... ;)
Mr T. A. Bartolo
Jul 18th 2011, 15:08
It's simply symptomatic of the collective neurosis which is being increasingly propagated by the culture industry. Ultimately we are being led to commit collective suicide - intellectually of course.
christopher mallia
Jul 18th 2011, 14:55
To all those who mock me and things that I like just because they do not understand todays youth . Instead of Vandalizing property or torturing animals [ such as inflating frogs or kicking around dogs and cats ] like yesterdays youth used to do , I favor hobbies that are harmless to anyone or anything around me . So enjoy this victim-less hobby why its still around . It may be aimless but it sure is a lot of fun !
Yours sincerely ,
Christopher Mallia , an Owling Malta Admin . :)
Mr Joseph Micallef
Jul 18th 2011, 15:34
As long as they are not shot at - its harmless :)
Mr J Galea
Jul 18th 2011, 16:29
Are you saying that this new owling idea must be a new mental cure to prevent and distract those who might be thinking of making vandalism, inflating frogs and even torturing animals?
If this is so ,these people need help urgently and without delay.
Francesca Sammut
Jul 20th 2011, 19:47
I agree with you a lot! Please continue with that wonderful attitude! We need more teenagers like you and your friends these days. As long as you don't bother anyone you can keep on doing it and have fun, It's a free country! Some people need to shut up and respect the society.
Best Regards,
Francesca Sammut
Mr A Cardona
Jul 18th 2011, 14:48
Such acts are so funny and harmless :-) If only the older generations resort to such stuff rather than wars and hypocrisy. What a wonderful world we would have.
Ms S Micallef
Jul 18th 2011, 18:03
they're not so funny really...planking was sort of funny, but we laughed at the joke let's all move on...owling is a bit stale now.
Denise Vella
Jul 18th 2011, 18:42
You have a point there. In Japan there's this craze involving grown adults meeting up for public laughter sessions to release tension.
A Camilleri
Jul 19th 2011, 09:56
I would love, if I could stay in that position without ending up in traction for a week. Mater Dei have enough to cope with lol
e ebejjer
Jul 18th 2011, 14:44
to complete the photo, all they need a toilet paper roll in their hand!!
Mark-anthony Fenech
Jul 18th 2011, 14:41
chill everyone, they're hurting no one, it's just a harmless bit of fun... most of you here seem to have a very stiff back...
Mr Mario Genovese
Jul 18th 2011, 14:39
Common everybody........we all did silly things when we were teenagers. These are the things which keep the young away from the complications they will face later on in life! Better than taking drugs or mugging people, is it?
Joseph Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 14:37
Oh my God! Is this the new generation activities our kids are taking part in?
What a mess!
Dario Genovese
Jul 18th 2011, 14:35
I know this may look crazy but I prefer teenagers doing these things instead of other bad habits... this is fun! .. I hope it will be published in the newspaper tomorrow so that I could purchase this memory :D :D ...
Mr Anthony Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 14:35
"...No one knows where it started, but Dario Genovese, who has followed its spread, says Malta was among the first to catch on."
No Malta was the first, not among the first, you see.
The current public transport saga (I will refrain from using the word Arriva becuase it's not their fault) made us like owls, silently, patiently waiting for a bus to appear! TM has reduced us to talking to ourselves and taking bits of paper notes to remember where to get off and on.
Owling started in Malta 2 weeks ago!
Suzana Bidemark
Jul 18th 2011, 14:28
My comment is: they want to be seen, needing attention and being very bored lol
Steve Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 14:27
First it was planking, now its owling
And next it will be ARRIVing, waiting for the Arriva Bus that never arrives on the bus stop, leaving you waiting in the sun. Wonder if anyone can organise a facebook page, lets get the new maltese ARRIVing craze up on the net too...LOL
Mr Brian Camilleri
Jul 18th 2011, 14:17
They are young, and yound people do stupid things. Its normal. If you haven't done stupid and crazy things when you where young, then you lived a very very boring life.
