Fidget spinners: Harmless fun or the end of society as we know it?

~ nickc324

After reading and hearing a lot about fidget spinners recently, I decided to take the responsible action of testing one out.

And then I tested it some more.

And then I continued my thorough examination.

And when I was asked to return it, I continued to spin it, balance it and watch it spin around and around and around because fidget spinners are the bee’s knees of today’s toys.

I will go out on a limb here and admit that I love fidget spinners. I realize that adults enjoy making fun of them, but these toys are extremely amusing and satisfying. The only problem I have with them is when I am asked to give one back.

After finally getting one at home over the weekend, I also received a free one at work this week.

Needless to say, that was not my most productive day at work, unless you count finally getting the fidget spinner to spin for a long time on my finger as progress.

I should add that a day at the office where someone gives away fidget spinners is just begging employees to not get much done. Why not just let puppies run around the offices? It’s like the day when everyone is filling out NCAA tournament brackets or taking part in holiday parties. The only difference is that fidget spinners are even more fun.

2017-09-21 22.22.32I am fascinated by the sounds they make spinning, the fact that they can spin for so long and the way you can balance them on your fingers. My stepdaughter can balance them on her nose and forehead, too. I am extremely proud and jealous of her.

I must learn to spin it on the bump on my forehead soon!

I often hear adults making fun of the craze, but I don’t quite understand it. Didn’t they have tops and yo-yos as a child? How is a fidget spinner much different? What about those spinning wheel toys? Those were even more pointless than the fidget spinners, but lots of people had them.

I nearly always carried around a super ball with me in high school and college just so I could throw it against walls when I was bored. I wish I would have had a fidget spinner back then, I just don’t understand what people have against them.

Are they concerned that fidget spinners are gateway spinners that lead to more dangerous spinning toys like ninja stars or merry-go-rounds?

Are they worried children will spend too much time on them? Do they really think these are worse than cell phones, the internet or television?

Here are a few positives about fidget spinners:

  • They are low in calories.
  • They improve your focus of looking at spinning things.
  • No litter box or sticky mess!
  • Surely they can teach something about physics, geometry or patience.
  • I can’t find any politics involved with them so far.
scooter spinner
Even our dog Scooter loves the fidget spinner

My stepdaughter says I like “basic” items like fidget spinners, and I would have to agree, even though I am not exactly sure what that means.

For example, on her phone she has a “pop socket,” which is another astounding invention. The pop socket is this little knob thing that sticks (I don’t know how) onto the back of her phone, and then it pops in and out. It can be used to hold up the phone so it is easier to watch videos or listen to music, it can be used to carry the phone, and hers even has a Captain America shield look to it, which makes it even better.

I am planning to buy a pop socket soon, just as long I don’t have to ask for one in the store, because that would be too embarrassing.

My stepson is not particularly impressed with my love of fidget spinners and I imagine there are a few other people out there who don’t share my fascination with the spinning toys.

That does not bother me at all, though. In fact, I’m relieved by the fact that they won’t be asking to borrow my fidget spinner. I must keep spinning it! I’m determined to have it spinning on that bump on my forehead before my next workday is over.

23 thoughts on “Fidget spinners: Harmless fun or the end of society as we know it?”

  1. Ha, ha. I can just imagine what our office would be like if fidget spinners were handed out. They seem almost as fun as bubble wrap. Except that you probably can’t be hypnotized by staring at bubble wrap – perhaps there’s a conspiracy afoot?

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  5. Okay, you got me. I am not a fidget spinner fan, and now feel like an adult-ish. To your point…I don’t play with a spinner at my desk, but I do play with a Rubik’s cube (just twisting and turning it with no goal in sight) and I toss a baseball between my hands. Granted, I don’t have to balance these, and I feel they take less coordination to put down than a spinner…I just know I’ll screw that thing up and knock my noggin with it.

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    1. That’s pretty funny, I had not thought of injuring myself with a fidget spinner yet. I did used to have a magnet thing on my desk at work and I was constantly messing with that, and tossing a baseball is fun, too. Thanks for commenting, and good luck with that Rubik’s cube, they are fun to move around, even though I have no idea how to solve them.

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  7. In other words I need to get myself a fidget spinner 😂 or I could just confiscate my son’s fidget spinner (muhaha muhaha) yeah that’s a plan!!! #nickc324 bubble wrap is my go to option as well. Get a role role it out and run over it for an extra tactile experience!

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  8. My son who has always been fidgety loves his and now that he has his Masters Degree in Social Work and works with quite a few kids that have attention problems he finds them useful in working with them. They can spin them and still focus on him so they are useful not just fun! An office full of puppies does sound like fun though!

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    1. Thanks! I do love that they are designed to help children with attention problems, and I’m glad to hear they are helping your son’s class. I enjoy fidgeting with them, too. I can’t stop spinning them on my desk some days.

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  9. My office is at home and there are two puppies running around, constantly asking to go out or in, and begging for desk treats. I admit I’m to blame for starting that last one.

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    1. That’s funny. My dog always comes up and begs for treats when I sit down at my desk to work. I am also to blame, as I will let him outside or give him a treat so that I can write for a little while after that. Your office sounds tough, but fun.

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  10. This was hilarious. I also love fidget spinners. And since there are no toys allowed in my class, I have something to entertain me during nap time LOL!

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  11. Have you tried the fidget cube? I have one at work and it’s awesome fun to play with when I’m being yelled at over the phone. I believe it’s kept me from yelling back once or twice 🙂 I will also say that my office allows dogs. And yes, puppies sprinting about the office is SUPER distracting. And adorable. There was a whole staff meeting where a puppy was licking my foot. I have no idea what was discussed during it. Fidget spinners are, indeed, baby food when compared to puppies.

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