The "Fidget Spinner" Epidemic

[Taffy]

Anybody see those weird ball-bearing toys? They consist of 4 ball-bearings, one in the center and 3 arounf the outside.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, look it up on Google Images.

It started with one kid at my school who had one, then more bought some, and the epidemic began.

People will play with them in class. My peers like to spin them really fast and then touch things with them, sometimes that thing is my neck (doesn't hurt, but it's annoying). Teachers either ignore them or take them away. I occasionally ask them how many spinners they've confiscated, they say "None yet" or "I'm about to" or "Several."

These things drive me crazy, and they do the same to my teachers as seen above. While I want to get a couple of them, I don't want to actually USE them. I just want the bearings, they're actually very high-quality parts.

Now, I can think of SEVERAL better uses for ball-bearings (especially of this quality). They would make great bearings on scooter wheels and they would be good for making mechanical prototypes for various products.

Even then, the spinner is 4 freaking ball bearings in a cheap 3D-printed or injection-molded frame. 4 bearings? You just need one! And it doesn't even need to be in a plastic case!!!

 

[Stephano]

I honestly don't have a problem with them. The memes are funny but people are over reacting. I tutor a kid who has one and I thought they were cool.

 

[Kioku]

It's a nifty little fidget device. For sure. However, it shouldn't be a problem in class or at work. The school needs to set some rules for these. Some students may actually benefit from these fidget devices. However, most just want an excuse to play.

 

[invaderyoyo]

They're just plain old skateboard bearings. Just buy some at a skateshop.

Also, the bearings on the outside are there to give it momentum. More mass = more momentum.

 

[astrangeone]

I'm more of a fan of the fidget cubes (have an anxiety disorder). The fidget spinners are possibly distracting to other people, as they make high speed turns and humanity is hard wired to want to look at things in motion.

 

[Taffy]

While they are cool, it's the sheer mass-quantities I see that annoy me. And yes, they distract me because spinning.

I know that mass = momentum, but why not just have a solid plastic disk? Less distracting than a 3-prong star for the people around you.

 

[FAST6191]

I saw mention of them on the internet but had no idea we were once again experiencing an honest to goodness toy fad.

 

[RevPokemon]

Not a fan to be honest as I would rather just keep a pen on me since I can use it for more practical reasons.

 

[Deleted member 408979]

ooh so this is supposed to be for us weirdos that like messing with our hands ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

just crack your bones its not going to fucking kill you and youll terrify the people that think it does!

 

[Justinde75]

My Brother asked me to order one, so i'll see what they do

 

[Dionicio3]

Man, these are so dumb. Remember kendamas? This is basically the 2017 equivalent.

 

[invaderyoyo]

While they are cool, it's the sheer mass-quantities I see that annoy me. And yes, they distract me because spinning.

I know that mass = momentum, but why not just have a solid plastic disk? Less distracting than a 3-prong star for the people around you.

Plastic is less dense than metal.

 

[Veho]

I like to spin things, to the massive annoyance of my surroundings. I understand the attraction of a well-balanced, smooth spinning, dedicated spinny thingy, and I also completely understand how annoying it can get.

 

[mikey420]

Meh they are no worse than Pokemon cards were back when I was in school.

 

[Joe88]

Just another toy fad that will die out.
I don't think they should be allowed in classrooms, and by the looks of it most teachers are banning them since they are a distraction to other students, they are treating them as toys, doing tricks, and trying to show them off in the middle of class.

 

[Duo8]

These fidget toys are dumb and I'm glad they didn't catch on here.

 

[CannonFoddr]

Well I guess you won't like these then

 

[Plstic]

Probably the reason for all these fidget toys is people are growing up with media and shit constantly shoved in their face. My piano teacher says that the kids in her class will not sit still unless she's playing video.

 

[Deleted User]

I don't have one, but they do seem cool. At school it does feel like more of a play thing other then a fidget thing. THe fidget cubes on the other hand seem worthless to me.

 

[CitizenSnips]

I like them, and I might want to make my own