The fidget spinner
Part two of my Toastmasters adventure has been postponed for a week.
I am sorry if some of you have been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for it (I don’t actually believe that any of you are doing that, but I just wanted you to know that I didn’t forget where I left off last week. I did forget some other things, but that wasn’t one of them). In any event, I wanted to use my column to discuss the newest phenomenon. I apologize if I am late to the game. I usually am. I usually find out about the latest trend when it has made its way to the shelves of Amazing Savings. Tickle Me Elmo was just as adorable when it was 60 percent off. But the trend I would like to discuss is the fidget spinner.
What is a fidget spinner? It is the triangular-shaped object that has been popping up all over the place. It isn’t electronic, it doesn’t require batteries, it doesn’t even require the ability to think. It just is a thing. A toy? Not really. An educational aid? Nope. What is it? Rumor has it that the woman who invented the spinner did it for the Arab children who were throwing rocks at the Israelis. Is this true? I have no idea. It was on the internet. This article also said that the woman’s patent for the fidget spinner expired about 10 years ago, so this resurgence is not benefiting her financially. Is this true? I have no idea.
Here is what I do know. Almost every kid has one, and they have been banned from some local elementary schools. The teachers have had it. All of these kids sitting in class, spinning their spinners when they should be paying attention. Very bad. One sixth grader told me that some kids in her class learned how to take the spinner apart so that when they spin it, it makes noise. That is unacceptable. If only these kids would use their intellect for good instead of evil..
Apparently the goal of the fidget spinner is to help an anxious individual calm down because of its movement. I would also assume that it helps with dexterity. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine (yes, a Facebook friend) advertised that her son was making monogrammed spinners. I am all about the monogram (since my name is so unusual, I never found it on anything…go figure). I ordered three of them for my children. To my surprise, they were happy to get them as pre-Passover gifts. After I recovered from the initial shock of them actually liking something that I got them (and it did take a while to get over the shock) I asked them what the big deal was about these fidget spinners. They didn’t know. But everyone has one.
Thank God they aren’t expensive. In my house, husband #1 is always happy when we escape giving in to the latest gadget and gizmo that “every” kid has. Smart phones before they can count, iPads before they can read. Fidget spinners bring us back to a simpler time. A time when playing hopscotch in the school yard was all the rage. (For those of you who don’t know what hopscotch is, you are really missing out.) They are a simple design, and you don’t have to sell an organ to pay for one.
Last week, I was in Walgreen’s attempting to buy son #1 something he asked for. (For the record, Walgreens was the second attempt at getting his request correct. Don’t ask. Boy moms just do what they are told and smile.) I noticed a display of brightly colored fidget spinners. I bought one. I just had to. It was pretty, and when you live in an all-boys dormitory, you don’t have many pretty things. Practical, yes. Pretty, not so much. I even brought my fidget spinner to a bar mitzvah. I don’t go out much, so I was a little anxious about the whole thing and I have got to say that spinner really did work. And, all of the cool kids wanted to come and try it (and I am not making that up…).
In conclusion, I totally understand why a school would ban these things from class. It isn’t a gun, but it is close to a Rubik’s Cube (ahh, remember those? I could only get two sides). I could see how it could be really annoying. But I am just happy that they are a trend that doesn’t hurt when you step on them (like legos or crazy bones), they don’t require a Ph.D. (like anything that has an apple on it) and that you can buy one at your local supermarket.
Sometimes simple is better.
Banji Ganchrow can usually be found walking the track at Votee Park. She would like to commend the town on what a great job they did this winter keeping it snow-free. Now she can be found walking with her fidget spinner…
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