‘Obnoxious’ selfie tool a Christmas hit
IT HAS been described as the ‘‘most obnoxious tool in the kit of digital narcissism’’ and could be coming to a Christmas stocking near you.
The selfie stick is here and is selling fast in the Christmas shopping rush this year.
The telescopic stick has a mount on the end for your camera or cellphone, allowing you to take a better self portrait, or selfie. The basic selfie stick relies on the camera’s timer but more expensive models have a remote control button on the handle.
It is a trend that started in Asia, swept through the United States this year and has arrived in New Zealand just in time for Christmas.
The craze has not always been welcome. The New York Post newspaper has dubbed it the ‘‘narcissistick’’, while The New York Times called it ‘‘the latest and most obnoxious tool in the kit of digital narcissism’’.
In Christchurch, camera shops have been selling dozens of the self-regarding gadgets.
Photo and Video International shop assistant Vince Benefield said they had sold about 100 selfie sticks in the past 10 days. The model they sell has a remote control button and costs $32.
‘‘Most of them have gone as stocking fillers,’’ he said. ‘‘They all end up in the hands of kids. They are a novelty product that is reasonably affordable. There is a practical use for them as opposed to many of the things people give as gifts.’’
Hanafins manager David Ellis said the product was fun, rather than ‘‘obnoxious’’.
‘‘It is just a fun thing. It is a craze at the moment, taking photographs of you and your mates having fun.’’