Neil Cutajar
Jul 18th 2011, 14:17
Haha cool. Let's owl!
Nik Xuereb Conti
Jul 18th 2011, 14:16
...so if one planking and the guy on top of him is owling ..
... would you called that Powling?
http://artsyspot.com/img/fun/owling-is-new-planking/owling-is-the-new-planking02.jpg
E Schembri
Jul 18th 2011, 14:14
Facebook is turning our youths in retards!
First, contrary to the efforts of the authorities, youths were dishing out their personal private information to the entire planet. Then came this useless trend of planking with many youths injuring themselves in the process. Now this retard pose.
What on earth is wrong with this generation? Too much time in front of computers? Or are they simply too bored living in their comfy lives with nothing to do and no responsibility to carry?
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 18th 2011, 16:56
They're just misunderstood, just like every other generation was.
Ms S Micallef
Jul 18th 2011, 17:35
i agree... everyone wants to be seen, and everyone craving attention. One needs to browse a couple of pages on facebook to realise how attention-seeking some people are.
Steve Mifsud
Jul 18th 2011, 14:12
It's just harmless fun by bored kids......would you rather them be mugging old ladies or stealing cars?
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Jul 18th 2011, 14:11
Some people lead very boring lives nowadays. I feel sorry for our youngsters.
Eric Camilleri
Jul 18th 2011, 14:06
Important - Not to be confused with the "Crapping" craze !
Mr R ferriggi
Jul 18th 2011, 14:03
can it get worse???!
Maria Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 14:02
Veru hawn min ma għandux x'jagħmel jidher u jien irrid naħdem sa 70 issa? Dan li qed iġib in-nuqqa ta' xogħol... jaraw f'hiex jinfexxu. Aħna jirtirana ta' 50 u jħalli liż-żagħżagħ jadħmu!!!
Mark-anthony Fenech
Jul 20th 2011, 01:15
għandek naqa dwejjaq Maria Zammit eh... ħallihom jieħdu gost, għala dinis-serjeta kollha?
Mr Andrea Gatt
Jul 18th 2011, 13:56
XEJN SEW !!!! LOL
A Camilleri
Jul 18th 2011, 13:55
I think they look hillarious and as long as no one gets hurt it's harmelss fun. At least when they are 'Owling' they are not beating someone up or mugging old ladies. Indians and African tribes people have sat in that position for centuties, if you get my meaning :)
Planking, now? That was stupid and dangerous.
Mr Joe Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 13:52
The future of our country rests in the very best of hands.
How stiupid can humanity get?!
Mr Joe Spiteri
Jul 18th 2011, 13:51
Trid ikollok intelligenza u kapacita 'above average' biex taghmel affarijiet bhal dawn!
Mr Neil Dent
Jul 18th 2011, 13:48
Some of those posting here REALLY need to lighten up! Planking, owling or whatever the next thing will be, it's just a bit of a laugh to raise a smile between online friends. We were ALL young once so why so stuffy and serious?
I'd just appeal for those participating to stay safe, as there have been a couple of tragic accidents that could easily have been avoided.
Ivan Camilleri
Jul 18th 2011, 13:47
Ara vera hawn min m'ghandux x'jaghmel f'din id-dinja.....
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
Jul 18th 2011, 13:43
Does owling and planking qualify as higher education meriting maintenance payments from parents?
Claire Bezzina
Jul 18th 2011, 13:37
planking was bad but kind of acceptable.......but owling ??? speechless.....
Mr Stephen Florian
Jul 18th 2011, 13:35
Next Trend after owling: In Malta people take pictures of themselves waiting for the Arriva bus (which never arriva) and they take a cuckoo clock with them ! It is known as Playing cuckoo on the bus stops!
