A study published in October 2018 found that over 250 people died while taking a selfie since 2011.
The need to get a high-quality shot in exotic (and sometimes dangerous) locales is driving more and more tourists to put themselves at risk.
One Irish politician may have the solution, however: "selfie seats."
Jim Daly, the Irish Minister for Mental Health and Older People, proposed to the Irish National Tourism Development Authority that special chairs called "seflie seats" should be installed at photogenic points along some of the countries well-known landmarks.
Not only would having a convenient chair make taking selfies safer (one cannot stumble off a cliff while sitting), Daly also believes the chairs would function as an "innovative marketing tool."
He believes the seats would help guide tourists to the best places to take a picture of the "Cliffs of Moher, Old Head of Kinsale, Mizen Head, the Beacon in Baltimore, and Lough Hyne woods."
Daly told The Southern Star that the seats would help both tourists and officials.
"Families and individuals love taking photographs of themselves in areas of natural beauty. But often."
"It is almost impossible to find a steady location or to know where the best shot is. Tourists, being time sensitive, like to know where to go and what to do. They also like clear shots rather than grainy images on their social media and Instagram."
Daly believes tourists' experience could even be improved with some selfie seat hashtags.
"When it comes to a picture painting a thousand words, the selfie is a very effective marketing tool and we need to harness its potential more. This is a cost-free innovative proposal that will allow Ireland to present our best face to the world."
Many Twitter users thought the seats seemed a bit unnecessary.
Others, however, saw merit in the idea.
Say what you will about the selfie seats—all of these poor souls might have been saved a great deal of pain and embarrassment by a well-placed chair!
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