The story that I chose to read through is called “The Deadly Waterfall in the Instagram Age.” The last four people that died at Kaaterskill Falls died while taking or posing for pictures. The state is taking measures to make the site safer because of these incidents. For example, the state added warning signs, new stairways, new fencing, hand railing, and so on, in an effort to make the waterfall more safe for tourists.
Spinoff story ideas:
- A story detailing the different accidents people have been in while trying to follow social media trends or trying to get the perfect “Insta worthy” moment. (Ex: a girl got hit by a car trying to do the Keke challenge)
- Interview nature photographers who have accounts of getting hurt on the job or know of somebody that has died while trying to get the perfect shot.
- Interview the public about the “Instagram Age” and their take on it. Is it dangerous, narcissistic, stupid..?
- How do locals feel about the deaths at Kaaterskill Falls and the fact that $1.25 million has been spent just to make the area safer for tourists?
- A story about the most dangerous tourist attraction in the US.
The spinoff story idea that I would probably pursue would be the first one. I know there are many incidents of people getting injured while trying to jump in on the newest social media challenge. I think it would be interesting to explore these incidents more in depth and get the public’s opinion.
If it was me, I would go with narcicism. This is related to your first idea, I think, because people now seem willing to take extraordinary risks just for a moment of fame. What’s that about?