Neil Cutajar
Jul 18th 2011, 14:16
please stop mentioning Arriva in every article! :O
Chris Pace
Jul 18th 2011, 14:21
haha tajba din
Albert Spiteri
Jul 18th 2011, 13:33
I would say they look more like "squatters" than "owlers". As far as I know "owlers" were 18th century smugglers of sheep or wool from England to France. This new generation of bright asses think they've come up with something new. It's as old as their great-great-great-great grandmother!
Pia Attard
Jul 18th 2011, 13:45
Mr Spiteri, this might come as a surprise to you, but sometimes, words can change their meaning.
Leontine Mallia
Jul 18th 2011, 14:54
"squatting" bil-Malti nghidu li dak li jkun joqghod " Kokka " litteralment Owling tigi! :)!! and this "new generation of bright asses" might actually be enjoying themselves, rather than calling the younger generation asses ;)!
Albert Spiteri
Jul 18th 2011, 17:56
@Leontine Mallia - The Maltese noun "KOKKA" translates into OWL in English.
Maybe you would want to mean TO OWL which in Maltese would be IKOKKI. Owling is the present progressive of the verb TO OWL. There is absolutely no connection between the Maltese KOKKA, and the English verb indicating “to sit in a squatting position”. On the other hand, monkeys squat, gaze and sometimes scratch behind their ears for an indefinite length of time. I suggest that if "SQUATTING" is not to your liking, maybe you wouldn’t mind considering MONKEYING, or maybe MONKEY-LIKE!
With respect to monkeys, I prefer calling those smart asses "squatters"!!
Mr Steve Sant
Jul 18th 2011, 13:31
The new craze sweeping the globe, MADNESS. Its very infectious so beware.
Mr J Galea
Jul 18th 2011, 13:27
My thought is that by looking at these photos & videos ,people doing this non-sense have some kind of a mental condition, and in a depression state.Maybe a psychiatrist kindly give us his view about such mental behavior.
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 18th 2011, 13:58
They're great!
Leontine Mallia
Jul 18th 2011, 14:51
It is sad to hear such comments. There is totally no harm in what they are doing, simply moving around taking photos. I wonder what you want us to do, because apparently every idea us youths come up with is a mental condition or depression. Great. Now we'll move on to drugs, is that what you want us to do???!!
I am not usually rebellious, but come on give us some space and let us enjoy ourselves in the siimplest way we can!!
Christina Pace
Jul 18th 2011, 15:10
I am not a psychiatrist but I think I know enough to know to answer you.
As far as mental conditions go, which are numerous and have varied symtoms, I wouldn't say these people either suffer from any nor do the people seeing these pictures. They are symply doing what young people should be doing...having fun doing stupid things before they have to grow up and become boring like us. It would only turn into a mental disorder if there was a compulsion to do it, or voices (hallucinations) telling them to do it, or going into way too dangerous situations to do it, etc.
As for your specifically mentioning depression state ( i believe you meant depressive state), I would remind you that people having fun together could not be further than defining depressive moods. Bored, probably but not depressed.
I would actually suggest you do something stupid for no reason once in a while. It is actually rather healthy for your sanity.
Ms G Schembri
Jul 18th 2011, 16:58
I totally agree with Karl, Leontine and Christina. I am not a young girl anymore, I'm well into my middle age, but when I see young people enjoying themselves without harming themselves or others, I smile and remember the good old days. Everyone should have good funny memories to go back to when times are tough, youngsters cheer me up, keep it up you are only young once. People who find fault with everything youths do are either sorry they are no longer young (green with envy) or were nerds and want the whold world to be like them.
Y Zammit
Jul 18th 2011, 13:18
Sometimes i wonder - what the hell is wrong with this world?
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 18th 2011, 13:51
The fact that some people just don't get it, thats all
Charles Borg
Jul 18th 2011, 13:15
Ara veru spiccat id-dinja !
Mr Karl Consiglio
Jul 18th 2011, 13:50
Yes but in a nice way
Mr Joseph Scicluna
Jul 18th 2011, 15:09
Yeah that!! What a load of nonsense.